Family Ministry Archives - Children's Ministry Leader

10 Phrases That Describe the Most Effective Children’s Ministry Leaders

Children’s Ministry Leaders are some of the best leaders I know. They can also some of the worst (although these you probably couldn’t really call “leaders”).

Leading perhaps the most challenging and complex ministry in the church, true success in Children’s Ministry requires effective leadership.

But what does that look like? What are the things that make up a truly effective leader of Children’s Ministry?

As I’ve worked with taught and interacted with thousands of leaders of Children’s Ministry, here is how I would describe those who are most effective: Continue Reading

How to Have a Healthy Ministry to Children in Your Church

Posted by Greg Baird

Effective ministry to children (whatever the “department” is called) is critical to a healthy church. Ministry to children impacts the church in all directions. Virtually everyone in the church is linked to ministry to children in some way or another. Parents often judge their commitment (and attendance!) to the church based on whether their kids like the… Continue Reading

7 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Lead Pastor

Posted by Greg Baird

In our last post we talked about 5 Reasons Every Staff Member Should Appreciate the Lead Pastor. Today, let’s talk about practical ways that we can actually do that… Continue Reading

5 Reasons Every Staff Member Should Appreciate the Lead Pastor

Posted by Greg Baird

Being a lead pastor is one of the most challenging positions anyone can have. It’s difficult, at best. Many (most) pastors work tirelessly with little recognition. As a leader in the church (whatever your “official” title is) you have an opportunity to express appreciation. I get it…you may have some significant challenges with your lead… Continue Reading

How to Create a Personal Growth Plan as a Children’s Ministry Leader

Posted by Greg Baird

Personal growth is one of the most important obligations of a Children’s & Family Ministry Leader (actually, of any leader). And, yes, I said “obligation”. If I have been assigned a leadership role in a church, with the goal of equipping and growing children, parents, volunteers and staff, I must be growing. If I am… Continue Reading

A Children’s Ministry Leader’s Response When Volunteers Leave

Posted by Greg Baird

Do you ever lose volunteers from your ministry? Of course you do! It’s a natural and common occurrence. Sometimes it’s people we don’t mind losing (be honest!) and sometimes we cringe when we learn of their departure. Some people can be more of a bane than a blessing: Whiners and complainers Those who refuse… Continue Reading

3 Keys to Leading Children’s Ministry as an IM-Perfect Leader

Posted by Greg Baird

We talk about leadership all the time. That’s what Children’s Ministry Leader is all about – Equipping leaders to create healthy Children’s & Family Ministry. We often quote John Maxwell’s famous mantra: Everything rises and falls on leadership. And we believe it. Leadership is talked about on numerous pastor/ministry blogs & websites. Magazines we read are full… Continue Reading

3 Thing Your Pastor Doesn’t Need You To Do as a Children’s Ministry Leader

Posted by Greg Baird

As Children’s Ministry Leaders, we are asked to do a lot in our church. It is not uncommon to be asked to take on responsibilities outside our “job description“. Often we need to work across departments to help support other things going on in the church. Many times, anything we do is done with little… Continue Reading

How To Do Family Ministry Without Having A “Family Ministry”

Posted by Greg Baird

Are you a “Children’s” Pastor or Director leading a “Children’s” Ministry, but with a heart for reaching families? Do you understand that parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their children’s lives, but are in a church which has (and wants to keep) a more traditional “Children’s Ministry”? I talk with leaders all the time… Continue Reading

18 Things You Need to Know Before Becoming a Children’s Ministry Leader

Posted by Greg Baird

Children’s Ministry can be a crazy ministry to be a part of, much less lead. After nearly 30 years in Children’s & Family Ministry in one form or another, it is my belief that it can both the most rewarding and the most challenging all at the same time! When I started, I was clueless.… Continue Reading

5 Ways to Make Worship Family Friendly in Your Church

Posted by Lori Grasty

I have heard many stories from parents about the churches they never went back to. Stories range from the lead pastors waiting to continue a sermon until a special needs child (who belched) was removed for the sanctuary to parents being asked to leave a church while quietly (and painfully) going through a divorce. If… Continue Reading

Are You Following Jesus’ Model for Successful Ministry Recruiting?

Posted by Greg Baird

Recruiting. Perhaps the biggest challenge in Children’s Ministry. Have you experienced it? If you’ve been a Children’s Ministry Leader for more than a few weeks, you undoubtedly have. A lack of workers is nothing new. It was a challenge even in Jesus’ day. Look what says this in Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds,… Continue Reading

The Truth About Leadership…And Children’s Ministry

Posted by Greg Baird

Recently I read a great book called The Truth About Leadership, a fairly new book by Kouzes & Posner (authors of the must-read leadership book The Leadership Challenge). The book is a result of their 30 years of research on leadership and addressed 10 fundamentals characteristic of ALL leadership, regardless of culture, generation, position, etc. Continue Reading

3 Ways to Help People Understand the Vision of Your Children’s Ministry

Posted by Greg Baird

Sometimes people just don’t get it. They don’t get the vision that you are trying to lead to. They don’t participate in ministry as they should and as you want them to. Perhaps parents don’t participate at all. Perhaps they are somewhat flippant in the way they approach ministry. Perhaps they are lacking commitment, easily… Continue Reading

7 Misperceptions About Children’s Ministry Leaders

Posted by Greg Baird

Being a Children’s Pastor/Director is so much fun! It’s also one of the more misunderstood roles in the church. People often have no clue what we really do. Or that it’s hard! I’m sure you’ve experienced, if you’ve been leading in Children’s Ministry longer than a month or two. Please share your stories in the comments below. 7… Continue Reading

Practice This One Principle To Connect With People Better On Sunday Morning

Posted by Greg Baird

I believe that leadership is critical to ministry success, whether that’s in Children’s & Family Ministry or any other area of the church. Sometimes that means we need to connect better. We talk about leadership principles, growing as a leader and developing leaders around you. We talk about what kind of leader is effective and… Continue Reading

Category Archives: Family Ministry