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Kids Ministry

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Kids Ministry

Teaching in a Multi-Language Setting

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Our churches are becoming more diverse. For some children in our ministries, English isn’t their first or only language. We have an opportunity to reach them and their families while they are in our classes. Use the following tips as you teach children.

  1. Build relationships with the child and parents. Make an effort to regularly contact him or her. Share your story of how God called you to teach. Ask questions to get to know the child and his family. By building the connection with the child and family, you develop trust. Your actions communicate care for the child and that you enjoy the child being in your class.
  2. Create and develop a visual schedule. Children need and enjoy a schedule or routine. The visual schedule will help them know what to expect during the day and the activity that will happen next. If the child is a preschooler, find or take pictures of items to represent the activities during the class time. For a child able to read, consider using words with pictures or words only. It may be helpful to make the visuals in English and the child’s first language.
  3. Learn the most helpful way to communicate with the child. As you build a relationship with the child and parents, ask questions and most importantly, listen. Listen for clues for how the child learns best. Learn some common phrases in the child’s first language. Consider using a church member who speaks the child’s same language as a resource. 
  4. Alter activities as needed. Use the curriculum as a guide. As activities are selected for each teaching session, you may need to alter them to help all children have the best learning experience. It can be something as simple as including the child’s first language along with English on cards, games, or other visuals.

These tips are beneficial for all children, regardless of what language they speak. We know all children have the same basic needs. However, each child is unique, the way God created him or her. Our task as teachers is to consistently teach boys and girls the Bible in a way they can learn and understand.

Kids Ministry, Volunteers

3 Ways to Connect with Kids Ministry Leaders

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No doubt these last several weeks in ministry have been challenging. We’re discovering new ways to minister and lead while not meeting in person. As you’re creating and discovering new ways to minister. I encourage you to connect with your leaders. They may need your encouragement and ministry more now than ever before. Consider the following ways to connect with your kids ministry leaders during this time.

Communicate with Them: Your leaders need to hear from you. Be careful not to overload them with information, but to communicate important church information. Keep the information concise. Don’t assume they’ll “hear” it from social media, other emails, or another way.

Encourage Them: We all need encouragement. With the feelings of anxiousness, uncertainty, and fear, we need to be reminded God is in control and we can trust Him. The leaders need to know you care for them and you’re praying for them. Send a text, an email, a video message, a note in the mail or use video conferencing. Share a Bible verse and include a word of encouragement. Use this time to become closer to one another.

Equip Them: Even if you’re unable to meet in person, you can still equip your kids ministry leaders. Equip them spiritually. Offer suggestions for digital Bible studies, devotionals, and links to worship music. Equip them as teachers. Suggest articles and podcasts on kidsministry101.com. This free website shares practical helps for kids ministry leaders. Share with them ideas of ways they can connect with the kids in their classes. See this article for ideas on connecting with families. Additionally, share ways teachers can use digital platforms to connect with kids and their families. In doing this, it’s imperative your teachers have access to their students’ contact information, such as child’s name, parents’ name, phone number, email, and mailing address.

During this time, find ways to intentionally connect with your leaders. We’ve been given an opportunity to minister to our leaders as well as to the kids and families in our churches. Communicate, encourage and equip your leaders. In what other ways do you plan to connect with your team?

Leadership, Volunteers

Lessons Learned Through Enlisting Volunteers

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It seems no matter the size of the church, the greatest challenge for kids ministry leaders is enlisting volunteers. Many times, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by “filling a slot” rather than recruiting individuals to serve the Lord through teaching. In my years of enlisting teachers in kids ministry, I learned the following valuable lessons.

1. Pray and Listen. Prayer is imperative before, during, and after the enlistment process. Pray, believing God will give you the names of people to ask. Pray in confidence. Pray you would see people the way God sees them. Look to see their potential. Be open for what He wants to teach you through this process.

2. Know the Vision. Before we can ask others to pray about teaching in kids ministry, we must know and understand our vision. Why do you believe kids ministry is important? How does it make a difference in the church? Why would someone want to join our teaching team? What is our desired goal for our leaders, the kids, and ministry? Spend time developing or reviewing your vision for ministry. We have to know and understand our vision before we can communicate it effectively.

3. Communicate and Ask. People need to know the why (the vision) before they can understand and say yes to the what (teaching in kids ministry). As God brings individuals to mind, reach out to them to schedule a time to visit in person. Ask individually rather than continuous churchwide blanket announcements. The constant announcements for teachers implies no one wants to serve in kids ministry. Share stories of how God is using teachers to minister to families. Share the joy and excitement for teaching. Make sure to communicate the expectations for teachers. Ask the potential teacher to pray about a specific teaching opportunity in a particular class.

4. Accept Their Answer. After the prospective teacher has prayed about teaching, follow up with her. It’s unrealistic to believe God will call every person you ask to teach in kids ministry. When someone says, “no” to serving, don’t take it personally. You may consider asking if she would be a substitute teacher or interested in another role in kids ministry. If the answer is “yes,” make sure to equip them with knowledge, training, and resources as they begin teaching. Also, follow your church’s policies and procedures for volunteers in kids ministry.

The enlistment of  teachers is continual. When I implemented the above strategies, I found recruiting teachers less of a chore and more of an opportunity to see God develop His call in others’ lives. Trust the Lord. He knows what we need and He is faithful to provide who we need.

Encouragement, Kids Ministry, Leadership

Taking Care of Yourself As A Leader

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As a kids minister, it’s easy to find ourselves so busy serving others that we don’t make time to care for ourselves. As a leader, it’s imperative to take care of yourself in order to lead effectively. If you’re like me, you’ve heard these reminders before (maybe even multiple times). With the new year approaching, it’s a great time for these reminders.

Take Care of Yourself Spiritually. Your relationship with Christ is the most important relationship in your life. Make sure you’re spending time reading the Bible, praying, and memorizing Scripture. Commit to attending corporate worship. Take a day each week for your Sabbath. Don’t be so busy SERVING Christ, that you aren’t BEING with Christ.

Take Care of Yourself Physically. This reminder may seem silly to some of you, but I’ve found it’s the one people most often neglect. We find ourselves going and going and going until we literally can go no more. We must guard ourselves to prevent burnout. Get adequate sleep. Schedule time to walk or run (this is a great time to pray or memorize Scripture.) Aim for nutritious selections with your food.

Take Care of Yourself Mentally. Be a lifelong learner. Read for work and pleasure. Audio books and podcasts (Kids Ministry 101) are great to listen to while commuting, especially in traffic. Carve out time for your hobby.

Take Care of Yourself Socially. As a kids ministry leader, it’s easy to find yourself isolated from adults not in kids ministry. Seek to be a part of an adult group in your church. Better yet, one that you aren’t leading. Be a part of a network with other kids ministry leaders from your area or state. It’s imperative to connect with other kids ministry leaders who understand the challenges of kids ministry. Take time to be with family and friends.

If you’re not intentional about these aspects in your life, they won’t happen. As you reflect on this past year and look to the upcoming year, take time to reflect and pray. In what ways can you take better care of yourself in order to be a better leader in kids ministry?

Kids Ministry, Leadership

Celebrate Children’s Ministry Day

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Churches throughout the Southern Baptist Convention will celebrate children’s ministry (ages birth-preteen) on Sunday, July 21, 2019. The special day was added to the Southern Baptist Convention calendar after the Executive Committee approved the motion made by a nine-year-old at the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas. This is a great day to thank God for the ministry to kids, their families and their volunteers your church provides. 

Use this day to remind kids of their importance in the church and how they can tell others about Jesus. Recognize and honor kids ministry volunteers who invest in the lives of children and their families. A variety of resources have been created for leaders to use in their church. Click here to find the downloadable items. Select and use the resources that best meet the needs of your church. How do you plan to celebrate Children’s Ministry Day in your church?

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

Crafts, Kids Ministry, Preschool, Preschoolers

Preschool Craft Activity: Create a Flower Garden Picture

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Preschool Craft Activity: Create a Flower Garden Picture

Supplies Needed:

  • Bible
  • Strips of green construction paper
  • Large sheets of construction paper
  • Various sizes of muffin cups and mini muffin cups (pastel colors preferred)
  • Large buttons (large enough not to be a choking hazard or pompoms)
  • Glue
  • Washable markers
  • scissors

Prepare:

  1. Cut the green construction paper into strips to resemble flower stems.
  2. Place the materials listed above on a table for preschoolers to use.
  3. Glue a muffin cup to an end of a green strip of paper to use as a Bible marker. Write the Bible phrase, “Jesus is alive” on the strip of paper. Place the Bible marker in the Bible at John 20:1-18.
  4. Place the Bible with Bible marker on a table with other craft materials listed above.

Teach:

  1. Encourage preschoolers to decide how many “flowers” they want to make in their garden picture. Demonstrate how to make a flower by gluing a strip of paper onto the large piece of construction paper. Then, glue a muffin cup on the construction paper at the top of the green strip of paper. If a child chooses, he can glue a button or pom-pom inside the muffin cup.
  2. Allow preschoolers to use markers to draw other things in their gardens.
  3. As the preschoolers make their garden picture, open the Bible to John 20:1-18. Share the Bible story about Mary visiting the tomb and her encounter with Jesus. Emphasize that when Mary left the garden, she was happy because she knew Jesus is alive.
  4. Remind preschoolers that Easter is a happy time and can remind us that Jesus is alive and He loves them.
  5. Discuss with preschoolers how they can know Jesus loves them.

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Teacher Appreciation

Spring Teacher Appreciation Idea

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Spring is a time for flower seeds to be planted and flowers to bloom. Use this appreciation idea to remind teachers they are planting seeds of faith in the lives of children.

Gather:

  • Find flower seed packets (select various types of flower seeds)
  • Make copies of the tags below: Thanks for planting seeds of faith in the lives of children
  • Cut out the tags and attach one to each flower packet.

As you give each leader a flower packet with tag, remind him to pray for the children he teaches as he sees the flowers grow.

Seeds of Faith Tags

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Teacher Appreciation, Volunteers

The Value of Saying Thank You

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When was the last time you received appreciation? Was it with a note, a gift, a word of encouragement, or a small gift to say “thank you”? Were you thankful someone took the time to recognize your hard work and service? Were you encouraged? Were you reminded that you make a difference? Everyone needs and values appreciation.

Merriam-Webster defines appreciation as “a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude; increase in value.” When a teacher is appreciated through an expression of admiration, she seeks to become a better teacher.  She sees the impact she’s making in the lives of the children she teaches and those she ministers to. She understands her sacrifice of time, efforts, and energy makes a difference in others’ lives.

A Kid’s Minister’s responsibilities are never-ending. You may wonder how you will be able to work appreciation into your schedule and budget. Will your efforts of appreciating teachers make a difference? The answer is YES! The Lord uses expressions of appreciation to minister and encourage those who serve.

When was the last time you appreciated those who serve in the ministry you lead? Just as you as a leader need encouraging words, volunteers need to feel appreciated as well. We as ministry leaders have a responsibility to value our leaders. Pray and commit to be intentional and value teachers by showing appreciation. Speak an encouraging word. Take time to listen. Write a handwritten note, or give a small token of appreciation. Communicate you appreciate teachers’ time, effort, and willingness to serve the Lord through kids ministry.

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership

Appreciating Volunteers During the Christmas Season

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It’s the Christmas season. That time of year we go nonstop. We have parties and events to attend, tasks to complete, gifts to buy, and most importantly our Savior’s birth to celebrate. You may have already decided on ways to honor your teachers, or you may not have had the chance to think about it. As church budgets can be tight, more and more kids ministers are looking for creative ways to say “thank you” to teachers. Consider using one of the following ideas to honor teachers this Christmas.

  1. Provide a breakfast one Sunday morning in December. Invite teachers to come early, eat breakfast, and enjoy time fellowshipping with other teachers. It’s a small way to say we remember you and appreciate you.
  2. Send a Christmas card with a handwritten note. Write a personal note in the card sharing a genuine, specific reason you appreciate them. While this may not seem much, reading a personal encouraging note can affirm teachers.
  3. Purchase classroom Bibles in honor of your leaders. There’s no more impactful gift than the Word of God. Purchasing these gifts for the classroom will not only benefit the children but the teachers, too. Find a way to let the teachers know these are being purchased in honor of them and their service.
  4. Consider giving in another way that impacts lives for the gospel such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through the International Mission Board or another ministry your church supports in the community. Make sure to communicate with the teachers about the gift given in their honor.

Can you think of any other ways you can recognize your teachers this Christmas? Remember it’s important to honor them, their time, and remind them of the opportunity they have to teach boys and girls about the most important baby ever born: Jesus! Enjoy the Christmas season!

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

Encouragement, Kids Ministry, Leadership

Leaving a Legacy: Lessons I learned from my Children’s Minister.

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In kids ministry, many times much energy and time goes into planning and executing big events. While those events are important, recently I was reminded of the significance of day-to-day ministry. Miss Libby Reynolds was the Director of the Primary Division (what we would call a Children’s Minister today) at my home church for over four decades. With her recent passing, I began to reflect on how her commitment to the day-to-day ministry impacted my life and lessons I learned from her ministry.

Keep the focus on Jesus. Miss Libby was a servant who reflected Christ in everything she did. Her relationship with Christ and following His will was most important in her life. As a result, she pointed everyone she met to Him. She saw the importance of providing a biblical and spiritual foundation for kids. Jesus was the focus of every ministry and event.

Make time for People. Miss Libby cared about people. She knew their names. She deeply loved them. She took time to visit with each and every person. 

Miss Libby visited families in their time of need. 

Additionally, she made a priority to visit with each child after he or she became a Christian.

When I was in third grade, I invited Miss Libby to a party I was having for kids in my neighborhood (the day before Easter.) Miss Libby came and even brought a beautiful cake for all of us to enjoy. 

Now as an adult and a children’s ministry leader, I realize the sacrifice she made to minister to me and my friends on one of the most important and busiest weekends of the year. She understood the importance of relationships in ministry.

Be a leader worth following. People loved to serve under Miss Libby’s leadership. She saw the potential in teachers and saw the importance of developing leaders. She was organized and continually reminded them of the vision. Teachers not only knew the how but understood the why. She invested, appreciated, and empowered leaders.

I am confident the Lord used Miss Libby to help develop His call in my life, just as He is using you to develop His call in children’s lives. Future children’s ministers, pastors, parents, missionaries, and other church leaders are in your ministry. What legacy are you leaving for the children under your leadership?

Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with LifeWay Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.

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