I’ve been overwhelmed by churches who are looking for Children’s Pastors. I think one of the best ways to secure a new ministry position is done through networking. Somebody knows somebody who’s looking to move and that person knows a church that’s looking for a new pastor. It’s great because it’s not a random resume or unknown church, but there are are people who can vouch for the church or the candidate. In the last 6 weeks I’ve had no less than 6-7 emails, phone calls or personal contacts from churches asking me if I know anyone who’s looking. If I have a name or a resume of someone on hand, I’ll pass it along. But here’s the truth I’ve come to learn over the years. There are more incredible Children’s Ministry positions to fill than there are experienced and dynamic children’s pastors to fill them. No joke.
It took me almost an entire year to fill my North Campus Children’s Pastor/Elementary Director position (I had the bar set VERY high). My It took me even longer to fill my South Campus Chidlren’s Pastor position. It was a much small position, but we were looking for a very particular candidate and quite honestly, there were precious few who made the cut to interview. I’m grateful for my staff who have filled these positions, but it was so painful to find them. I sorted through hundreds of resumes to find these two.
One thing I know is this. If you’re creative, have great experience (there’s so many ways to get great experience), have strong leadership as well as a few other key ministry traits, you’ll not have any problem securing a great Children’s Pastor position. I just wish there were more of us. Why aren’t there more? I certainly don’t want there to be too many where there are all these great Children’s Pastors who are out of work because there aren’t enough… but seriously, that’s not the case at all.
So, this week and next, I’m going to be posting a series on Kidmin employment. Maybe there are some people feeling called to Children’s Ministry and you want the dirt on what it takes to be a Children’s Pastor or what it’s like interviewing and securing a ministry position. I’m even going to partner with a blogging friend to talk about interviews, resumes and other hiring basics. This should be fun.
BTW, if you’re currently a Children’s Pastor with great experience and strong leadership and you feel God my be closing a door on where you are serving now, shoot me an email, I might have some opportunities you want to consider. My email is kenny@childrensministryonline [dot] com.
I agree Kenny! I’ve felt the same need over the past several months. So much so that I am beginning to wonder if there is a shortage of people who are called to work in Children’s Ministry?? And networking is definitely the best way to find the fit you are looking for.
Some churches I speak with have said they are “looking for the leader and then we’ll set direction on where we want to go”. I actually think that is backwards. It is so important for Senior Leadership to set vision and find someone who can help that vision come to fruition! Otherwise, you run the risk of further perpetuating the silo mentality.
Glad you are facilitating some “matches” here. Hoping to read some great stories from what you are sparking!
Yes, I think there is a shortage. I’m convinced of it.
I’d love to help make connections and link great Chidlren’s Pastors to some great churches, but it’s a little discouraging. Almost always a church will ask me, “do you know anyone who would be a great fit that is looking?” and my answer is almost always, “No.” Most of the great fits are already connected somewhere. My only thought is that there are some great people who maybe God is calling onward or maybe aren’t in the right place. Who knows?
I agree with Joy. I see more churches saying, “Let’s hire a person, then see what we can do…”
I usually encourage churches to look at successful Jr. High pastors…they are usually great Kidmin candidates!
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Good point ya’ll. I also think that Kids ministry leaders in the past were asked to be bi-polar. Run different programs at different times however the church was structure. It just dilutes the capabilities. How about setting it up from the ground up- gifted kidmin leaders saying the same message and driving that way instead of the other way around. That’s the church that is bearing fruit. Single vision! Love your posts kenny!
For me the chalenge is that I have the experience, but not the degree. So I think that I would be overlooked in most situations.
Most of the time, experience trumps degrees. Oh, and really good references do too. I’m a big fan of education. Completing a degree tells me a lot about a person, but it’s not the tell all. If you have really strong experience and a track record that can show me that you can get the job done, then I don’t care about what you studded. I’ll hire you. But not every church is wired that way. Some insist that you have a specific degree. I think that some churches that are more concerned with the degree than they are the experience and leadership abilities have got it all backwards.
Bro, if you are getting CM request, be sure to point some my way! I could use it.
I think children’s pastor is a newer position. It’s been around a while but newer in the sense that people are looking for a different kind of kids leader than in the past.
I think kids ministry has a perception problem……people don’t see the importance. I have always said that kidmin is 15 years behind student ministry. I think it is changing but untill that gap closes. There will not be an influx of young people doing kidmin. It’s up to us Kenny to stop being nerds and raise a new generation of kid leaders.
I also think some people who are successful in kidmin often have other goals in mind such as youth ministry.
I understand that this was posted nearly a year ago, but I completely agree that there is a shortage of incredible individuals who are truly passionate about children’s ministry. I have been a part of camp ministry for over 7 years, traveling from church to church with WinShape Camps, and I have been able to see first hand children’s ministers who LOVE what they do and are so gifted by the Lord to fill those positions and churches who have settled for someone who does not have a passion for children and families.
I am one of those crazy individuals who feels like my heart is suffocating when I am not using my loudness, craziness, creativity, and business experience to minister to children and help educate and restore families.
I’ve served in numerous capacities at churches through the years and worked as a volunteer, full-time children’s pastor at a church plant that ministered to the unchurched and the over-churched. I had to work 3 jobs to support myself but I loved every minute of it. When I felt the Lord call me to that ministry full time, I packed up and left my Georgia home to an unknown state of North Carolina where I am over half-way through my Masters Degree in Christian Education and Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
I work 40 hours a week in a cubicle at a call center just to support myself through school; however, I’m suffocating. I need to be with kids. I have been made more aware this past year and a half that I am not currently doing what the Lord has created me to. That’s why I’m looking for full time children’s ministry positions with the hope of securing one and finishing my degree online.
That’s why I would appreciate any information you have on ministry opportunities!
In Christ,
Kristin