Children's Church Leader - adventhope/churchmanual GitHub Wiki

##Introduction The Children's Church Leader is responsible to the children’s ministries coordinator and relates closely with the church pastor, Sabbath School Coordinator, and Family Ministries Coordinator. Their mission is to nurture the spiritual growth of children, teach them about Jesus' love, and inspire them to share what they’ve learned.

#Responsibilities The children’s church leader has the following responsibilities:

  • Organization and administration.
  • Delegates ministry responsibilities to volunteers.
  • Leads in children’s church each month.
  • Keeps an updated file of current students.

###Coordination of Ministry The leader delegates and assigns the following tasks:

  • Welcoming ministry: greeting and affirming children; maintaining a file on each child (master files available from the children’s coordinator or start from scratch).
  • Mailing ministry: Sending absent member postcards, birthday cards, affirmation.
  • Hospitality ministry: Organizing refreshments, involving parents on a rotating basis.
  • Family visitation ministry: Organizing home visits by staff.
  • Music ministry: Choosing songs and leading the singing, involving students in special music.
  • Support teachers: Provides one friendly teen or adult per five students who help kids participate, but do not teach.
  • Custodial: Setting up chairs, banners, and tables after Sabbath School.
  • Holds staff accountable for follow-through on their roles.

###Screening Volunteers

  • Evaluates volunteer applications along with the children’s coordinator.
  • Interviews volunteers, helping them match their spiritual gifts with ministry needs.
  • Screens volunteers on the basis of the volunteer screening form.

###Program Preparation

  • Announces children’s church two consecutive weeks in advance.
  • Makes assignments, clarifies roles and expectations, communicates the day’s theme and time allotments.
  • Articulates a standard for discipline and discusses potential trouble spots.
  • Notifies parents when an offering will be taken, refreshments are needed, their presence is needed, the service begins, ends, and where it will be held.
  • Secures video equipment for taping of the program.
  • Shows the video of previous children’s church and evaluates for future improvements.

###Tips for Organizing the Space

  • Plan where craft supplies will be given out, refreshments will be served, etc.
  • If possible, begin in a video room where children see a spiritual video or sing with a music video. Move to a worship room, an activity room, a story room, and a refreshment room. Maintain order throughout.
  • Set rules for the children to follow: (1) Never leave the room without an adult. (2) Participate in all the songs and activities. (3) Do not leave at the end until a parent comes for you.

#Qualifications Volunteer Ministry Qualifications

A commitment to:

  • Jesus Christ and to a growing personal relationship with Him.
  • Christ-centered ministry to children.
  • The Seventh-day Adventist Church and its beliefs.
  • A balanced Christian lifestyle.
  • Teamwork.
  • Cooperative ministry under the leadership of the pastor and church board.
  • Personal growth and learning, continually upgrading methods and skills.

Special Qualifications

  • An attitude of servant leadership.
  • A passion for children and children’s ministries.
  • Leadership experience in a ministry to children.
  • Current recommendation by the volunteer screening committee.

#Time Commitment: Approximately 4-10 hours per month for one or two years.

###Training

  • Basic children’s ministries certification (nearing completion).
  • Advanced children’s ministries certification (on-going).
  • Some high-impact volunteer management training (recommended).