What an exciting new challenge you have undertaken! When you’re called to the position of Children’s Pastor, Children’s Ministry Coordinator, or Director of Children’s Ministry, this new role is a wonderful blessing. It is also a lot of responsibility to take on. The best way to begin any new adventure is one step at a time, day by day. We are providing a 6-step New Kid Pastor Checklist that you can take in the next 6 months to begin your journey. And congrats, by the way!
Month 1: Explore the Trails that Have Already Been Blazed before You!
Just like hikers get out a map to learn the path already set before them, a new Kid Pastor can begin month 1 by doing the same. You may be coming in with some wonderful, fresh ideas. Take some time to learn about the current children’s ministry program that is in place and set up meetings with previous leaders and current volunteers to hear how the church is already doing things. Find out what is working and what needs some improvement.
Another great tool is connecting with other local churches and meeting with their Children’s Ministry Directors. It’s wonderful to get a tour and see how their programs are designed. Getting a feel for what is working for them will provide valuable wisdom. There is nothing wrong with blazing your own trail, but if someone has already created a well-oiled machine, they can save you a lot of hard work and mistakes. Visiting other churches is also a fantastic way to network, and it’s beneficial for the future. Each church makes up the bigger church of God’s people worldwide. There are many opportunities you can join together in outreach programs, hosting a Vacation Bible School together, or meeting regularly with other church pastors for mentorship and encouragement. You can unite with one another with the common goal of spreading the gospel.
Month 2: Fill Your Backpack with the Resources Needed
When backpackers have checked out the maps and decided their direction, the next step is to prepare. Similarly, a children’s pastor can spend much of month 2 building up valuable resources. After learning what is working and what improvements need to be made to the current children’s program, it’s time to create a list to make these changes.
One resource that is always needed in a children’s ministry is volunteers. Networking, inviting new volunteers, and meeting together to discuss common goals will help set the tone for where the ministry is heading. Another important item is safety measures. It may be time to gather the supplies needed to make necessary updates. Perhaps you are giving your ministry a new name, look, or are reorganizing the space. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate the budget. Taking time to prepare carefully will be extremely helpful as you move forward. After all, a backpack without a canteen of water can make for a lousy trip. So, before you move ahead too quickly, give yourself time to develop a well-equipped Kid Ministry.
Month 3: Take Your First Steps into the Wilderness!
Month 3 is when you’ll take some of your first steps. This is when those changes can begin to be implemented. This is when you can invite your congregation into the exciting new happenings of your children’s ministry. Heading out into uncharted territory can be intimidating. This is where our faith comes into play when leading ministry in the church. It may feel like you are stepping out into the wilderness, and you might get a few complaints, just like Moses did when the people were inconvenienced by the change that was occurring. However, we aren’t alone and can lean on God and one another for support.
It's important to communicate as you prayerfully invite the church into your journey. Invite parents to a meeting so you can join together in creating the best ministry possible for the kids. Keep the congregation up-to-date on events, needs, and how they can pray for the ministry. Create opportunities for multi-generations to come together in the church for events and ministry projects to help the church be united. Also, as you take your first few brave steps, it's helpful to remember why you are doing it. What is the reason you are serving these kids? Before you make a final decision, measure your choices up to God’s word and pray for his direction, guidance, and grace for the trip-ups that will inevitably happen because we are only human. Any hiker will tell you that they occasionally trip on roots or slip on wet rocks as they go on the trail.
Month 4: Climb That Mountain
This is where the hard work comes into play. The slow and steady. It’s time to climb that mountain. As we said before, there will be trip-ups and mistakes. Your aim as the new children’s coordinator is not to be perfect. It’s to do your best, and when you do make a mistake, to humbly admit it. Congregations don’t look for perfect performances. They look for a willing heart, a humble servant, and someone who won’t give up when things get challenging. When the mountain gets steep, it’s okay to take a break, stop, breathe, and spend time filling back up with that sandwich you packed. Your daily bread is the Bible and prayer time. There is nothing more important than this time with the Lord. Sacrificing that time to finish tasks off your checklist is like climbing a mountain without nourishment. Eventually, you will become injured, exhausted, or emotionally broken down.
Forming healthy habits at the beginning of your journey as a children’s pastor will set the tone for the remainder of your career. Month 4 can become burnout month if you aren’t careful. Creating a calendar that schedules your time honestly and effectively is a tangible way to begin a healthy habit. Writing in a time for your daily devotions is a helpful way to be sure it doesn’t get missed. If you notice anything out of balance on your schedule, reorder it to provide a healthy balance between personal, social, family, and work time. If you want to be here for the long haul and create a wonderful, lasting ministry, put your relationship with God as your number one…even before your work. When we put God in the center, He helps us with every other area of our lives.
Month 5: Find a Friends Along the Way
A backpacker often makes friends on the trail. They might meet at a camp and decide to take some of the journey together. Two are better than one. It can provide pleasant conversation, a friend when you need help and combined knowledge. One hiker might know what plants and berries are safe to gather, while another might have the gift of hunting. The same is true in church ministry. We need one another and can look to one another for support.
Month 5 is a great time to build friendships with your coworkers. Everyone has different skills, gifts, ideas, and creativity. Take time to meet with one another, make plans together, and create a unity that lasts. Establishing a weekly, biweekly, or monthly meeting creates a way to build one another up and receive wisdom and advice. This may include reaching out to leaders of other local churches when working towards a common goal. Remember, it’s not a one-man show. We are all on God’s team!
Month 6: Take in the View!
At the 6th month mark, it’s time to take in the view. Maybe you’ve just finished leading your first ministry event, established a new program, tried out a new curriculum, or begun a new children’s outreach. Whatever place you are at, it’s time to evaluate. After a backpacker climbs to the top of the mountain, he often stops to take in the view. It’s a lot of work to get there. Hikers don’t usually rush down the other side until they’ve had a chance to gaze down and see where they’ve come from. Take some time to notice your progress. Take some time to get feedback from volunteers, parents, and coworkers. Decide what’s working and what additional changes need to be made. Ask yourself important questions like: Is the direction we are going the direction we set out to go? Maybe you got a little lost; there’s nothing wrong with checking your map, finding a way to gather more supplies, and returning to the correct trail. It’s not always easy to take criticism, but when you remember that you aren’t setting out on this journey to be perfect, you can remind yourself again why you are doing this. Creating a regular reflection rhythm every 6 months will help you stay on the right path.
We hope this new kid pastor checklist helps you in your first six months and gives you a great start as a new kid Pastor!