40 Must-Have Skills For Every KidMin Leader

Today is a very special day – it’s my 40th birthday!  Recently I read an article that shared 10 skills all homeowner’s need to have and that got me thinking…What skills should kidmin leaders possess?  Since ’40’ is the number of the day, I made a list of 40 skills, none of which are in any particular order.

As a kidmin leader, you should know how to:

1. Clean up vomit.
2. Have a difficult conversation.
3. Invite people to serve.
4. Answer a child’s ‘curve ball’ question.
5. Deal with an irate parent.
6. Handle criticism.
7. Build an effective team.
8. Stop a nosebleed.
9. Take a day (or two or seven) days off.
10. Unplug with a non kidmin-related hobby.
11. Identify current movies, music, video games, apps that kids are using.
12. Buy in bulk.
13. Prepare and stay within a budget.
14. Celebrate the ‘wins’.
15. End ineffective programs.
16. Lead a child to Christ.
17. Clearly cast vision and strategy.
18. Collaborate with a team.
19. Submit to the authority over you.
20. Laugh – a lot.
21. Plan a great meeting – with an agenda.
22. Stick to the meeting agenda.
23. Step out of your comfort zone.
24. Be flexible.
25. Own your mistakes.
26. Continue investing in yourself with workshops, conferences, books, etc.
27. Set healthy boundaries.
28. Give credit where credit is due.
29. Know when to cancel a meeting.
30. Regularly appreciate your volunteers and staff.
31. Carve out regular, quality time with your family and friends.
32. Bribe with food – yep, I said it!
33. Know when to let things go – physically and literally.
34. Say ‘no’.
35. Not only delegate tasks but delegate responsibility.
36. Work basic a/v equipment.
37. Be a servant – dump trash, sweep floors, etc.
38. Allow God to be in control.
39. Pray without ceasing.
40. Stay in the fight when you feel like quitting.

Now I can go and read Dale Hudson’s article for children’s leaders over the age of 40!  (You can read that article here.)

In the meantime…What would you add to the list?