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Table of Contents
Partners in Ministry (to the Children's Pastor) Part 2
By Lon Flippo and J. D. Watson
Dear Children's Pastor:
With duties ranging from preparing great theological orations each Sunday to unstopping the nursery toilet plugged by a toddler trying to give a doll a bath, my job as senior pastor is perhaps one of the most unique job portfolios of any occupation known to man. Quite possibly, though, your job as children's pastor equals mine in its uniqueness. But as a team we hold tremendous potential in fulfilling the mission of winning the lost and making disciples.
I have served as a children's pastor and senior pastor. From each vantage point there is a drastically different view of ministry. As senior pastor, I understand the many issues that are important to the overall health of the church. I believe every children's pastor needs to know and understand these issues if he or she is going to be an effective team member.
An essential component in the mission of winning the lost and making disciples is the vision God places in the senior pastor's heart for the church and community. As children's pastor, you have the responsibility to help fulfill the pastor's vision. We need to spend time together in prayer and in open communication so your vision stays in harmony with the overall vision of the church. We need to work together in this process. Without exception, these two visions should always complement each other.
Financing the children's ministry can often create dilemmas for both the senior and the children's pastor. As children's pastor, you may feel your children's ministry is being overlooked in the budgetary process. Many churches believe that adequately funding children's ministry is a high priority. But there are those who do not. It can be frustrating to not have adequate financing for your children's program.
You may feel your ministry is limited by the amount of money you have in your budget and this lack of funding will hinder your fulfilling your vision. This ought not to be. Our God has no limitations on the finances we need to reach the children in our community. I have learned one thing about God; what He ordains, He will finance.
In our personal finances, we live by faith and trust God to provide for our families. Should we approach our church finances differently? When your dreams and goals are larger than your budget, give them to God to finance. Don't limit your ministry by the amount of cash in the general fund. God desires to bless children. He will provide the finances for any church that dares to believe Him for help in ministry to children.
Staffing is another one of your concerns. The senior pastor may have hundreds of adults who flock to the main sanctuary each Sunday. But staffing for children's ministry is not always easy. The nursery requires a two-to-one staffing ratio; fourth grade an eight-to-one ratio. This means that children's ministry needs a large number of volunteers. Unfortunately, very few children's programs have an overabundance of volunteers. It is often the opposite; classes are understaffed, or not staffed at all. Some children's pastors are in a perpetual recruiting campaign. They are constantly analyzing the current and future staffing needs of each class.
As pastors, we understand that God has assembled a complete body of believers in each local church. He has sent or is sending someone to perform each needed task in every area of ministry. However, these people may not yet know what task they need to perform. If people don't know a need exists, they can't meet it. Part of your job is to present your staffing needs to the church. The telephone, bulletin, church newsletters, parent information sheets, and personal contacts are effective ways to recruit new workers. Let the people know; flood them with opportunities to serve God's kids.
But recruiting workers is not enough; they must also be trained. As a children's pastor, you must be diligent in training your staff. Every volunteer in children's ministry must be given unlimited opportunities to be equipped for the ministry to which he or she has been called. Someone once said, "You get what you train." If you want great Sunday school teachers, Missionettes leaders, Royal Ranger commanders—train them. Training is an important part of ministry; sadly, it is often overlooked.
To be a successful trainer you must stay current with the cutting edge of ministry yourself. You will need to be a student of trends in children's ministry. Read children's ministry publications, network with other children's pastors, and attend training seminars to stay abreast of the latest in children's ministry. Make a training investment in yourself and the lives of your staff; it will pay dividends in the lives of your children.
Every community has children who must be reached with the gospel. The children's pastor—whether full- or part-time, paid, or volunteer—is an incredible tool in the hands of God to reach and disciple these children. Sometimes there is a tendency to feel children's ministry is not important. But it is. Children's ministry is one of the most important ministries of the church. Eighty-five percent of all who accept Jesus as Savior do so before they are 18 years of age.
When asked about your place in the Kingdom, don't respond with your hand over your mouth, and in a muffled voice say, "I'm just a children's pastor." Throw back your shoulders and with deep conviction declare that you hold one of the most important jobs that the Father has created. Tell them, "I am a children's pastor." Be proud that God has called you to minister to His children.
For Christ and Kids,
Your Fellow Servant
J.D. Watson is senior pastor of New Life Assembly of God, Lewistown, Montana.
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