RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Want to help your volunteers get off to a good start?  Make sure they know these 5 things.

The mission. 
Go beyond "what" they will be doing and explain "why" they will be doing it.  Volunteers want to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Explain the mission of the ministry and they will put their heart into their role.

The basic essentials.
What time to be there.  What to do when they can't be there.  Safety and security guidelines.  Attire.  etc.

Who they report to.
The person who will be investing in them and helping them grow in their role.

What they will be doing.
A job description for their role.

What the wins are for the role.
What does success look like?  How do they know they are doing a good job?

Your turn.  What else do new volunteers need to know?  Share with us in the comment section below.

ADHD is marked by attention problems and impulsive behavior.

A recent report shows the number of children being diagnosed with ADHD is on the rise.

About 11 percent of children in the United States between the ages of 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with the condition at some point.  (6.4 million)

Boys (13.2%) are more likely than girls (5.6%) to be diagnosed with ADHD.  But I didn't have to tell you that.  If you've ever taught a 3rd grade boys' class, you already knew that.

The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7 years of age.

But imagine creating an environment where kids with ADHD can effectively discover Biblical truth and grow in their faith.  Take these steps and you'll see it happen.

Establish a relationship with the child's parents.  Learn about their child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests and achievements.  Ask what teaching methods have been most effective with their child. Communicate often and send encouraging notes home.

Build a relationship with the child.  When you show the child compassion and he/she knows you care, he/she will respond to you much better.

Connect with the child and let them set up a "secret" cue that you can use with them if they get off task.  It could be a hand signal, a sound, a touch on the shoulder, or some other cue.  Let the child decide what the cue will be.

Keep instructions simple and structured.

Don't just use lecture-style teaching.  Include various kinds of learning activities such as competitive games or other activities that are rapid and intense.

Use props, charts, and visual aids when teaching.

Allow the child to take breaks as needed.

Give the child a physical outlet such as squeezing a ball.

Have the child sit near the front on the outside of the rows.   This way, if they move, they won't bother others.  

Use rewards instead of punishment.  Kids with ADHD are constantly told "no."  Instead use positive reinforcement.

Don't engage in power struggles with the child.  When you do...no one wins.

Avoid criticizing the child in front of others.
 
Divide the lesson into short segments.  This helps honor their very short attention span. 

Seat the child in an area that has the least amount of distractions. (windows, doors, etc.)

What are your suggestions for connecting with kids with ADHD?  

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
inSha

Mistakes are opportunities to learn.  But it's better to not make the mistakes in the first place.

Here's 10 common mistakes Children's Ministry Leaders make.  How do I know?  I've made them all.

Not providing feedback. 
When you don't provide your staff and volunteers with feedback, you are depriving them of an opportunity to improve.

Knowing how to give feedback properly is an art that can be learned.  Read about how to give effective feedback here.

Not making time for your team.
It's easy to get so caught up with the "tasks" that must be accomplished, that you don't make time for people. 

Spend time with the people on your team.  Listen to them.  Pray with them.  Invest in them.  Great leadership is about people first.

Being too "hands off."
In an effort to avoid being a micro-manager, many Children's Ministry Leaders pull away too far and don't provide clear direction and guidance.  Find the balance of empowering others while providing leadership.

Not defining goals and wins. 
When your team doesn't know what they're working toward or what success looks like, they'll lose purpose and passion.  Define clear goals and wins for the entire team as well as for individual positions.

Trying to lead by title.
People don't follow a title.  They follow someone they love and respect.  Don't assume just because you have a title you will be effective.  Forget the title and love, care for, and invest in people.  People will then be drawn toward your leadership.

Being a thermometer instead of a thermostat.
Don't measure the spiritual temperature of your team.  Set the spiritual temperature for your team.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.  Lead.

Not "walking the talk."
Your team doesn't expect you to be perfect, but they do expect you to sincerely practice what you preach.  And when you blow it...admit it, shoulder the responsibility, and ask for their forgiveness.  Their respect for you will grow.

Not delegating.
Delegating does take more work up front, but it pays huge dividends.  It's not what you can do, it's what you can empower others to do.  If you don't learn to delegate, you will become the lid that hinders your ministry from growing. 

Not developing your "people skills."
Ministry is about people.  If you don't learn how to interact with people, navigate conflict, and get along with people....you will struggle in Children's Ministry.  Good people skills will help you build long lasting relationships with your team members.

Making change a surprise instead of a process.
People don't like change...especially if they don't see it coming.  Many zealous Children's Ministry Leaders make changes too quickly and their ministry implodes.  Effectively making change is a process.  It takes skill and wisdom.

Your turn.  What are some other common mistakes do we make as Children's Ministry Leaders?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.