10 Common Mistakes That Stifle Children's Pastors

By: Roger Fields

  

1. Acting immature to impress kids. Some of the kids might think you’re funny but you will lose the respect of the adults. Don’t expect to be taken seriously by parents, workers or your senior pastor if you dress and act like a goof ball. The way you carry yourself is vital. Women know this instinctively. However, male children’s pastors frequently conduct themselves in ways that stifle respect.

2. Doing everything yourself. Train others on the job to do what you do. Let others make a few mistakes. Give them the chance to grow in their abilities to reach and teach kids. Being a one man show will stifle how much your ministry is able to accomplish.

3. Being afraid of asking for what you think will produce results. There are times when you need to ask for money, space, or even finances to attend a conference, such as Mega Connect. (I just had to throw that in!) Normally, if you don’t ask you will not receive. When you get turned down--and sometimes you will--handle it with maturity. Learn to act like you believe in what you are doing and be prepared to make the case for why you want something. Remember, timidity will stifle your ability to get what you need.

4. Trying to do too many programs. You cannot do everything and be everything. Decide what is most important. Less is more. Doing a lot of stuff halfway will stifle your effectiveness.

5. Talking about your needs instead of your vision. Your needs will not inspire anyone. Getting people excited about your vision works better than trying to make them feel sorry about your needs. For instance, recruiting new workers is easier if you get people to believe in where you are going instead of begging for volunteers based on a worker shortage. Appearing needy will stifle your ability to motivate others.

6. Complaining about the church. Support your pastor and church. If you can’t you should find another church or at least step down. It is really that simple. Resentment will stifle your creativity and energy for the ministry.

7. Neglecting your own faith. Service is a great thing but it does not replace your time with God and your faith in Him. An empty spiritual life will stifle your ability to lead kids and workers into a vibrant faith in God. 

8. Teaching stuff other than the word of God. Teach kids what God has done and who He is. Teach principles from the Bible. If you major on Bible trivia and only teach familiar stories don’t be surprised if the adults in your church treat you like a child care director. Weak Biblical content will stifle your ability to convince others of the validity of children’s ministry.

9. Excusing disorganization. People are not attracted to slackness. When an organization looks sloppy people assume it is not important enough to invest their time, energy and money. Disorganization stifles your capacity to build an inspiring ministry.

10. Repeating the same things and expecting different results. Change something just for the thrill of it. Get people used to change. Don’t be afraid of failure. Be afraid of sliding into irrelevance. Repeating the same old stuff over and over will stifle your forward movement like nothing else.

That Explains It

I wouldn't recommend sharing this with your Sunday School class, but it would put the kindergarteners' dinosaur questions to rest for a while... at least until the parents got wind of it.

Check out this new book for children's ministry leaders. We all make little mistakes in ministry form time to time.  But what about those bigger mistakes? Ignoring our families. Devoting too much time to ministry and neglecting our spiritual lives? In Brian Dollar's book, I Blew It!, he writes about the biggest mistakes he's made in kids' ministry and how you can avoid them.

Brian Dollar is a highly successful and respected children's pastor in North Little Rock, Arkansas, but he's no stranger to these struggles.  I think you'll find this book challenging and helpful.  It's available in print or ebook.  Click the book title icon above for more information or purchase the book.  Or you can check out Brian Dollar's website at www.highvoltage-kids.com.

CM Statistics Recruiting Videos

I really liked these videos on statistics and recruitment.  They don't focus on the need for bodies in the classroom, but the purpose and vision of the ministry.

Impress Kids Bible Memory

Impress Kids is an online/app resource for kids' Scripture memory.  It has awesome games that can supplement your existing programs and Bible memory efforts.  Click on the above icon to link to their site or view two of their demo videos below.  Their website is www.impresskids.com.

Puppets Part 2

Puppets still work, IF they are done well.  Here's step 2, operating the puppet.  Keep in mind that some of these skills may come naturally to some, and others it could take months to master, but everyone can learn these basic skills with practice.  The entire goal of manipulating a puppet is to make it seem alive, real, and natural.  No one should perform puppets to children until they feel confident in these basic skills.

Basic Puppet Manipulation

1. Lip Sync- Open the mouth on every syllable.  Avoid biting your words.
2. Lower Lipping- When opening the mouth, drop the jaw. Avoid flipping the lid.
3. Eye Contact- You must look down about 45 degrees to connect with your audience. Remember, they’re below you and the puppet’s eyes are above your hands, look down to compensate.
4. Body Position- The stage should rest about “belly button” height on the puppet. Avoid sinking, leaning on the stage, or standing in a hole.
5. Entrances & Exits- Puppets typically enter and exit as if walking up and down stairs.  Avoid the appearance of elevators, rocket packs, escalators, and trap doors.
6. Life- Keep your puppet alive with head movement, arm movement, body language, and reactions.  Movement doesn’t have to be big, but it should be constant.
7. Characterization- Use appropriate movement for your character.  Adults, children, animals, bullies, monsters, elderly, etc. all move differently.  Move according to your puppet’s character.
8. Ambidexterity- Ooh, big word.  Practice all skills with both hands as much as possible.  You will thank yourself in the future when you can either switch hands when tired or perform two puppets at once.