Comments on: Does God Call People to Children’s Ministry?

By: Brandon Maddux

Brandon Maddux — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:46:50 +0000

Hey Guys, on behalf of the young people, can I just say I loved this article and wish I had found it even earlier on.

I totally agree with Sam Luce when he said ” I know that many time I have felt like quitting the one thing that keeps me from doing so is remember the moment I was called into the ministry.”

I was called in 6th grade to become a Children’s Pastor and over the last few years I’ve learned to go back to that experience to keep me on the path God has called me. Like you guys, I’ve had plenty of people try to pull me away from it. A Pastor at my church told me it would be irresponsible to become a Children’s Pastor, another Pastor I know told me I’m only becoming a Children’s Pastor because I am to immature to teach adults, I was questioned by professors at the community college I went to, I have been specifically told not to become a Children’s Pastor by another leader at my church (because he thought I would be successful in business).

So when I’m questioning my calling, when my own leaders tell me this is the wrong thing to be doing, when my friends make jokes about it, when I wonder if I have have what it takes I go back to two things…

First, the experience I had, where I knew without a doubt that God was calling me into Children’s Ministry. Next, I remember the story of Moses… from the way he described himself he was inadequate. However, that didn’t matter, because God was going to equip him, and empower him to do things and perform miracles that he could never even of imagined. Not because Moses we great, but because Moses said Yes to following God’s call.

So anyways… thanks for writing this post guys, I really think more young people need to hear about what it means to be called.

By: Nicki Straza

Nicki Straza — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:24:36 +0000

I absolutely believe that people are called, in fact those who aren’t will not survive the long haul without a good support team. I began working in kids ministry before I even understood what calling was – all I knew is I wanted to help kids know Jesus, and my youth leader saw my potential and began to mentor me.

Today, I have been working in kids ministry for 20 plus years (I’m not as old as that makes me sound) I believe that kids ministry is the most important calling there is (now.. I may be a bit biased there but here me out) We are called to raise up a generation who will seek God, who will discern the times and will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe that generation is now… and I am called to help them achieve it!

P.S. Thanks to all those who don’t put a seminary requirement on Kids Min… I attended the school of hard knocks and have an amazing mentor and Pastor who teaches and leads me in teaching kids sound doctrine.

By: Sandra Standford

Sandra Standford — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:43:48 +0000

Anne, I am 55 years old, have 6 adult children and have founded and pastored children’s chuch, taught children in military chaplain, babysat, had my own in-home childcare, etc. I though I was done with children’s ministry until I had grandchildren. I was “reminded” that I have sooo much experience, love and a burden for children, that I want them o know Christ early. God needs mature people like us to start children’s ministry and train, lead its teachers. Too many churches and ministries do not have ministry for children. Ask the Lord if that’s what you are supposed to do. I am writing my DMIN project on skill sets for ECE teachers in children’s ministry. Others will read it, and carry on the work.

By: anne

anne — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:10:10 +0000

We have a very small church-(rural VT) The party Clubs I lead I guess fit into that category- except it is me doing the teaching. Anyway, thank you for the response

By: Wayne Stocks

Wayne Stocks — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:14:40 +0000

Anna,

Does your church have small groups for kids? If so, you might be perfect for that. It is much more of a shepherding type role than a leadership or teaching role. You could also work behind the scenes helping those in the Children’s Ministry who are on the front lines.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Thanks for your feedback.

Wayne

By: Anne Fleming

Anne Fleming — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:24:00 +0000

Hi, all your posts were aimed at young people… I am 53, and have had a burden for children in the church for many years now. My problem is that I am not sure what the Lord wants me to do with the burden. I have been a Sunday School teacher, Children’s church leader, I work with Child Evangelism Fellowship and lead two small Party Clubs monthly, but I don’t feel my giftings really match up. I know I am not a great teacher of young kids, but I love kids, and want to see them taught, and to grow. Perhaps it is because I can remember at the age of 3 or 4 of being so in a rage (I think it must have been my brother) but I remember I wished he were dead… and the Lord so convicted me that I had murder in my heart, that I repented and asked the Lord that I would never kill anyone because I knew at that point that i was capable… And I wish I could say that I walked with the Lord from then on, but I know that from then on the Lord had His hand on me. My conversion has been over many years. But in 1995 I attended a confrence in Toronto and it was a woman’s “Releasers of Life” conference and I attended a children’s workshop. Right before the work shop I was in a worship service and I remember feeling like “I was a child in a cage”. I don’t remember how it felt any more, but I remember that was the words I used at the time to describe it. Well during the work shop they were demonstrating how to get kids to come into the Lord’s presence- they were playing a song that was an elvis song, with the words changed: Singing to the Lord, but I began to weep and really wailled… it came up from my toes, really deep deep sobbing. I had no words for what I was crying about, I knew it was a spiritual thing, but I had no idea what God was doing, except from that time on I have had this burden. If someone could please help me figure out what I am supposed to be doing with it. I was Sunday School Superintendent at my church for a couple years, but I am really not a leader, so I stepped down. I have asked the Lord, but I have not been able to discern what He wants me to do with it. I do pray for kids, but not nearly enough I am sure.

By: Troy T Gartin

Troy T Gartin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:47:25 +0000

I am in my mid-forties and I new in my early twenties that the Lord had called me into a ministry postion…I always didn’t follow that call and i pursued other interests,but i love ministry it is my true calling and i have a love for kids I always have I have taught in sunday schools in my teens even administered a vbs twice and now just recently i felt the lord tugging at my heart that i need to step into a role as a Children’s Pastor…..Ive been told by several of my closest friends that I have a good talent of caring for people. any advice prayer or direction on how how i should pursue this would be helpful

By: Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:05:40 +0000

I definitely think God calls people to Children’s Ministry. I have a different perpsective than most other CM’s. I served as a Senior or Lead Pastor for over 30 years when the phone rang and my oldest son (Lead Pastor @ The Journey Church in Murray, KY) asked to have dinner with his mother and me. At that dinner, he asked if I would consider coming on staff as the Director of Fmaily Ministry and Strategic Systems. Forget the Strategic Systems part for now (that’s a whole ‘nother story). I have no doubt that God led me to become a Family Minister. Because I have so many years experience from the other side (some would call it the dark side) I would hope I bring a totally different perspective to my present position and responsibilities.

If a young person asked me about pursuing Children’s Ministry I would recommend that they volunteer in CM; find a great CM and ask him/her to mentor them; pursue a study of education; and, if needed go to seminary for some Biblical knowledge. I did go to seminary (pursuing a MDiv) and found that when I hit the real world people were asking other questions.

What do I think about CM’s moving up to Executive Pastor or Lead Pastor or whatever. I don’t! That is between them and God. If they are moving “up” for the right reason have at it. If it is for the wrong reason it won’t be long before it shows up nd we are probably better off without them leading our parents and children. Just a thought! John Maxwell about now would say, “Hi! I’m John and I am your friend!”

I don’t consider the move I made to be a step “down” or “up”. It is simply the direction God has for my life today. Ithink this is the way it will be for a long time but I am not God. He may lead me in another direction later. However, He might want to hurry because I am getting OLD!

By: Are you supposed to be a Children's Pastor?

Are you supposed to be a Children's Pastor? — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:23:51 +0000

[...] I learned something and perhaps you can to. Head on over and see what everyone else had to say. [...]

By: Pastor Jared

Pastor Jared — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:32:27 +0000

How do you understand God’s calling to children’s ministry in your own life? God called me to children’s ministry, more specifically to be a CP, before I had ever heard of such a thing. Even still, the area where I minister, when I tell people I am a children’s pastor, they look at me like I have a booger hanging out of my nose that looks like Abraham Lincoln. “You mean a youth pastor?” No a children’s pastor!
How would you counsel a young person who is exploring this children’s ministry as a vocation? Unlike others, whose opinion I respect greatly, I would counsel someone to consider Bible college. Bible college was the single most influential event in my ministry to children. I was exposed to various ministry styles, curriculums, church settings and philosophies, established long lasting friendships, found a mentor, interned with my mentor, and so on. I learned a whole lot more than Greek (in fact, I didn’t learn any Greek). I learned how to better preach to adults. I learned how to cast vision. I learned how to study the Bible and glean as much information as possible. Granted, most of what I learned was greatly enhanced by the fact that I was involved in the same church for all 4 years of college, but none of that would have happened if I had gotten a degree in something else and stayed in my home church (where I would have probably continued to do ministry the same way it had always been done for lack of knowledge of a better way). Simplified, I would tell someone to immerse themselves in a children’s ministry at a church and get at least a children’s ministry certificate. The opposite of some of my peers, I would say to get a CM degree and use your electives to take business/education classes (child psych, business admin). I would also like to say that my list of references were excellent, but meant nothing to the church I ended up at. My degree did.
What do you make of Kids Pastors who move on to other positions in the church such as executive or senior pastor? I know some of these people used children’s ministry to get a better position and shame on them, but I also echo Kenny’s sentiments. Sometimes, you can better influence children and their families from the senior pastor role or from an administrative role. If God directs you into a different office, know that He is just broadening your influence and deepening it as well.
I hope this offers a different perspective. Let me add, I do not think everyone has to go to Bible college, but for many it can be a positive experience.