The INCM team is incredibly grateful for your investment in the kingdom and we want to bring you some encouragement today! You see the littlest ones as worthy, not as a distraction. You see all children as a gift from the Lord, not a burden. You embrace chaos with courage and curiosity. We see your efforts and we are blessed to be on your team not only in this season but in all seasons!
If you could tell children’s ministry leaders anything, what would you say?
- Stop trying to compete.
Stop trying to compete with the church down the road – they aren’t your flock. Stop trying to compete with other community organizations – they have a different mission. Stop trying to compete with what you see online – some things aren’t reality. Instead of competing, know your strengths, the strengths of your church, and play into those instead of competing and comparing! We have the message of the Gospel. Our mission is to teach kids about Jesus, love them, and prepare them to live Godly lives. Focus on that and you will be amazed at what can happen!
- Find your community.
Finding community with like-minded leaders, outside the walls of your church, will help you have longevity in ministry. We need to have someone who can help be a sounding board as we make decisions in leadership and to bounce creative ideas off of! Find someone that is not connected in any way to our circumstances or our community. Finding a completely unbiased voice that loves Jesus and wants to see you have momentum in what God has called you to will help you continue pressing on!
- Prioritize your spiritual health.
Beyond the curriculum and activities, the spiritual health of you, the leader, and the team is of utmost importance. You cannot lead kids where you have not gone. Leaning into the Spirit working in your life and encouraging that of your team is the best practice of leading kids. Prioritize your time with Jesus. There isn’t one specific way to do this. Find what draws you closer to the LORD and pursue it!
- Remember your worth.
You matter so much to the Kingdom. Your role is changing the trajectory of a child’s spiritual destiny. Your faithfulness is setting an example for the children and the parents in your ministry. Your dedication to the LORD is a testimony to children and parents to look back to when they are questioning their relationships with the Father. It all matters. You may not see the fruit or the evidence of your hard work yet, but that doesn’t negate its presence. Not everyone recognizes the importance of the work you are doing, but we do. Remember you’re instilling faith in children and families who need it! It’s not in vain!
What would you say to a leader who is discouraged and considering leaving ministry due to a hard situation?
- Be vulnerable and honest with a safe person!
Sometimes as leaders, we are waiting for permission to leave even after we have already sensed the LORD calling us away. There are hard situations or even just the end of a ministry season that might require us to walk away. A person’s calling is not dependent on their job title. Being vulnerable and honest with a safe and wise person is incredibly beneficial as you work to discern what are the next steps God may have for you!
- Evaluate your needs.
Sometimes we just need a nap or a vacation. Exhaustion and stress can steal our clarity! Sometimes leaders need to implement some boundaries or return to spiritual practices. Boundaries are for us as much (if not more) as they are for others. Perhaps you need to invite a mentor into the situation to encourage them and/or help problem solve so they get back up and keep going. Maybe you need to ask a key leader to cover a teaching week once or twice a month to build in margin for you! Remember it’s not selfish to prioritize your mental health or increasing your margin.
- Give yourself some space before you make any decisions!
Ministry is hard and it can be messy. When all we want to do is share the Gospel with kids– everything else can get cloudy. If you’re feeling discouraged in your situation, take some time off to process. Spend time with wise counsel, with your family, and relinquish the fear of not knowing what is next! Maybe you need to journal your thoughts and concerns, make a pro/con list, or stop and evaluate the way your body is responding to the current situation. Check in with your family, your loved ones, and ask for their input! Collect the data and then give yourself some time and space to reflect on what it’s revealing!
Just like the seasons change, so do our situations. You may be in a joyful season… if so, praise God! You may be in a painful season… if so, praise God! No matter what season you are in, this is a season where you can trust God.
People fail, people forget, people wound… but unlike the seasons, God stays the same. Lean on him.
We are cheering you on and we are here for you! For more encouragement, follow us on social media & view our Tuesday Tips on YouTube!
