The perfect Children’s Pastor?
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by Kenny in Kids Church, Leadership
Okay, don’t give me grief on the title, I know there isn’t a perfect Children’s Pastor and the perfect Children’s Pastor for one church could be a horrible Children’s Pastor for another. It’s not that cut and dry… but go with me here for a minute.
Children’s Pastors come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to fit churches of all shapes and sizes, but what do you think are the characteristics of the “perfect” Chidlren’s Pastor. And when I say the “perfect” Children’s Pastor, I’m referring to the kind of Children’s Pastor who is the solution to some of the problems discussed in my post from yesterday (and comments). You may or may not agree with me, but Kidmin has bad PR in the church today which I believe is part of the reason there is such a shortage of great Children’s Pastors. We need more Chidlren’s Pastors who will change the landscape of Children’s Ministry for the average church. What does that Children’s Pastor look like? What are they good at? What is his/her skill set? What are the essentials?
I’ll start with a few.
The “perfect” Children’s Pastor is a strong leader. He/She spends as much time (or more) investing, ministering, praying for and building into other adult leaders as he or she does kids. The “perfect” Children’s Pastor understands that he/she must multiply or he/she will fail.
The “perfect” Chidlren’s Pastor is well-rounded, well-versed in multiple disciplines. He or she is educated. He/she doesn’t have to have a specialized degree (although that doesn’t hurt), but he/she should be able to hang intellectually with the parent, volunteer or fellow staff member who is highly educated. Newsletters, blog posts and emails from this Children’s Pastors aren’t riddled with grammatical errors and typos. He or she is a strong problem solver and can push through the most difficult problems. This “perfect” Children’s Pastor has a strong understanding of the Bible and theology. He doesn’t necessarily have a Seminary or Bible School degree, but it’s obvious he or she has read and knows the “good book.” He or she also has his/her finger on the pulse of what’s happening socially. He or she is current with language, dress and and what’s currently popular. He or she is a student of culture and doesn’t come across as someone who is trying to fit in, but actually does fit in and understands those in the culture.
The “perfect” Children’s Pastor is innovative and a risk taker. He or she doesn’t do what he or she has always done. He or she constantly evaluates past events and programs and makes revisions based on success, changes to the culture and a wide variety of other factors. He or she doesn’t change just for the sake of change, but is willing to do anything to see ministry success. The “perfect” Children’s Pastor has a little bit of a rebellious streak in him or her. He or she is not satisfied with the status quo and will not stop until what is no longer relevant is overthrown.
The “perfect” Children’s Pastor is a communicator. He or she is as comfortable talking to a room full of adults as he or she is speaking to a room full of kids. He or she desires “face time” on the main stage not just to recruit but because it’s important to make that connection with the adults. He or she returns emails and phone calls and doesn’t hide behind email or text messages to have difficult conversations with parents, volunteers or staff.
Okay, that’s just a few. I’d love to see what you think are key characteristics of the “perfect” Children’s Pastor.
6 Responses to “The perfect Children’s Pastor?”
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Matt McDaniels
12. May, 2010
I’d say that the “perfect” Children’s Pastor doesn’t implement change without careful evaluation.
Greg Baird
12. May, 2010
Kenny you have some great ideas here. I think all of them are important to being “successful” Children’s Pastor in today’s church. I think, though, that “the Perfect Children’s Pastor” must first be described as one who loves God and who loves others. Seems obvious, but too often we are strong at the tasks – leading people, communicating…the things you mentioned that are so important – but weak in the heart. I have learned in ministry that we cannot “assume” this to be true…even in pastors.
Kenny
12. May, 2010
Matt, agreed. The scriptures talk about a general who goes into battle carefully assess his situation, the same is true of ministry leaders.
Greg, how true. I can’t tell you how many years I’ve led ministry on my own power. I’ve had many years of ministry that were spiritual “low points,” where I continued to see ministry successes… but so much of what I was doing was manufactured energy and excitement. I felt like a hypocrite, trying to take kids and volunteers to a place that I currently was not at. I was serving from a broken place that we should never try to lead a ministry from. I think that this is probably the first and most important characteristic of the “perfect” Children’s Pastor.
Greg Baird
12. May, 2010
We have ALL been there and probably not for the last time. God is good though. I often wonder why He lets broken people do the ministry when He could accomplish it without us! I think it goes back to Romans 8:28-29…all things work together for good (vs. 28) and that “good” is to make us more like Christ (vs. 29). Even the self-centered, broken, low points. Great thoughts, my friend! I would put my kids in your CM without hesitation from what I read on your blog!
Sarah pickering
12. May, 2010
I’d think being flexible is part of being the “perfect” Children’s pastor too as there are always curve balls flying at the last minute and things that come up that make the plan, which the “perfect” Children’s Pastor has made in advance, now irrelevant. The ability to think fast and on your feet in front of a crowd of kids is a must.
It’s one of the things I’ve been slow to learn but it has definitely helped as I’ve got more of it.
Matt McKee
13. May, 2010
And I thought I was just going to see the name Gina McClain when I clicked on the title of the post. Who knew?