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Jenny Fenderburke
Starting in a new job is intimidating anyway, but a new job in a new church with new people can be overwhelming. There are things that you can do right away that can set you up for success in ministry. There are also things that you can do that can get your ministry set off on the wrong foot right away.
1. Pray hard. You have likely prayed hard through the entire process of accepting this ministry position. Don’t stop now. Just like you knew you couldn’t make this major decision in your own power, depend on Him for your ministry as well. Pray for wisdom. Pray to see each situation through His eyes. Pray for favor with your new co-workers and congregation. Pray for God to use you and direct you.
2. Observe a lot. Do not go in with plans to immediately change lots of things. You need to spend a lot of time watching and learning. Understand how the church functions, what the people like, what the systems are like and why, get to know families, etc… Take lots of notes and for the most part, keep your mouth shut. You need to earn the right to be heard.
3. Build relationships. Since you aren’t changing much yet, use all of that time getting to know people. Get to know your co-workers. Get to know volunteers. Get to know families in the church. Get to know the kids. Invest much in relationships.
4. Study the culture. The more you can truly understand the culture of your church and of your city, the more effective you will be in ministry. Learn everything you can about what the culture values. This takes time.
5. Serve. Matthew 20:28 says of Jesus, ” the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve”. You need to model this in the early days of your ministry. People are studying you, just like you are studying them. Whatever position you have accepted, do not come in with a chip on your shoulder. Come in with a heart to serve the people. Look for opportunities to serve those in your congregation from the start.
6. Only change things that will be quick and easy wins. Don’t even think about making major changes before you’ve done all of the things above. However, there may be simple things that will make you a rock star to your new volunteers or staff. If there is something you can do that will immediately make their worlds better but will not cause any waves, do it.
7. Love your family. It is likely that this transition for you has been a large transition for your family as well. New ministry will consume you. Be proactive in protecting your family as priority.
We would love to hear your ideas too. Just leave a comment below to share your tips for starting right as the new children’s ministry. Read more of Jenny’s posts here or on her blog.
Fore more on this topic, read our advice for a new Children’s Minister. We’ve also posted tips for starting a children’s ministry at your church.
Related posts:
- Advice For A New Children’s Minister
- How To Start a Children’s Ministry
- 4 Qualities Every Kids Minister Ought to Have
- Seven Men are Chosen to Minister: Acts 6 Lesson
- Talking to Kids: 100 Questions to Start Conversations
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
i enjoy your advice on the children ministry .they are so simply if every teacher put it to work in their ministries we all will see a great change.
I am encouraged to know how to continue transitioning into a new ministry and specifically the Children Ministry in this season. Thank you for your God given insights. God increase in you.
This article has been very helpful! I myself am a new Children’s Minister I start this coming Sunday. I’m excited to get started and I will take the advice of this article to heart!
God bless your ministry!
-The Adam
Excellent points! We have been in the ministry for over 40 years and have learned the hard way that your tips are correct. Your advice to be proactive in protecting our families was the one I said “Ouch!” to. Any ministry will consume a person. It did me, and my children SEEMED so well adjusted, that I didn’t worry so much about them until they were in their late teens. Now that they are grown with their own lives, we have had over 20 years to let the ministry consume us. We will probably have 20 more. I again echo your point, “Be proactive in protecting your family.” If you’re a mother, let the ministry BE MINOR until your children are grown.
My breakout workshop at the KIDMIN conference in October, is addressing this very thing.
You’ve got some great thoughts here, and love the reminder to serve!
Thanks Jenny for the tips. I agree that much time is needed in prayer. Surrendering daily to God and giving up “my plans” and letting God lead the way is key for me since I like to have everything in place at all times.
Hello.
i want to say thank you for the great work you are doing, you are surely making the work of Ministry to be so much fun. your teaching resources are very good!
Great tips Jenny! My mistake as been to make too many changes too soon. I’ve since changed that but spent to much time at a new place making that mistake.