I think the main question to ask is: is it ministry or is it babysitting?? At our church we value ministry. And I know that the only true supplier of workers is God. Parents are a great source to search for ministers, but not all of them are going to be a good fit. Take what you can get, and then allow God to provide the rest! Being in Children’s ministry has been a journey of faith…trusting God to provide for each service. We have never had to close the nursery….because God is faithful!

Parents are not the problem, but they can be part of the solution.

Not sure where this research came from, but last weekend I was visiting a church and the preacher said during the sermon that recently some Bible scholars have speculated that it probably wasn’t an actual “Inn” that Mary and Joseph stayed at, but more likely a relative’s house. Interesting? The Nativity story keeps changing!! First I learned that there were probably really more than 3 wise men, that they probably didn’t come for several years after Jesus’ birth, and now it wasn’t really an Inn!

After a few months, the Lord started opening up doors of opportunity to be a part of things and the ball’s been rolling ever since. and I’ve seen way to many newbies come in with their blowtorches and ruin any chance of having influence…

Glad you are enjoying your new place.

I designed my website specifically to provide the help I most wanted to find online. A place for us to do exactly as you describe, to share our experience — share what we’ve learned, share what’s worked — and what hasn’t worked — practical things like planning Christmas programs, and icebreaker games, etc. It’s been slow going. I build as I can, but it’s growing. Articles like yours reinforce what I knew from the start, that it’s something worth doing. Thank you for saying it better than I could myself.

Our Children’s Ministry is called “Victoryville Children’s Ministries” (based off Victorious Life Church)
Our Sunday Morning services are called: Treasure Seekers (4-5) & The V (6-11) Treasure Seekers is island & treasure themed, and The V is more a anything kinda theme. It can change month to month or week to week. I will title my lesson layout with a new theme. Like right now we have a theme called “Outkast, stand out and be different” and it is a deserted island theme with a crazy islander and all.
Our Wednesday Night program is called Dynamic Kids. Not so much themed out, but just a statement as to who we believe these kids are in Christ.

Thanks for the post!

Matt

Have you ever had a preschooler accidentally pray TO the dead grandparent?! aaahhh.

thanks for posting this, I was a grumpy worker today. Its nice to be reminded that I am not alone.

One of your twitter friends mentioned that they struggle with serving as children’s pastor and volunteering. I can see where that is difficult. In my setting, we are a church plant that started 3 years ago and is growing. Sometimes if feels like there’s no one to get the work done. I pray that this twitter friend will step out and delegate. It is SO hard, but it is worth it. You get to see a volunteer grow in their leadership gifts and see someone else at work in the children’s lives. We are blessed by these struggles.

I am currently the Assistant to the Pastor and the Children’s Minister at our church plant. My struggle…balance and letting go of pride. I serve in both roles under the title of Pastor’s Assistant. Sometimes I find it confuses people and I just plain deal with the struggle of not having a title that reflects what I do. (Pride) I love what I do and am so thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in such a multi-faceted way.

THANK YOU!