The perfect Children’s Pastor doesn’t exist. The perfect fit at one church could be a terrible fit at another. The “perfect” Children’s Pastor is a subjective idea. However, I would venture to say that there are some key qualities or ideals that set some apart from the crowd. Children’s Pastors who excel in these EIGHT QUALITIES are truly special.
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As reluctant as we would be to drive a vehicle without a speedometer, a gas gauge, or a temperature gauge – it’s amazing how many of us lead ministries for years paying little (if any) attention to the data, feedback, and metrics that describe what is happening under the hood.
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Over the years, I’ve seen too many gifted children’s ministry leaders in places they...
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A few months ago I wrote about the reading goal I set for myself last year. In January, I made a...
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Initially reading this title, you might be thinking, “oh, this article must be about how we...
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Just this last week, I’ve been busy with the tedious project of converting old VHS video to...
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I have nothing but amazing respect for the men and women who have given their entire lives to...
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A couple of years ago, the people at Orange asked me to help them rally and champion people who do...
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What a silly question. Of course it does. I don’t have to convince you, do I? The problem is...
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This is a critical thought that every leader needs to wrestle with. “I’m not as important as I think I am.” Many leaders find themselves stuck in their ministry. They’ve surrounded themselves with programs, tasks and responsibilities that depend on them. So many plates are spinning and it’s up to the leader to keep them going. I really don’t believe it’s a pride of vanity issue. It’s not that these leaders think so much of themselves and have some kind of messiah complex. But for some reason, so many of us struggle with this very issue.
Several years ago I heard Doug Fields speak at Orange Conference. Doug had been the student pastor at Saddleback Church for 15+ years. He talk about his transition off of staff. One day he had the weight of one of the largest and most renown student ministries in the country and the next day it wasn’t his to lead anymore. He felt sure that someone was going to call him that first day… or that first week. The phone never rang.
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Yes, this is an Orange Conference promotional post. Yes, today is the last day to register before the price goes up. However, I write this post because I care. Ha! No, really.
For seven years I’ve written nearly 2000 post with the intent to inspire and encourage those who work with kids. If I had to boil down ministry to kids into two or three “most important things” I would definitely include learning/development into one of those “most important things.” I think that is why I’m such a big fan of the Orange Conference. I come home every year tired, overwhelmed (in the best way possible), over-packed (somehow my suitcase grows) and inspired.
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My son is in this phase where he really wants to be in the lead. When we’re walking to any destination, he is determined to be in the front. Even if I’m just walking from the living room to the kitchen. He wants to be the first in the car, the first in the house and the first to his bedroom at bedtime. He’s usually good about not always being first, but there are times where he throws a fit. He’s only five.
Where this can get irritating is when he gets in front of me and slows down. He won’t let me around him because he’s just got to be in the front. Sometimes he doesn’t even know where he’s going and I have to ask him to walk with me because he doesn’t know where to go yet. When I ask him to fall back or if I happen to get somewhere before he does, sometimes he screams, “But Dad, I WANT TO LEAD!!!”
Funny, because I don’t think it s a lot different from what I see in ministry and the world around me. I see a lot of people who greatly desire a position of leadership. I see people who really want influence. I see people who want to get their name out there. For those people, I’d give them the same advice I give my son.
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