essentials of children’s ministry, for a convention

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Essentials of

Children’s Ministry:Helpful tips for those involved in children’sministry

By: Michael Gomulka

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Get Volunteers!

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What’s the big deal?

This is not just a children’s ministry but a

calling, it is a task with eternal

consequences where you either have achoice to advance God’s kingdom or not.

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Calling

Before you roll up your sleeves and startto climb the mountain, make sure that you

are called into it otherwise you will fail andthe people you serve will be disappointedand discouraged

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How do I know I’m called?

Before I formed you in the womb I knewyou, And before you were born I

consecrated you; I have appointed you aprophet to the nations Jer 1:5 (NASB)

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Here are some tips to recognize

the call by Boe Parrish Faithfully serve your employer and your

lay ministry

Involve your spouse in the decisionprocess early on

Listen to God’s voice and receive His

peace and direction

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Cont.

Spend plenty of time in prayer and seekingGod before going forward

Hold on to the Word that says, “For God’sgifts and His call are irrevocable” (Romans

11:29 (NIV)

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Recruitment

Rule of thumb: Do not get people into aposition just because you need to fill in an

empty space!

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PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THANPROGRAMS

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Next few slides will be a summary ofrecruiting and “volunteers that stick” by

Jim Wideman

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Creating a “volunteers welcome”

culture Have fun

Get their needs met

Hang out with them

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What do you believe about

volunteers? 4 truths God has promised to meet all your needs

Every Christian is called to do ministry

Every Christian has at least one gift to

share

Every Christian has a particular function inthe body of Christ

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Volunteer Careers

We bring right volunteers on board

We let people do what God’s wired them

to do

We notice volunteers and keep noticingthem

We provide growth opportunities

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Right people, right places, right

time, right reasons Don’t get wrong people because:

a. they take forever to train

b. They often don’t do a very good job

c. they keep the right people fromparticipating

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Recruiting like Jesus Recruited

Jesus demonstrated enthusiasm

Jesus recruited by vision

Jesus made everything a matter of prayer-including recruitment

Jesus took his time to fill the roster

Jesus instituted a draft Jesus seized opportunities

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Cont.

Jesus talked about rewards

Jesus reacquired commitment, not just

sacrifice

Jesus went after good people

Jesus let his volunteers do recruiting

Jesus demonstrated how to do ministry

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Cont.

Jesus coached and corrected volunteers

Jesus expected results

Jesus entered into a relationship with his

volunteers

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Job description; code of conduct

Every volunteer must be in agreement withour church’s tenets of faith

People must be members of our churchand have attended for at least six monthsbefore volunteering

Volunteers must be willing to make aminimum of six months commitment

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Cont.

Volunteers must be loyal to the pastor andleaders of the church

Volunteers must be faithful to their assignedpositions

Volunteers must live a separated Christian life

Volunteers must attend all worker’s meetings

and work-shops

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Cont.

Volunteers must be faithful in attendingregular services

Volunteers must give at least 3 daysnotice if they know they’ll be absent

Volunteers must be at their designated

post thirty minutes before services start

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Cont.

Volunteers must be neat in their appearance

Volunteers must complete appropriate training

courses required in their area of ministry Volunteers’ home lives must be in order 

Volunteers must give thirty days’ notice when

resigning a position

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Interview and placement

Interviews let you nudge volunteers in theright direction

Interviews let you minister to potentialvolunteers

Interviews give you permission to do

background screening

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Cont.

Interviews let you understand volunteers’

motives

Interviews help you refer volunteers

Interviews get the right people into theright jobs

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Get your interview ready

Decide where you’ll refer problems

Determine where you’ll keep information

Identify a place to do interviews

Create a standard interview form

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Placement process

Children’s ministry volunteer application

The In-Person interview

Offer…or not Follow up after interview

Following up again in two months

Following up one month before the end ofthe term service

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Cont.

Celebrate longevity in service

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Orientation, training and evaluation

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Things to cover at formal

orientation: Your ministry’s vision statement and

mission statement

History of your church and children’sministry

Basic logistics

The organizational chart

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Cont.

Safety information

Communication

Performance expectations

Handling of money

Distribution and review of orientationhandbooks

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Essentials by: Craig Jutila

PATH

Passion

Attitude

Team work

Honor

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Kids remember us by what we do not by whatwe say

It is important to smile and have a passionateattitude

We should treat children’s ministry as a goal and

not a stepping stone

We need volunteers, we cannot do it byourselves

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It is important to take a rest if we feel as if weare burning out

It is better to run out of breath than lose yourmind

We must prepare for ministering to hurting kids

Children’s ministry involves not only kids but

also their parents as well

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We might be the only Jesus that thesekids might ever see

It is a privilege to minister to children

Children’s ministry is a stewardship

As soon as we fall we must get up and

keep on going, obstacles are only stairs tothe main goal

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We must be transparent with people

We must keep our promises

Honor is to be protected at all cost

We need a vision and goals

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Keys to remember by Boe Parrish

We must recognize our calling

People are more important than programs

We must recruit volunteers

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Set up a children’s council

Greet the children

Children’s ministry is not a means but a

goal

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Reward your volunteers

Be submissive to your pastor

Think of ways to multiply the ministry

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Come up with fund raising strategies

Let the volunteers lead, let them do their

 job

Equip the volunteers

Keep your spouse up to date with your

goals and vision

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Be creative with themes like:

Who Will Teach the Children?

Make a Difference in the Next Generation

Serving in Preschool/Children’s Ministry

Can Change a Life Forever

Will You Be the Light of His Love to a

Child?

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Publicity options include:

Bulletin boards, signs and special interestdisplays

Announcements in bulletins, brochures and

church newsletters Events: Children's Day or a Children’s

Emphasis Week/Month Media: video and slide presentations

Testimonies of parents and teachers Drama, skits and dialogues

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Additional ideas include:

Conduct prospective leader training classes.

Review the church directory and church

membership rolls. Encourage current leaders to brainstorm names.

Observe participants in adult ministry activities.

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Helping Preschoolers Get Ready

for "Big Church"

1. Use the Bible Often2. Demonstrate Worship Activities

3. Plan a "Show and Tell" Activity4. Take Children to a Portion of theWorship Service5. Encourage Parents

6. Be a Child Advocate

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Job Descriptions for Childhood

Ministry Growing Christian Called by God to teach Church member Loves children

Willing to plan Teachable Flexible Team player Understands child development Committed to the Sunday School Strategy

Cooperative Sense of humor Likes being with children

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Screening Procedures for

Childhood Ministry Involve all ministerial staff, church leaders and appropriate

committees in researching and educating themselves regarding thismatter.

Consult your church's attorney for help in all aspects of the

screening process, including the questions you ask, the forms youuse and the confidential records you maintain.

Consult with your insurance company. Build church awareness and support through presentations, printed

information and discussion groups.

Document official church action regarding policies and procedures.

Encourage all ministers and staff members to undergo the screeningprocess to set a positive example for others.

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The Screening Process

You will need release forms signed by all teachers permitting you toconduct reference, background, and criminal checks.

Contact all references and complete the background checks prior tothe personal interview. You will need written documentation of

contacts you make with references and information you discuss inthe personal interview.

During the personal interview, document the person's responsesregarding his Christian testimony, special interests in working withchildren, past teaching and volunteer experience, interest inreceiving training and other related information.

All of this information is confidential and must be kept filed in asecure area.

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Helpful Websites

http://www.cmbookmarks.com/  http://mintools.com/children-resources.htm http://www.luthersem.edu/cyf/children/  http://www.livingstreams.org.sg/childrenpastor/li

nks.html http://www.childrensministry.com/  http://www.childrensministry.org/  http://www.childrensministry.net/  http://www.wdbydana.com/childministry.html

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http://www.kidology.org/ 

http://www.childrensermons.com/sermons.htm

http://www.ebibleteacher.com/children/  http://www.moodychurch.org/ministries/children/l

inks.html

http://www.childrensministry.org/content/lessonh

elps.htm http://www.pray.org/children/kidresources.asp

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