Your feedback has been amazing and we are ready to move ahead with this series of articles. Each post below is designed to give practical help in areas of struggle.
Overcoming Challenges
So Where’s the Volunteers? – A look at what keeps people from serving in children’s ministry.
10 Tips for Finding Volunteers – Nicole VanderMeulen offers some practical ways to staff your children’s ministry.
4 Storytelling Hints to Keep Children’s Attention – Kristen Charles share some great advice to help kids stay focused during your Bible lesson.
Making the Most of a Small Budget – Kristen Charles gives 8 tips for doing more with less money.
Share Your Struggles
I’m looking for some reader feedback to help us continue this series of posts. My goal is to discuss some of the hardest things about doing kids ministry. So, please let me know what struggles you face in your church. They can be anything related to parents, volunteers, Sunday School, children’s church or whatever. Just leave a comment in the post box below.
Similar Posts You May Enjoy
- Poll: What challenges have you faced in children’s ministry?
- What’s the deal with Ministry-To-Children?
- Some Upgades for Ministry-To-Children
- Do You Get Discouraged In Children’s Ministry?
- Why Does Children’s Ministry Matter?
- How Do You Build Momentum in Your Children’s Ministry?
- This Week In Children’s Ministry for 10/14/2009
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
My hardest this is getting started. I go to a small church that’s never had much of a young children’s ministry. We have a space that’s being used as a dumping ground for junk and no support from the congregation. Being a small church, there’s not much money. I’m really struggling on how to get started, what do I need, where can I get it. And how to set up both a Sunday School and Children’s church.
LaToya,
Consider teaching all of the Sunday School children in one large group for a while. You can purchase one set of curriculum with visuals i.e. pictures, flannel board stories, etc. and teach them all the same lesson, give them all the same snack, and if you use a craft have everyone do the same craft. Have a party or two to get the attention of other people in the congregation. After a few months you may find several people becoming interested in what you are doing and ask what they can do to help. Put out a call for curriculum. Other churches usually have extra sitting around that eventually gets thrown out and will be happy to share.
Biggest challenge? #1 is definitely keeping the vision/ passion, and dealing with other people involved who don’t seem to have much vision/ passion.
Just a clarifying note, by “dealing with people” I meant living with them, loving them, and trying to figure out how best to encourage the vision and fan the fire in their hearts.
the biggest challenge we face in my church is lack of volunteers, it amazes me that no one wants to teach children, they are the future church.
Biggest struggle is staying in a creative mind set. I go through spells of no ideas….
Definitely my biggest challenge is how to deal with the “unlovable” people in your ministry that seem to think they do an incredible job. In other words, how do you handle people who force themselves in ministry even thought no one likes them!
It is helpful for the entire ministry to take a “Gifts of the Spirit” test. This might surprise some people who thought they were gifted in the area of children’s ministry and encourage them to try another area.
patrice i would like to talk to you and send you free sites to get you going i have taught childrens church vbs, and s.s. for 20 yrs anyone can get started with very little money and very little help
if anyone needs help i’d be glad to speak to you
pinqlady57@hotmail.com
susan: bill gothard always teaches us to beware of “youth groups” always stay involved, know what they are being taught and above all else dont worry about the youth leaders “feelings” if you need to get your kids out. open questions and listening reveals alot about your kids classes
ANDY PUT THEM TO WORK ALOT OF WORK
BE NICE ASK FOR THEM TO DO THINGS BEFPRE DURING AND AFTER CLASS
MAYBE THEY NEED TO FEEL NEEDED
IF PEOPLE DONT LIKE THEM GIVE THEM WORK BEHIND THE SCENCES AT FIRST THANK THEM IN CLASS AND ASK MORE FROM THEM
ANY OF THE BACKGROUND WORK THEY DO GIVES YOU TIME WITH YOUR CLASS
A challenge I face is how to keep myself motivated and encouraged (so I can deal with people not wanting to volunteer / teach etc.) It helps so much that I can talk with my Pastor honestly and keep lines of communication opened with our Elder over our Children’s Ministries too. (usually when I’m discouraged is when I’ve lost the vision of why I’m doing what I’m doing for God’s Kingdom and with the kids)
Maybe something that I like to strive for is to acknowledge those that do volunteer / teach. Then I hope that they can encourage others to join too. But in all honesty it doesn’t happen as much as I’d like it to and ideas to show appreciation for them are limited (from my point of view anyway) Ways to invite those who might be interested in volunteering is a challenge too.
Here’s a doozy: How do I add volunteers when Adult Education is at the same time? In other words, getting stuck in the middle of the service vs. discipleship argument…
We have four worship services, with Adult Education (Life Groups in our church) that meet during all 4 worship services. Most attend the main worship service in the sanctuary, but about 50% attend a Life Group of some fashion. When so much emphasis is put on Adult Education it kills my ability to recruit capable servants in Children’s Ministry, Youth ministry, etc…
One possibility is to move the children’s and youth ministries to Sunday evening when more people are available to help.
JOHNATHON ASK FOR 8 VOLUNTEERS ROTATE THEM 1 WEEK EVERY 2 MONTHS GOD WILL GIVE SOMEONE A BURDEN FOR YOUR KIDS
Managing all three areas at the same time:
1. Managing volunteers
2. Curriculum/Lesson prep
3. Dealing with Pastor/Elders
I’m a volunteer, and just one of those areas would be a big enough job for me, but I end up juggling all three.
One of my constant struggles is finding enough volunteers in our small church to continue to expand our kids ministries.
My biggest struggle right now is volunteers who have a passion for Children’s Ministry. Also, getting workers to teach preschool Sunday School. They are so precious and moldable at 2 and 3 yet still I have no workers in their room just scramble to get someone to teach it every week.
Also struggle with casting the vision for Children’s Ministry. It’s hard to cast vision when workers won’t show up to training sessions or meetings.
Also, trying to connect with parents and train them to disciple their children.
JENNY FIND A PAIR OF GRANDPARENTS
AT 2 AND 3 THEY NEED OUR T-I-M-E MORE THAN COLORING OR CRAFTS
BEING READ TO LEARNING BIBLE STORIES AT THIS AGE IS MOST IMPORTANT THEY DONT NEED TRAINING TO LOVE OUR KIDS
We struggle with getting volunteers to help out also at our small church. It is the same few people who do all of the work. Those individuals are incredible, but they are worn out. It deeply saddens me.
I can relate to some of the challenges cited above. But I think it is important to note there is a spiritual component to many of the challenges we face as well. So I list spiritual warfare as one of the key challenges I face. In homes, children’s behavior, marriage issues, volunteer issues, leadership issues, neighborhood mission challenges, and so on. Not to blame everything on a spiritual attack. But, I think it is too easily overlooked for the “safer” alternatives. The fact is, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against an enemy who is a student of our weaknesses and a tactical expert at exploiting them.
so the first order of business is to pray, pray, pray! pray by name for each kid–maybe preschoolers on monday, early elementary kids tuesday, etc. pray for them, for their families, for their parents to catch the vision of what could happen if they were to volunteer to teach! i really think we get so caught up in the “church stuff” that we forget why we are doing this at all! we could sit at starbuck’s every sunday morning, but we don’t. why is that? as we draw near to our God (who’s so big, so strong and so mighty! as the kids’ song says!) we find that HE is creative. HE is the source of passion. HE is able to do more than we ask or imagine…i think sometimes we look everywhere but to HIM. it’s the american way!:)
Thx for the input Glen, I agree. I think I probably don’t realize that like I should. I know that Satan does not want to see the next generation rising up and standing against sin and following God with all their hearts. We are most definitely in a battle… But our side will win in the end!
I think one of the most frustrating concerns is how do you balance “programming” and teaching the word? I feel like Children’s ministry is full of great “programs” but are the kids really getting it an? Our teachers are not passionate and we try to help them out by making the curriculum easier for the teachers so they will say yes, at what cost are we doing this? I totally agree with the spiritual aspect of this, Satan knows that if we brush the kids off then we are not raising up strong disciples in Christ.
THIS IS SO TRUE WE GET CAUGHT UP IN REALLY COMPETING WITH THE WORLD BUT THAT DOESNT WORK. YOU CAN HAVE BOWLING, MOVIES, BASKETBALL, ETC AND YOU’LL NEVER WIN THEM OVER BUT GIVE THEM LOVE AND TIME AND TRUTH TRUTH AND LOVE WINS EVERYTIME BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT GOD TELLS US TO DO.PERIOD.
Reading the above comments…I can relate…the most frustrating part is working with the volunteers. It amazes me how hard it is to get someone to commit to teaching the kids…who are the future of our church…once every 8 weeks. I tend to be with the kids 3 out of 4 weeks just because people will volunteer and then not show up. Its hard for me to understand when we are a small church and can have anywhere from 25-40 kids on any given Sunday. Its an amazing problem that is very visable.
It could be the adults in your congregation feel they need to be fed on Sunday morning through Bible study or the sermon. Suggest the church begin a mid-week bible study lead by the pastor or an elder qualified to teach. You may find adults a little more wiling to give time to your program if they have another time during the week for adult study.
THIS IS AN AMAZING BLESSING TO HAVE THAT MANY KIDS WE HAVENT HAD THAT MANY IN YEARS
IF YOU CANT GET ANY HELP PRAY, PRAY, PRAY NOT FOR HELP BUT FOR STRENGTH IF GOD SENDS THEM THEN HE MUST THINK YOU CAN HANDLE IT 1COR.10:13 DONT FORGET IT
I think the hardest challenge we have faced this year in children’s ministry has been with our small church’s youth pastor(the daughter and son-in-law of the pastor). One game night in Feb., we were HORRIFIED to discover that they were playing VERY Secular Hard Rock Guitar Hero to our 12 year old child. We have suffered persecution from the above mentioned “youth pastor” for months until August when the Lord moved him to Texas for a year for a secular position. We are still extremely distressed that this may be the ‘youth ministry’ that our Children’s Church kids may be going into eventually as his wife has not had a very good track record either. After 1 year of ministry in this church, we are feeling the Lord’s leading to take our child and move on into Full-time Children’s Ministry elsewhere.
I have to say that I have had similar experiences with our youth programs. I tried getting more involved with the middle school and teen programs, but one person cannot and should not “do it all”. While I am involved mostly coordinating and running the Children’s Summer Camp program (and often writing it too), as well as working with the Adult religious Ed program, I worry about what my children are hearing in other programs. I know that people have different opinions and walk different paths (or at least they are on different parts of the path), but I struggle with respecting where they are and encouraging them; especially when they are “teaching” my children something that may be harmful in the little ways (that are usually very important). So, to sum up, my biggest struggle is that while I am doing what I am called to do, I struggle with trusting God and the people in ministry over my children. This takes daily prayer and daily conversations with my children about what they have been “taught”. It also means stepping in and trying to encourage those in ministry over my children while teaching them in a loving way. Any helpful advise would be appreciated. Thanks and God bless you.
My biggest challenge is curriculum. It seems everything I order is for “big” churches. We have 20-25 kids on average. We don’t have big facilities. We don’t have a lot of help. In the materials we order, there is usually drama involved and while we use puppets, our kids just don’t seem to relate to them very well. (They were overused by the last children’s worker). 9 times out of 10 I have to re-write everything I order. I call it “tweaking”. SO, in 2 out of 3 of our classes, we actually “write” the material. It is very rewarding in that it is absolutely on target for our kids, BUT it is very time consuming.
I am a volunteer, yet the most of my time each week is spent writing and then “tweeking” the other lesson for the week. I feel like I am constantly spinning my wheels.
Hi Tammie,
I feel your pain! I’m not sure if you have ever tried a media-driven curriculum, like KID-MO or Elevate(which is cheaper and has more to offer) but these have worked well for me. If your church can afford them, Elevate runs about 150. for 8 weeks, they can be great. They have a skit and bible story on dvd and extra lessons/games to go along with each. I still have to “tweak” the games or add to them sometimes…I think that’s just inevitable, but overall my kids love the dvds. I use them for our Children’s Church program for kids in 1st – 4th grade.
God Bless!
Cheryl
Getting Sunday School Teachers to stay on task and in the spirit when is it their turn to teach that sunday. Yes, things come up, but when you need to call on the same teachers every sunday. The harvest is ready, workers are few. Children notice when adults are not in the spirit, or do not know what they are doing.
The struggle I have is probably the most common…nursery team members. We don’t have a lot of babies right now but trying to make people understand that we still need a minimum of two team members in the nursery at all times for security reasons is an ongoing battle. I have had full team meetings to cast vision, etc. but some are still lagging behind. One thing that I have recently done that I think will help is appointing a nursery coordinator. Actually, it’s a husband and wife team. I hope to pass my passion along to them so they can spread the vision. We children’s pastors MUST build the team deep so we can do those things that only we can do.
I’m sure many will say “recruiting”. I think it is a bigger picture. I pray for God to send us some committed volunteers that are not just there for the one year term but are in it for the long run. I have many volunteers. Some have stayed with it for 5 years or more. But many come and go because their children are “in the program”. The ones I love (and probably all of us treasure most) are the ones God has placed and put a burden for kids in their hearts. They are the best teachers. Usually they don’t have kids in the program any more. So that’s what I pray for
P.S. I also believe in giving these great people “breathers” and offer them a space on my commitment forms to check a “year off” if they need it.
Volunteers and support! Never enough people (or any sometimes) willing to help!! Another I have problems with is curriculum for a small church with various ages in one classroom! Everything I have purchased needs several adults to do the class. Most all of the time, I am it. (ages 4-8) They love puppets but that does not work well with one person!!! I have to basically rewrite or adapt everything. very time consuming….I am on church staff at about 8 hours a week not enough time for that!!
I am a CM Director and we have only a youth pastor for the older kids so I cover everything that deals with kids 5th grade and younger, which is about 100+ kids or so. Getting enough volunteers to really want to help out is always a struggle, especially with our Children’s Church program. Our Sunday School (which runs in-between two services) and our Friday night AWANA program seem to get more volunteers even though the commitment is much more. I tend to think people just don’t want to miss being in “big” church and the pastors message. I was hoping that having two services on Sunday morning we could get a more dedicated staff to do our children’s church program but so far that is anything but the case. Our congregation has about 600 people and it’s frustrating that only a small handful really step-up and serve in kids ministry…anywhere!
NURSERY!!! AWOL, usually choir members!!!
We have four beautiful new nursery suites! NO HELP… Not no help in all areas, just nursery. I have 19 leaders in our AWANA ministry and 9 for KIDZ church.
In my small church, it is difficult to get parents to bring their children to church and stay for Sunday School on a regular basis. Our Worship Service starts at 9 and by 10:30 when Sunday School starts the parents are headed out the door to sports events or other excuses. These are the same parents that lavishly praise our Vacation Bible School and fun events which are well attended. Since I was raised in this church, I know everyone and have extensive contacts, but the committed families are so few. I need ways and ideas to make Sunday School happen! I also am the Lay Leader and Chairperson for Evangelism so I have the pulpit regularly for messages. Any help out there?
Our number one problem, for years on end, has been getting adults to volunteer, to both teach and assist, in any area of children’s ministries. We are a large church (around 700), so warm bodies are not an issue…willingness seems to be.
Our church is small and we are connected to a network of other small churches who have the same problem. The problem is multi-age children in one classroom. We can separate a bed baby or two from the rest but then we have a 2 year old, a couple of 4 year olds, and a 5 year old. In the children’s area we have 2 first graders, a 3rd grader, and sometimes some 5th graders. Most seminars our teachers attend are lead by large church leaders who don’t have a clue (sorry, but they don’t get the situation). Both of our lead teachers are constantly creating lessons that fit and have to adjust what they are teaching based on the age of the student asking the question or needing help. Creative work has to fit and be adjusted to the ability of the student. Any help out there for these teachers?
ya know, Gospel Light’s 13-week courses (they’re “big books”–Journey with Jesus, Rock-Solid Followers, etc. ) are designed just for this. they have art/craft/game adaptations for younger and older kids…basically it’s set up so you can use the same materials for both a younger kid and an older kid option. lots of puzzles and coloring pages,, too…and all on a CD-ROM so you can print out what you want! it’s what i’d use!
We have a very small church with just a few children. My goal is to get more kids but then I have the problem with willing teachers who have no idea how to teach. They are willing but in Sunday School they are boring the children to the point that they do not want to come back. I teach Jr. Church and can usually keep the ball rolling when I am with a varity of ages. How can I help teachers put some spark in their lessons? Thank you.
My biggest challenge would have to be getting the kids to come consistenly. Most of our kids are “bus kids”, meaning their parents do not come to church. We are a small church, and because of lack of teachers, I have K-6th in Sunday School and Children’s Church. However, some Sundays all may show up, and at other times only 2 -3. It is very frustrating. Parents used to send their kids just to “get them out of their hair for a few hours”. Now they can’t be bothered to do that. It’s easier letting everyone stay in bed.
This may sound strange, but it was very encouraging reading everyones comments. I am our Children’s Director for our church (volunteer position), but work full time at another very large church in the daycare during the week. When you see all the wonderful things at “work”, the things they do for “church kids”, and the money, room, and volunteers they have, you feel like you are on your own island. We too have a small church (I call it retired-most everyone is older and doesn’t want to volunteer), I don’t have any kind of budget. The youth pastor lets me work the concession stands with the teens-for the University-so we can have some money for the kids (the church has no say on how I spend this money on the kids-but I keep receipts anyway) this is a blessing but very tiring as this is a Saturday and someitmes Friday night/Satuday job-depends on the season of sports). But God has given me a wonderful supportive husband who helps me a lot. So my area of discouragemnt is the same as most everyone elses-space, VOLUNTEERS (especailly them taking their postions as seriously as they do their jobs), money, ideas, and support for smaller churches. I too think the articles in “Childrens’s Ministries” magazines are wonderful, but they are so clueless about how the smaller churches are run and the problems we encounter. Even our Nazarene headquarters doesn’t seem to get it and the cirriculum from them is behind the times, but God bless them, they are trying and are getting better. I try to keep my volunteers encouraged with notes of praise and small tokens of love and appreciation, but I can tell some are still ready to jump ship as they have been doing their job for so long and are tired. But they love the Lord and our kids. I hope you are able to get your article or book done on this subject. This support group is wonderful!
Linda,
I agree! It has been encouraging for me as well to see that we are not the only church that has a problem recruiting volunteers. One of the great things about this site is that it fosters a sense of community, where we can realize that we are not alone in our ministry struggles. I love the honesty of the comments here.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi,
Thanks for your encouragments and ideas i would like to know the methods and activities for special needy children? how to do a VBS for them if you can give some ideas it will be great.
Thank you,
Eami
How do you get consistant Volunteers? I think I’m tired of looking for volnteers. Instead of looking for volunteers i want to find servants b/c volunteers quit. So what are effective ways of recruiting servants.
Great point. Some churches refuse to use the word “volunteers” and only call them servants.
My biggest challenge right now is parents. I have been Director of Preschool/Children’s Ministry for the last three years. I had to start all over with everything and the program has been doing great. Our church is going through a lot right now. We have lost at least 50% of our membership in the last two years because of disagreements with the pastor and other issues. We have also had the church up for sale and been waiting on that to go through and it continues to fail. I have worked so hard to keep the children’s programs going. I am now battling some issues with a parent that has actually gotten other parents to be against me also. I have not done anything to them, they have just decided that the programs are not good enough and the one parent that has started everything seems to think that everything should be about fun only. I have some great Bible based programs going on, which is what I thought we were suppose to be doing. I just don’t know what to do….. I am terribly discouraged right now and the pastor is supporting the parents because it is his little clique that he is involved in. I had a day of fun planned in August and had it on the calendar for two months, had also purchased everything for the day. On the Wednesday before the waterday, I found out by accident that the parents had decided to go to the lake with the pastor and his wife instead of coming to the waterday I had planned. I am really praying about this situation. The parents are terribly hateful to me and constantly complain. Our church isn’t doing very well financially either, so I am very limited with my budget right now. Anyway, I could go on and on……. I need some suggestions please!
cindy
i wanted to knowif things are better i would like to visit off this site
please contact me directly pinqlady57@hotmail.com
Wow. That is a painful situation and you are not alone. Keep trusting God and serve the kids God brings your way.
Tony,
Thanks so much for your encouraging words and prayers. I do feel better than I did. I have really prayed about the situation and I know that this is where God wants me to be right now. I have decided to press forward and continue to serve the Lord and the children of my church. I just feel so blessed to have you guys praying for me and so many of my friends at my church. I love working with children and parents. I know that when it’s time for me to resign then it will be in God’s time.
My biggest problems is keeping the kids focused. You have some kids that just refuse to participate. Maybe if I can come up with something more fun and interactive that would motivate the older kids a little bit more I wouldnt have such a hard time.
sally you didnt say how old the older kids are. you know when kids get to a certain age its just cool to not participate. you might just tell them if they dont want to contribute to just please be quiet and let the others listen or give them some kind of drawing assignment let them draw the lesson. just be sure and put them behind the other kids or it will distract
or just pull 1 or 2 aside and ask them to draw the lesson for you they will like having a job
After reading all the posts, I must say it is an encouragement to hear that my difficulties are not unique. It is hard not to take things personally when calls for volunteers go unanswered, etc. I take comfort and joy in knowing that I am serving the Lord by keeping the little ones safe while their parents are in Sunday School or Worship. I know things will improve.
I feel really sad for Cindy’s situation. I don’t know if I would stay in that church and continue to be treated disrespectfully. No matter where the disagreement started, no matter who is “right”, perhaps it is time to surrender the situation and see if the Lord leads you to serve elsewhere. Your critics have made their preferences clear, I don’t think their minds or hearts will change.
leslie and cindy
cindy’s situation is really hard right now. but dont think that’s a reason to throw in the towel and go. God has a purpose for cindy I have been in almost the same situation 2xs. it is not fun but 1cor. 10:13 tells us there is nothing that we are going thru that some one else hasnt already been through but He is faithful to not put on us more than we can take without a way of escape. the escape isnt cut and run away. it is run to God The Father. with the confusion going on in your church right now Who would watch out for the children? God Has placed Cindy there for this time. Everything will work out and either God will eventually move the others or move you. But just wait. When God reveals His plan and purpose you will be amazed. Dont think gOD IS GOING TO BLESS A PASTOR WHO CAUSES DISCENTION AND CONFUSION. jUST WAIT, PRAY, AND TEACH THE KIDS
i just moved in march from a church with a membership of about 1,000 to a church with a membership of about 50. The majority of members are older with grown children. There are about 11 young people coming on a regular basis. 5 of them come on our van ministry. 2 of the other youths come with their grandmother and aunt and are on poor terms with their parents. I just started teaching grades 1-4. former teachers are burned out and was glad to be released from teaching. i’m praying to be used by the Holy Spirit to nurture these 11 young people. They do absolutely nothing in church, but play during service. The teenagers are really bad.
hang in there! it’s especially hard when you feel like it’s the church leadership that is not on board…but God is up to something GOOD through it!
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