Okay, I wanted this little series about Kidmin as a career to be highly practical. Last week was a lot of philosophy, but it was important foundational stuff for getting started. I understand that I might be speaking to two different audiences here.
- You might be thinking about going into full time ministry either as a young person fresh out of school or someone who is looking to make a career shift into full time ministry.
- You might be currently in ministry, but you want to make a shift. Your values don’t line up with the values of your church or your denomination. You’re looking to make a radical shift to a different kind of church.
I’m going to do the best I can to address both.
First of all I feel I need to say this. Everyone truly can serve in a church they would chose to attend if they weren’t on staff. Secondly, everyone should serve in a church they would attend if they weren’t on staff. If your presence at a church is simple a job, how far you’re able to go will always be limited. Find that church with the DNA you love and make that the place you serve. I’ll be honest though. I have served at a church I don’t think I would have attended if it hadn’t been for the job. It wasn’t a bad experience by any means. I got tons of experience while still in college and the church I served at got a strong Chidlren’s Pastor for more than 4 years. I don’t have any regrets, but if I knew then what I knew now, I probably would have made a different decision. I’ll have to talk about that in another post.
So, before you begin your search, you really need to search your heart. Who are you? What kind of ministry to you want to lead? What kind of team do you want to serve with? Decide those things before you begin your search. Last week I wrote about the problem with Kidim and the revolution it needs. If you see yourself in this fight to revolutionize Kidmin, then look for the kind of church that will allow you to be that kind of Children’s Pastor. Does that make sense?
You may ask, “but finding a church like that is really hard!” Yup. It is. You may say, “but there aren’t many churches like that.” You’re right, they are the minority. However, I’d rather wait 6 months to a year to find the church perfect for me than take a great job at a church I can only tolerate. I’d rather make some significant sacrifices to get to where I need to be.
Okay, I’ve written too much already. Seriously consider these questions. Who are you? What kind of Chidlren’s Pastor do you want to be? When you know the answers to these, the next step will be a lot more clear… which we’ll talk about tomorrow.
Many don’t know how to find the church with a matching DNA. I was put in the tough position last year of having to resign from a church where I wasn’t a good fit. When it came time to put out my resume, I made sure it clearly and narrowly stated what I was looking for in my next ministry. Several churches told me I seemed inflexible and limited in what I could handle. They were right; I’m not the “perfect” children’s pastor for everyone. It took six months, but I finally found a church that loved everything I had put down on my resume. I’m glad I didn’t settle for anything less.
I’m glad you piped in with that comment. I think it’s so important that Children’s Pastors know what they want and stick to their guns. Truth is, Children’s Pastors tend to be frustrated people. They say things like “My church doesn’t value Children’s Ministry” or “my pastor doesn’t support what I’m doing.” I think that most of the time, these Children’s Pastors are in the wrong place. If your values are different from the values of your church or pastor, you may not be at the right church. Way to stick to your guns Brent and thanks for sharing!
Where is the God factor in the decision making. Kenny, I served in a church that was frustrating at times during my seminary days. At times graduation and moving on could not come fast enough. With that being said, I was convinced and reminded that I was right where God wanted me to be. God used that church to develop me and teach me what seminary could not.
I think it is easy for a second seat (anyone besides the Pastor) ministers to say, the Pastor does not support me or the church does not give me the resources I need. God is the one we serve and we go as he leads. It is easy to blame other, but we are responsible for the direction and leading of the ministry we are called to. Ministry can become about the minister and not the ministry. Ministry is about people and all church have people.
God needs leaders like Isaiah “hear I am send me”. Be willing to go to a unfaithful generation that will not hear no matter what you do, because it is where God has you.
Great comment Beau! I once heard someone say, “God is everywhere… go where the money is.” 🙂 I’m just kidding. Actually, I’m not kidding, I did hear someone say that, but it’s wrong on so many levels.
You right, I didn’t mention God in any of this up to this point. I guess I can’t assume that people are relying on him for direction, huh? Every time I’ve been on a job search, God has been a huge factor of where I went. I’ve been open to his voice during and after the phone calls, site visits and everything in between. That doesn’t change the fact that I can have some things settled in my mind before I begin my search process, deciding what kind of Children’s Pastor I want to be and what kind of church I want to be a part of and what kind of Pastor I want to serve. Honestly, I think God is very much a part of that process, refining my direction and goals, letting him give me a glimpse of what he wants for me.
Ultimately though, God is the trump card. He may rock our plans. He may call us to a church we didn’t expect. We just have to know how to hear his voice in that way. I’ve been there. I came to a church that God no doubt called me to and three years into my time there, the leadership changed. It was one of the worst years of my life. I was miserable and I tried to get out… but God wanted me there. It was in that time that he refined a lot of areas of my life and he had a job for me to do in that time.
So, I hope that helps. God is very much a part of it… but people have to prepare and plan and invite God into that part of the process as well.
Hi Kenny. Thanks for your latest few blog posts, I’ve found them helpful. I am currently considering going into full-time children’s ministry in the future, but I don’t know for sure if that’s what God wants me to do, or how to go about doing it if it is his will. I guess I fall under category 1 at the top of this post.
.-= Matthew´s last blog ..Children and Communion =-.
Thanks Matthew for the comment. Well, when this series is all done, I’d be open to conversing about your thoughts and how you feel God is moving you and what next steps might look like for you.
Thanks Kenny. I see we are now friends on Facebook, although I’m not sure if we are on CMConnect. Look forward to talking in the near future.
.-= Matthew´s last blog ..Children and Communion =-.