Tag: children’s ministry

40 Must-Have Skills For Every KidMin Leader

Kathie Phillips 9 Comments

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?

Great Questions for Small Group Discussion

Kathie Phillips
Photo Credit: secretan.com
Photo Credit: secretan.com

 

This past Sunday, I sat in on one of our elementary small groups.  For the next few weeks, I will be coaching one of our leaders on how to effectively lead her group by (1) best utilizing her time – she has 30 minutes, (2) redirecting behavior, and (3) facilitating discussion.  I thought I’d share the highlights of how I encouraged her to facilitate discussion with her group.  I really want to see this leader succeed but she told me, “I really want the children to succeed, too.”

One challenge of teaching elementary children is that there is a good chance that they’ve heard the Bible story that is being taught on any given Sunday.  So how can you make it come alive in fresh, engaging ways?  Since the context of our conversation was pertaining to small groups vs large group teaching time, the question became how can we help these children see and process the story in more meaningful, personal ways?

I gave this sweet leader some tips on how to do this.  When it’s time to review or discuss the Bible story, ask:

  • Was there anything that surprised you in today’s story?
  • Did you learn anything new?
  • If you could ask God one question about today’s story, what would you ask?
  • What do you think is the most important thing you should remember about this story?
  • How does this story make you feel closer to God?
  • Is there anything you need to start/stop doing because of this story?
  • What did you feel as you read/heard/saw/acted out this Bible story?

These questions go beyond children giving the ‘right’ answers and help them really think about what the story means to them.

You can also find creative ways to ask those questions.

  • Put questions on a cube or spinner, have kids draw a number and those whose number matches the one the teacher calls gets to roll or spin.
  • Place 2 or 3 colors in a bag.  Have kids draw a color and then their color will dictate what to do activity-wise.
  • Review/discuss and get the wiggles out by tossing around a beach ball with questions written or taped on them.

Kidmin Leaders: How do you coach your small group leaders to facilitate discussion?

Small Group Leaders:  What questions do you ask to help children process and apply the Bible story to their lives?

5 Reasons Why Every Leader Needs an Inner Circle

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment
Photo Credit: thenextweb.com
Photo Credit: thenextweb.com

When I started out in kidmin, I likened myself to a sponge.  I wanted to soak up as much knowledge as I could.  I also deeply craved being around other leaders who did what I did.  I learned so much from listening to and engaging with other leaders – many of my own ideas were birthed as a result of being in such environments.

As the years have passed, the desire to be around other kidmin leaders hasn’t waned.  In fact, it has increased!  While I still love to learn and swap ideas, I now listen more intently to the heart of the leaders.  We share the same challenges and disappointments.  We are all trusting God to do big things through us for His glory.  We are just trying to survive week to week!

Having my circle around me has made me a better leader.  One piece of advice I always give to new ministry leaders or those having a rough time is GET AROUND OTHERS WHO DO WHAT YOU DO.  Having a circle of support doesn’t mean you’re a weak leader; it helps make you a stronger one.

How?

1. You can share in a safe place.  Every leader needs a safe place to share frustrations, challenges and tears.

2. You can bounce ideas off of other brains.  Some of my best ideas have come from a brainstorming session.

3. You can be supported in prayer.  Ministry is hard work and can often be lonely.  Having prayer support will be invaluable.

4. You can be affirmed.  Sometimes when you hear what others are going through, you realize that your situation is not all that bad.

5. You can be challenged.  You’ll hear other points of view and be challenged to think outside of the box.  You might even be encouraged to take a risk.  Being challenged might help you take the next step as a leader.

If you don’t know where to find that inner circle, here are a few suggestions:

Look within your church.  There are people in your church who are passionate about kidmin, love and support you or both. This group might not ‘do what you do’ but they can be a great source of support for you.  Keep them updated on ministry and personal needs.

Look within your community.  Are there church leaders in your community who you can network with?  I strongly believe that having a support system of like-minded people will be of great benefit to you.  I am part of a network of leaders who meet quarterly but out of that group, I have connected with one leader in particular who meets with me once a month for lunch and fellowship.  She is my kidmin sister and I always look forward to getting together with her.  Don’t have a group nearby?  Start one!

Look on social media.  Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and CM Connect provides platforms for you to connect with other kidmin leaders.

Look within your denomination, if you’re part of one.  Many denominations have Christian Education groups that meet regularly.  If not, start one!

Look for discussion forums within other websites, like Kidology.  You might also be able to find discussion forums for the curriculum that you use.  Visit their website to see if one exists.

What have been effective ways for you to connect with other kidmin leaders?