5 Things No One Told Me About KidMin

My dad was a Youth Pastor and I was involved with Youth Ministry throughout high school.

I went to an internship focused on Youth Ministry followed by Bible College believing I would be in Youth Ministry.

Unfortunately, the church wasn’t looking for a Youth Pastor.

They were looking for a KidMin Pastor.

My initial reaction to KidMin was filled with nightmares of kids running around screaming and breaking things.

Not realistic but this was my nightmare!

I put my disposition aside and jumped in.

I thought to myself if I can do Youth Ministry I can do KidMin!

Maybe it’s the Youth Pastor in me but I probably should have done some research into KidMin before I started.

Now, I am a KidMin convert.

In light of this, I am going to share the 5 things I wish someone would have told me about KidMin.

1. Building a team is essential.

In Youth Ministry the team easily forms because everyone wants to hang with the Youth!

In KidMin?

Not so much.

If you are going to succeed in KidMin it is going to take a team of leaders.

When I stepped into KidMin everybody quit.

It was my wife and I holding down 4 weekend services for the first month.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity I started asking my friends.

Is it fun asking people to help you in KidMin?

No, because it will have some rejection.

I like what Pastor Mark says, “the worst thing they can say is no”.

Within 6 months I had a new team of 40 people serving.

2. You need guys on your leadership team.

Let’s be honest, most people serving in Kids Ministry are woman.

I am thankful for all woman who serve in Kids Minisry.

You are a blessing, but…

Let’s get some guys involved!

Why?

We have kids in our ministries that don’t have a father or they don’t get to see them frequently.

Guys in your Kidmin can set a Godly example of what a man is suppose to be in a kids life.

So if you don’t have many guys in your KidMin start praying for them to come to you!

3. Kids can serve and become leaders too.

One of the greatest leaders I have had in KidMin wasn’t an adult or parent.

It was a teenager.

His name was Gabe, and his mom was on staff at the church.

Gabe was stuck at church for four services EVERY weekend and was looking for something to do.

Other people on staff saw Gabe as a nuisance but I saw potential.

I approached Gabe and got him involved.

By the time Gabe was 14 he was running the Audio Visuals for the main services when I had weekend takeover services with the KidMin. 

4. Be a team player on staff.

One of the biggest things I hear from fellow KidMin Pastors is they feel isolated.

My response to this is, “are you helping others on staff?”

It’s hard to feel isolated when you are involving yourself with your fellow teammates on staff.

Engage them in staff meetings, the office, and outside the church.

When you start doing this your fellow staff members will be more likely to pitch in during VBS, Summer Camp, and other high stress times of the year in your KidMin.

5. You can’t just pick ANY curriculum.

When I stepped into the KidMin they were using KidMo.

There are things I liked about Kidmo, but I didn’t like that it was doing all the work for me.

This brought me to the realization I needed to prayerfully decide the curriculum I am using my KidMin.

If I just pick any curriculum to fill my scope and sequence for the year what does that communicate to my parents, leaders, and the lead pastor?

As KidMin Pastors and leaders we’re entrusted with teaching kids the Bible, so make sure your curriculum is engaging and teaching the Bible.

There you have it.

The 5 things I wish someone would have told me about KidMin when I started.

What Do you wish someone would have told you before you started in KidMin?