One thing that makes a great children’s ministry blog is staying connected with the readers. Since this blog has kept growing it’s been harder for me to keep track of who is reading and why. So, I thought I would open up this poll.
My previous results have indicated most readers are active in smaller churches. Of course, that is okay by me. My church is small too.
Tell Us More
The comment section is open, so feel free to tell me more about your church. What is its worship style? Do you have paid children’s ministry staff? What do you love about your church?
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Tony,
One thing we try to focus on is not how many people are coming to our church, but on how many are NOT coming. That will keep any church humble and on their knees when you look around and realize how many people there are to reach around you.
I enjoy reading these blogs and glean so much to add to the ministry at our church. I am a full-time Pastor of Children (dream job baby! Thank you Jesus!). Our church is one of the 500-550 sizes with an average of 80 in children’s worship. I did work at a smaller church for several years and therefore know the dynamics of both sides of the ministry. Something God really laid on my heart was the ministry of smaller churches. I know how it is when you want some “name” to come encourage your workers, or challenge you with insight to help you create a vision of growth, but when comparing the asking price and the budget you have, you realize that was not gonna happen. Not to mention going to a conference is WAY too much (I still am amazed at how much it cost to go to a children’s conference. When it comes to the totem pole of salaries, you know our feet are the ones holding up the pole). I promised God if I ever got to a position where He would use me to minister to smaller churches, I would- and money would not be an issue. Since arriving at this wonderful church, I have been called many times by small to mid-sized churches who ask if I can come and talk to workers or come and visit our ministry to get an idea of what they can expect at 40, 50, and more kids- not the 200 to 500 number, mind you (God took me up on that promise!). When encouraging such workers, I reference this site among select books to read, along with building a ministry network along the way (which has benefited me tremendously). I also let them know up front I hardly know it all, and constant personal growth is key. I hope those who have a larger ministry would reach out to smaller churches and encourage them in such a way and be a blessing. I absolutely enjoy working together with churches in our area and around the world in furthering the Kingdom! Praise the Lord!
I agree Mary, that churches, no matter the size, face similar issues. What I was referring to is the children’s ministry director trying to network with other children’s ministry directors/pastors in the area. When I have tried to network with other children’s pastors who are FT, they generally meet during lunch, or prefer to meet for lunch which I cannot do unless I take a day off my FT job, using vacation time (which I have done at times).
The main differences I see in FT vs PT or volunteer is the time they have to plan/organize events/activities and to build relationships with the youth. I am greatly blessed in my situation in a church that meets in a movie theatre, but oh how I wish I had the time a FT children’s pastor had to plan and build relationships, but then I know, I’d probably be bogged down with other “managerial” things…where is the balance, I just want to reach the children…
Bill, I grew up in those churches (the ones where people actually work all week and volunteer for the weekend, using their own time, money and materials!)…and have been part of a “big, staffed” church for about 10 years. I don’t think having paid staff necessarily makes anything better. it’s just different. there doesn’t seem to be more ministry going on, for all of the paid time! I have found that Sunday lunch, after church, when everyone is still thinking about what just happened, is a great time to do this kind of thing. It might take some doing but the encouragement is worth it!
I’ve found that most resources today seemed to be geared to the “large” church with full-time paid staff. Have you noticed when most denominational events for children/youth leaders are head? Generally during the day during the week (except for larger conferences). Have you ever tried to network with other children’s ministry leaders at other churches? Generally I have found it is a “let’s do lunch” if they are full-time or difficult to make schedules work together for the part-time or volunteer leaders so sites like this that let children’s leaders network has become vital in today’s culture.
@Todd McKeever: Thanks for your comments. You are right, God uses all kinds of churches. I’m amazed at how different they can be sometimes, but so much is ultimately the same (especially in children’s minsitry).
I will be an active one here for larger churches then. We only run 2000. We are a mix service type currently mostly contemporary and are making a transition to video venues as well by 2010. I am full time and building up an intern base as well.
You still have at the time I looked at your poll a 20% readership of those from what you are calling larger churches of 1000+.
Isn’t it great that churches of all size can be used by God. Keep up the good blogging Tony.
@Glen: Good point, there is a big shift in there. I wasn’t sure where to mark it off. At that level it seems like adding a second service (and Sunday school) really complicates things on the children’s ministry end.
@Brenna: I am still surprised that at the results. I initially thought many of the readers were on staff at churches. Then I began to realize how many volunteer children’s ministry leaders are looking for help too.
It really allows me to write more targeted content.
Interesting data Tony. Thank you for running this survey. It would be interesting to get more precise numbers in the category 100-500. For example, my church is about 280, which is a whole different dynamic than 101 or 500. Anyway, thank you for doing it!
Very encouraging to see that 48% (31 votes) were taken from people from churches smaller than 100. I hear so much talk out there from ministers in churches of 500+ with 3-5 services per weekend. That’s good but what they’re experiencing isn’t going to be the same thing as what I’m experiencing in a church of 100 with 15 children at one weekend service meeting in rented facilities on Saturday night. I’m interested in hearing from others in similar settings, dealing with similar strengths and challenges and limited resources because of the low attendance.