Children’s Ministry Leader

Being in a children’s ministry is so much more than just being a babysitter. My job requires my complete attention and effort. I must serve as a light to the children and guide them to their own unique paths with Jesus. I am not only someone they look up to, but also their friend. I have to be enthusiastic and make the best out of the short time I have with the kids. I have a responsibility to help raise these children in the Lord.

A Children’s Ministry Leader is a person who teaches the Word of God to children while creating a fun environment for them. I minister to and lead the children at Real Life Church in Santa Clarita, California. I keep track of all the children and take care of them. I lead them to “Big Circle “, where I am involved in sharing the daily message and in singing worship songs. My job calls me to be creative in constructing and implementing craft time. I spend most of my time engaging and connecting with each unique child.

I can summarize my work into three roles:

• ·      Shepherd
• ·      Disney Princess
• ·      Psychologist

I’ll explain what I do daily in my job through these examples:

Shepherd

• ·      Takes track of attendance
• ·      Lines up kids and organizes them for “Big Group”
• ·      Watches over and takes care of kids

Like sheep, kids become easily distracted and love to wander off. My job calls me to be attentive to each and every child. Each day, I go to work in my assigned room with kids of a certain school grade (Kindergarten-3^rd). I take attendance on a board along with attaching named stickers to each kid. After engaging in activities with the kids, I line them up and organize them for “Big Group” where they will hear the daily message about God’s Word. All the while, I make sure that the kids are all safely in their specific grade groups. I teach the kids the worship music and dances. I take care of the children and provide fun snacks of goldfish crackers, cookies, and juice during crafts.

Disney Princess

• ·      Be tirelessly enthusiastic and kind
• ·      Project a fun and exciting spirit
• ·      Be a role model

If you have ever taken a kid to a Disney Theme Park, you will notice that their focus is on meeting and interacting with the iconic Disney Princesses. Why are they the center of attention? It’s because they are always enthusiastic and kind and I have to emulate that same sensibility to bring every kid out of their shell and excited to learn about God. I show this spirit by actively engaging with the kids in activities and crafts. For example, one day I had the kids make binoculars out of toilet paper rolls, glue, and yarn. I ended up making it a fun competition on who could make the brightest ones. I received a whole array of creations with one of the kids, Caleb, showing off his colorful binoculars decorated all over with Spiderman stickers.

By displaying a positive spirit and teaching them about God’s Word, I serve as a role model to these kids and I direct them to what’s right from wrong. I have taught lessons about having a sharing attitude when it comes to the boxes of crayons or apologizing for calling someone “stupid”. There have been days where I have gone into work unwillingly at first but when I put on my “Disney Princess” face, it doesn’t take long for my mood to turn 180 degrees because the kids respond in kind.

Psychologist
      

• ·      Know the variety of personalities
• ·      Connect with the kids
• ·      Handle distress

I have to take care of a variety of children and that requires an understanding of their personalities. I get to know each individual child from my weekly contact and I become familiar with their personality traits and quirks. One may endlessly talk about their favorite superheroes or dinosaurs, while another prefers to sit in the corner quietly reading a storybook. Outgoing personalities may require more listening but more reserved personalities may require more engaging talk. I try to incorporate the two personalities by ordering them into groups for activities. I encourage every unique child to embrace their differences and to always be confident in who God made them to be.

In some occasions, I must handle a child’s distress. These emotions may originate from missing their parents or from conflicts over sharing toys. In these situations, I talk in a kind and firm voice and offer to hang out with them. Some children prefer to have physical contact and want to hold hands or sit in my lap. Later, I merge them into groups with other children so that they can become more comfortable and create new friends.

Readability Statistics:

Flesch Reading Ease 65.9

Flesch Kincaid Grade Level 8.5

Passive Sentences: 0%