“As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Leading a ministry can feel like a lonely calling.Â
Whether it’s volunteers not connecting with our vision, a senior pastor stifling our creativity, or a congregation that doesn’t seem to “get it” we can become discouraged and disconnected from the life of the church.
At one time or another we have all felt the sting of loneliness in ministry. So what’s the cure?
I’ve found that networking with other church leaders, in your church and in the community, is vital for you to lead a healthy ministry.Â
Here are some of the lessons I have learned as I have begun networking with other kid ministry leaders.Â
4 Lessons Learned From Creating AÂ Kid Ministry NetworkÂ
Don’t Be Afraid To Start
When I first started at my current church I felt so disconnected from the community I had just moved to and knew very little about. With a few Google searches, I was able to compile a list of other churches in our area who had kid’s ministers on staff. I quickly emailed them to gauge interest and set up a monthly meeting time and place and watched it blossom. After being part of a group in Indianapolis with 25+ members, I was intimidated to start something like that. However, when you start small, its surprisingly easy, and well worth while to develop deep connections with people who are battling in the trenches alongside of you.Â
Share Ideas, Don’t Hide Ideas
We’re all ministering with the same goal of making Jesus known in our communities. Some of my most memorable events were helped formed by ministry networks. I personally struggle with this, because, let’s face it, my ideas are typically phenomenal and I don’t want others to steal them! Does this false-thought pop into your head from time-to-time as well? More accurately, I’m terrified to share because it could be my stupidest idea yet! Creating an atmosphere of grace is important and being vulnerable before our peers is essential. Plus, our weaknesses are often others strengths!
Talk It Out
Ministry is messy. Relationships are messy. Forming groups where we can talk openly about issues with volunteers, co-workers, kids, gives us insight into how to handle them.
Do we always agree on how they should be handled? Absolutely not! But, we challenge each other to be better, and work harder. Our group, and another group I used to be a part of when I ministered in Indianapolis, had a wide variety of people. It included, men, women, Baptists, charismatic, and non-denominational churches. Our different views helped more than we could imagine. When we work together God wins, our kids win, and our ministry wins.
Have Fun!
In our group we share struggles. But, we also make time to celebrate the good going on in our personal lives, as well as our ministry. I know about their kids, their baby on the way, their engagement and wedding plans. We laugh together. Sharing embarrassments and blunders from our weekends and funny things kids say help us to remember we are not perfect, but instead, being used by a perfect God. Knowing them, makes me feel part of something bigger than just my church. We are a community, working together to reach our community.
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