Get free weekly resources from us!
Got it! Would you also like offers and promos from Group?
Thanks, you're all set!
A children's ministry volunteer talks to another volunteer for support.
Read in
2 mins

4 Key Sources of Support for You in Children’s Ministry

Support — presidential candidates, sports teams, and families need it. Without it, bridges and buildings collapse.

Children’s ministers need support, too. But when you build up everyone else and don’t seek support for yourself, your ministry and personal life may end up in a heap of rubble.

How do you get support? What has worked for others? We asked several children’s ministers where they find support. Here are their answers.

4 Key Sources of Support for You in Children’s Ministry

1. Relationship With Christ

Making time

Larry Miller of West Virginia takes time for daily devotions and talks to God throughout the day. “The number one thing is my relationship with Christ for my personal support,” says Larry.

Prayer groups

In addition to personal prayer, Brent Van Elswyk has a group of women in his California church who pray for him weekly.

Mark von Ehrenkrook, an Arizona children’s pastor, goes to a cabin once a month with four friends — just to pray. And they meet once a month for breakfast. “It’s that mutual accountability, someone who’s challenging your beliefs and systems and encouraging you,” says Mark. “This team has been an exciting network for spiritual support.”

2. Friends and Family

Spouse

Tom Fethe of Tennessee says, “the most significant source of support comes from my wife — just by her encouragement, I’m strengthened and helped.”

Family time

When Linda Snyder of Virginia schedules events that take her away from home, she schedules back-home time to make up for it. “A lot of my staying unfrazzled is because my family helps me unwind. And I don’t catch the flack of having them always feeling they come last,” says Linda.

Friends

“Every time I get with my friends who are in children’s ministry,” says Lauren Quagliata of Missouri, “I get new ideas and encouragement. It’s encouraging just to know someone has the same problem.”

Some of Larry Miller’s best friends are the laypeople on the children’s leadership team. He meets with them twice a month and throughout the week for support.

3. Networking

National and local conferences

Children’s ministers build lifelong relationships at conferences. “Even though [participants] live far away, we can call any time, talk and kick around ideas,” says Brent Van Elswyk.

Local groups

Adam Luna of Colorado benefits from monthly meetings of area children’s ministers. “We also meet for social events,” says Adam. “We don’t have to deal with heavy issues that we address at later times. That’s been a great benefit to me.”

4. Church Family

Staff

Larry Miller’s church staff meets weekly. They update each other on what they’re doing and anything they’re struggling with. Larry says they brainstorm ideas to help each other.

Children’s parents

Tom Fethe gets to know parents and they become part of his support system. “Just by ministering to one another, I’m the beneficiary,” says Tom. “I get to be encouraged and strengthened by the parents of the children who are my responsibility.”

Senior pastor

Larry Miller’s senior pastor was his mentor when he first started children’s ministry. “He has always been on my list of support systems when I need professional objectivity,” says Larry.

Want more articles for children’s ministry leaders? Check these out. For even more ideas and daily posts of inspiration, follow us on Facebook!

3 thoughts on “4 Key Sources of Support for You in Children’s Ministry

  1. Calvary greetings to you in the most holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    I am Eva,a Sunday school director working in Pakistan. We are doing work for children here independently to provide the Christian lifestyle and strong spiritual foundation to each child. But unfortunately, we have no proper Sunday school syllabus,no Sunday school teacher training material and no system or platform.
    So, we humbly request you to provide us the following items,
    1- Sunday school syllabus (material).
    2- Sunday school teacher training material.
    3-An assisting organisation or a Sunday school ministry that can help us to do more effective work in Pakistan for the betterment of the children.
    I will highly appreciate your valuable response.
    May God bless you.
    Eva.

    • Sierra Archuleta

      Hi Eva,
      God bless you and your ministry! You can find tons of free lessons, crafts, games, skits and more on our website for all age ranges. I can see if our partner in India can offer you any resources they may know of in your country.

  2. Thanks for this beautiful information.
    STAY BLESSED.

    DAUGHTER OF MOST HIGH, EVA .😇

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Key Sources of Support for You in C...

Get free weekly resources from us!
Got it! Would you also like offers and promos from Group?
Thanks, you're all set!
Our Pins!