What should your church include in its children’s ministry handbook? Discover how a small booklet makes a big impact on volunteers.

Volunteers have said “yes” to serving in children’s ministry. Hooray! What comes next?

Before distributing curriculum or setting schedules, give volunteers the nitty-gritty information they really need to thrive. Share your church’s children’s ministry handbook. A thorough and updated handbook is an essential (yet often overlooked) ministry training tool.

Perhaps you have a children’s ministry safety policy document you readily share with new volunteers. That’s great! But a children’s ministry handbook takes information a step further. It covers the “now whats?” and “what ifs?” of children’s ministry in a welcoming and approachable way.

Our friend, Sharon Stratmoen, a bi-vocational ministry leader, shared her church’s top-notch children’s team handbook with us. Sharon is the preschool director at Rockpoint Church in Minnesota. She’s also on Group’s VBS team! You may have seen her lead a VBS preview or children’s ministry workshop. She also shares her preschool expertise in the “Age Level Insights for Spiritual Development” Group U course.

CLICK HERE to see Rock Point’s volunteer handbook. Perhaps it’ll inspire you to update or create one for your children’s ministry, too!

We especially loved these three things about this children’s ministry handbook:

#1. It looks inviting!

Bright colors and simple design give this children’s ministry handbook a kid-friendly and fun feel. Sharon mentioned that they intentionally used their church’s color palette and branding to add professionalism and align with their church’s communication style.

Adding photos gives a nice, heartfelt touch. Photos remind volunteers of the eternal impact they can make in real kids’ lives and hearts. Serving kids isn’t just a good idea—it’s a meaningful reality! Be sure to ask permission to photograph kids when families register for your children’s ministry or VBS. And honor parents’ and caregivers’ requests to avoid featuring kids in the spotlight when needed.

#2. It includes a personal welcome.

A note from children’s pastor, Wendy, sets the tone for all the information and guidelines in this children’s ministry handbook. Wendy’s warm, conversational tone makes volunteers feel seen and appreciated right away. She explains the “why?” behind all the policies and procedures and emphasizes a commitment to safety and process.

Sharon explains why serving on a children’s ministry volunteer team is so important:

“Serving in kids’ ministry is one of the most high-impact things you can do. You aren’t just babysitting or keeping kids entertained so the adults can have church; you are laying the foundation for how kids view God, Jesus, the Bible, and church community for the rest of their lives. So we need to equip volunteers to do it well.”

#3. This children’s ministry handbook emphasizes safety with ease.

This handbook covers it all:

• MinistrySafe training,
• arrival and departure protocols,
• child safety and guideline policies,
• touch and toileting policies,
• health and allergies,
• first aid,
• emergency procedures,
• and more!

This children’s ministry handbook contains all this information, and it’s only 20 pages long. How digestible! The text is succinct and the format is glanceable. Safety policies and procedures can feel daunting and overwhelming, yet this handy guide presents guidelines in a clear and approachable way.

Bonus! It includes tips and training.

We especially love the attention-getting strategies and guidelines for navigating behavior challenges. Even volunteers who are new to leading children will feel empowered and equipped for success. The handbook also explains and sets expectations for “buddies” who offer extra support for kids—they’ve covered everything!

Children’s ministry volunteers may find themselves in a myriad of situations as they share Jesus’ love with kids. One children’s ministry handbook can’t cover them all! So consider supplementing your training with the Children’s Ministry Pocket Guides to Behavior Challenges or the Children’s Ministry Pocket Guide to Serving All Needs from Group.

An effective children’s ministry handbook will help children’s ministry volunteers thrive in their roles. Consider creating or updating one today!

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Looking for ways to say “thank you” to amazing children’s ministry volunteers? We’ve got you covered! Check out “38 Smile-Inducing Ways to Say ‘Thanks’ to Your Volunteers.”