7 CHILDREN’S PASTORS I STAY AWAY FROM

I love children’s pastors. I have been a children’s pastor for fifteen years. Some of my best friends are in children’s ministry. There is no greater honor than for kids to call you their pastor.

Every church needs a great children’s pastor. This doesn’t have to be a paid position, but every church needs someone who is passionate about children’s ministry and is willing to lead! Although there are 127,234 children’s pastors in America (That number is totally made up.), all children’s pastors are not created equal. There are some that I stay away from.

I’m sure I will offend someone with this blog post; however, that is not my intent. I’m just going to tell you about some children’s pastors that I stay away from whenever possible. So with no further ado, here are seven children’s pastors that I avoid.

First, I stay away from children’s pastors with big heads. I can’t stand being around people who only know how to talk about themselves, their great accomplishments, their big numbers, their new building, their busy schedule, and blah blah blah. What is it about leaders that God starts to bless their ministry and the next thing you know they have a big head? Like it’s all about them? Remember, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Second, I stay away from children’s pastors who want everyone to be just like them. These leaders discover the unique DNA of their church and community and build a ministry that meets those needs. They knock it out of the ballpark and God blesses amazingly. Then they make a mistake. They want everyone to copy what they are doing because it has been “proven to work.” The ministry doesn’t work that way. Don’t copy. Create.

Third, I stay away from children’s pastors who think it’s all about families. The key word in that sentence is “all.” Before you send me a nasty email, let me tell you what I mean. The Bible plan is that mom and dad provide the spiritual leadership at home. I believe that with all my heart. But I also know this – Jesus had a children’s ministry. He stopped what he was doing to minister to the unique needs of children. That is part of our calling. Children’s ministers are partners with parents AND ministers to children.

Fourth, I stay away from children’s pastors who neglect to keep the Bible central. I will stand before you, God and all of humanity to say that I believe the Bible should be the foundation of everything we do in children’s ministry. The foundation is not babysitting, not games, not coloring sheets, not videos – but God’s Holy Word! It should be the foundation of every program and the core of every lesson.

Fifth, I stay away from children’s pastors who think Scripture memory is old school. I’m still of the opinion that kids get to know God in His Word. Scripture memory helps kids hide God’s Word in their hearts and builds a foundation for the rest of their lives. Remember the importance of review in Scripture memory – this is one of the best kept secrets for helping kids remember those passages of Scripture!

Sixth, I stay away from children’s pastors who think salvation is an “adult” decision. Can kids be saved? Absolutely so! I came to know Christ at the young age of five. I am offended at people who say that the job of the church is to lay a Christian foundation for children so that when they are adults they can decide whether or not they want to become a Christian. I choose to keep the Gospel at the heart of my children’s ministry.

Seventh, I stay away from children’s pastors who are full of excuses. I’ve heard them all from “the pastor” to “the budget” to “the church board.” You get the idea. Bag the excuses and make the best of your situation for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom!

I’m trying not to be negative with this blog post. I’m praying that God will use it to make you a better leader and children’s pastor. So what kind of children’s pastor do you gravitate toward? Choose to hang around those that are humble, who give God the credit, are balanced, are committed to God’s Word and the message of the Gospel for children, and so on. These kind of children’s pastors are out there! Go find them.

What do you think?

 

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