What I Wish I Knew Before I Started KidMin

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a KidMin Facebook group and asked this question, “If you could give some advice to a person who is new in ministry, what would it be?”

I was blown away by the answers.

So I am going to share some of them here today. Some were duplicates, some of them I edited for length. But they were all good advice!

There was a couple of Bible verses that was repeated several times by a couple of different people, Proverbs 3:5-6, which is also one of my favs. So, I made a graphic for it. I have made it in two different formats. One you can save it on your phone and it can be your phone’s background. Or you can print it out and put it somewhere. Or both!

Pro 3_5-6 Print

I want to challenge you today. Yep, that’s right – some homework.

If you are brand new to Kids Ministry I have three things you need to do:

1. Print out the Proverbs 3:5-6 Bible verse and put it somewhere where you will see it everyday.
2. Pick out one of the nuggets from the list below. This will be your goal this month.
3. Find a group of fellow KidMin peeps to help you. (We have a Facebook group, Children and The Holy Sprit. Another facebook group, I Love KidMin. Or search for a KidMin group that is based in your state. We have one that schedules monthly meet ups.)

Lets get right into the advice:

• There will come a time when you have to disappoint someone, make sure it is the right one.
• Duplicate yourself.
• Pray for God’s direction…listen to your Pastor’s instruction and be humble.
• Don’t take things personal! Remember people got upset with Jesus too. You can do this!
• You work for God, not the church. Don’t worry when others aren’t pleased as long as you feel it is pleasing to God. You can not be thin skinned and survive in the ministry. When you are doing best by Him, Satan WILL send someone to attack.
• Don’t let criticism get you down. It is impossible to please everyone. Are you called by God? Are you doing His will? Are your intentions good? Rest in those truths.
• Have fun! Seriously, if you are having fun, so will your kids, your parents, your volunteers, and your church. If you approach ministry as a job or a chore, it will feel that way to others too. Have a great time doing what God has called you too.
• Plan ahead, not just on events or classroom supplies. Be ready and solid in what you’re doing now, with growth plans built in. If you have 25 kids, treat the ministry like you have 50 so when you get 50 you won’t have to scramble.
• Give yourself 6 months to gain trust and build relationships. Then, seek to make changes where needed.
• Find your identity in Christ, not your position.
• BALANCE!!! It is possible NOT to work 987,876,767 hours a week and still get the job done. Set boundaries!!
• Strive to see people the way God sees them, give lots of grace & don’t be easily offended. Pray that God would protect your heart and that you would not get offended or become hardened and bitter! Ministry is a true calling and it is wonderful even when it is hard!
• Make sure to schedule yourself time to be in main service.
• Self care, self care, self care!!!!!!
• Get a mentor and an apprentice. Someone walking with the Lord longer than you to learn from and someone that is a newer Christian than you that you can pour into and teach.
• Read your bible and pray.
• Read leadership books to grow yourself. If you aren’t growing, your ministry and influence won’t grow either.
• Take Time to Listen … To the kids, to what others may say and Listen to what God has to say to you.
• Don’t compare yourself to those who have been in the ministry longer than you
• Learn to love recruiting…put most of your energy into this and your job will be so much easier. recruit for everything, not just volunteers for classrooms. recruit for clean up teams, team leaders, toy cleaners, people to shop for your ministry, people to keep things organized, people to clean/organize classrooms, etc…
• Be brave enough to try new things to see what works (and what doesn’t) for your unique bunch.
• When it starts to feel like too much of a burden (and it will), stop, pray, breathe and evaluate: have you taken on more than God has called you to? or, are you trying to do it out of your own strength rather than relying on the Holy Spirit?
• Surround yourself with people who are strong in areas that you are weak!
• Be a cheerleader for your ministry and your teams.
• God is your Audience
• There is freedom in preparation.
• Share your heart. Be honest with the kids. Parents sometimes can be more stressful than the kiddos are. Pray often. Ask for help. Stay in Gods Word. If it sounds like a ridiculous idea, it may just work.
• Learn how to listen and learn patience
• Relationships, relationships, relationships
• Remember why you are at this point. Times will get rough, you will want to quit, But remember that God called you and cant give up on the call.
• Don’t forget that kid’s ministry is actually fun, so don’t put yourself in a place to bogged down with so much.
• Be genuine.
• Start a record now of God’s faithfulness. Write down little and big ways that you see God at work in and through your life and ministry. Ministry is a huge blessing but there will also be days you want to quit. Looking back at God’s faithfulness helps me stay in this race!!!
• Comfortable shoes and clothes, lots of coffee and even more prayer.
• Be a leader, Love on people, pray with people, don’t be afraid of change if it makes it better, develop a great team, you will never make everyone happy, just do what God is leading you to do.
• Never surprise your senior pastor.
• There is more admin then people realize to ministry
• Planning is great but be flexible kids are unpredictable
• Your relationship with Jesus and ministry are not the same thing.
• Hang on for the fun wild ride with lots of ups and downs. But in the end God wins!
• Always have extra batteries for microphones!
• Do what only you can do and invite others to serve alongside you and do the rest!
• Pick one of the things on this list and actually do it.
• Planning is great but be flexible kids are unpredictable.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Wear a watch during services. Always have extra batteries for microphones!
• Make it a priority to be involved in a other realms of church life as well (like an evening small group adult Bible Study or other areas where you aren’t attending as a part of your job responsibilities). Also be a total team player with the other ministry staff members. By doing these things you will be less likely to struggle with feeling isolated or cut off and more like a valuable part of a healthy body.
• Don’t take criticism personal.

What stood out to you and what else would you add to this list?

We also have a brand new product, KidMin Starter Kit, that we made just for you! The person who is just starting in Kids Ministry.

Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned veteran in KidMin everyone can use a boost.

The KidMin Starter Kit has the perfect mix of encouragement, creativity, and resources you will need to run your ministry.

By reading Mark’s book, The Red Book, and teaching from The Core, you will learn the Super Church style of teaching to kids, which Mark has honed from over 40 years of ministry to kids.

Also you will find resources that will help elevate your administrative skills and keep you focused on taking your KidMin to a new level.

CLICK HERE to learn more.