Pastors, 3 things your children’s ministry workers need to hear this year

Children’s ministry can be a crucial part of a church’s mission. Not only can it create space for parents to learn and grow, it also offers a great environment for children to hear the Bible and interact with the good news that Jesus came to save sinners.

Pastors know that children’s ministry doesn’t happen automatically — a team of men and women are serving, praying, and planning so that kids in your church can learn in a safe and fun environment.

As you plan for the new year, here’s three things every pastor needs to tell their children’s ministry workers in 2023:

1. Your work matters.

This isn’t childcare or babysitting, so that the grown-ups can get to the “real ministry.” Our children’s ministry workers are serving on the frontlines of real ministry with real people who really need Christ.

In many churches, the children’s ministry is the largest concentration of non-Christians at any point in the week. This is an incredible opportunity and the volunteers working to make it happen need to be reminded that, through all the broken crayons and temper-tantrums, their work really matters.

2. Kids need Christ.

They don’t just need good moral lessons. They don’t just need entertainment. They don’t just need a good time. They need to know Jesus.

Remind your children’s ministry workers of the urgency of this message. Encourage them to work for God’s approval, not the approval of middle school boys. Equip your volunteers to give children something that they can’t get anywhere else — real freedom from sin and death.

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3. I am here to help.

No one wants to feel alone in ministry, but often children’s ministry workers feel isolated, especially in churches where serving means they miss all or part of the main worship service.

Tell your children’s ministry workers that their work is important for the mission of the church. Their sacrifice is meaningful and doesn’t go unnoticed. Simple words of affirmation can go a long way towards equipping people to endure in children’s ministry.

But don’t just tell them that they’re doing a good job — offer to help. Are there new resources they need? How can you help recruit more volunteers? Do they need help working through difficult situations on the volunteer team or in the classroom? Are there urgent needs that you can pray for?

Offer to help, and then follow through. Commit yourself to encouraging, equipping, and praying for your children’s ministry volunteers this year.