The Key Skills Needed to Lead a Children's Ministry

I believe leading a children's ministry in a local church is one of the most challenging jobs in the entire church.

Besides the Pastor, no one in the church interacts with and impacts more people than the children's ministry leader.

Think about it. You interact with babies, pre-schoolers, and elementary kids. You impact the middle schoolers and high schoolers who serve in the ministry. You interface with parents and grandparents. You lead the senior adults who serve in your ministry. You lead adult volunteers.

It takes some key skills to be able to lead a children's ministry effectively. Let's talk about some of the most important ones.

DISCIPLINE

It takes discipline to lead a children's ministry. First and foremost, you must be able to discipline yourself. Paul said it like this in I Corinthians 9:2...

"I DISCIPLINE my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."

The demands are simply too much for a person who can't or won't discipline themselves first. Look what Paul told Timothy as he prepared him for ministry.

"Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you."

Before you can lead others, you must first lead yourself well. You must discipline yourself to walk with God. You must discipline yourself to walk your talk. You must discipline yourself to avoid temptation. You must discipline yourself to be a solid leader.

If you do not learn to discipline yourself first, you will stumble and fall trying to help other people. It's vital that you have accountability and people who speak into your life.

There have been several prominent pastors this year who've had to step down from their ministry due to immorality or other shortcomings. Don't be that person. Discipline yourself and put walls of protection around you.

If you don't discipline yourself in these matters, it's just a matter of time until you fold as a leader. First and foremost you must have discipline to lead a children's ministry.

DEVELOPMENT