Wish more guys would join your kidmin team? Check out these 5 ways to get more men serving in children’s ministry.

Men and Serving in Children’s Ministry

Historically, children’s ministry has been predominantly staffed by women. According to George Barna, “Women are almost twice as likely as men” to teach Sunday school. But at children pastor Gordon West’s church, they’re evening the odds. At West’s church, men make up 45 percent of the children’s Sunday school staff. Here are 5 things they’ve implemented to get men serving in their children’s ministry:

#1. We demonstrate that serving in children’s ministry is meaningful.

Almost no one is motivated by a sense of guilt. Volunteers want to be a part of something meaningful. So many people assume that if the children’s pastor is begging for volunteers, something must be wrong with the program.

So we’ve changed our recruiting strategy. Before each recruiting appeal, we create several photo ops so people can see the exciting work accomplished in young lives. We have monthly nonrecruiting events like open houses in the classrooms, children singing in services, testimonies from staff or children, or student projects and/or pictures posted in view of the Sunday morning foot traffic. We want men—and all potential volunteers—to catch the vision and excitement of children’s ministry before we ever ask them to help out.

#2. We emphasize that women and men can serve children.

Men need to know that everyone—ladies and gentlemen alike—can serve in children’s ministry. So we get men to recruit men. And it works: Our fifth and sixth graders are taught by seven male teachers and one woman teacher. We even had three male teachers in our toddler program—so we actually had to recruit a woman teacher since we’re convinced men and women are important at each age level.

Take a look at your ministry to see if it has a predominantly male or female ratio. The people serving on your team make an impact on how a ministry is viewed—and which volunteers might be interested.

#3. We show men that kids need their presence in the classroom.

Many children have no male role model at home. In one church I served in, as many as 80 percent of the children came from single-parent homes—most had absent fathers.

These kids need to see men who are excited about God and his word. Alongside stellar woman teachers, male teachers who believe in and serve children can help add to kids’ formative experiences at church.

#4. We encourage men.

Some men may be insecure about their abilities in working with children. Those worries may cause them to avoid situations where they feel inadequate or inferior. So we encourage an atmosphere that isn’t demeaning.

Shortly after my daughter was born, I fed her a bottle in the church nursery. One of the nursery workers joked about my awkwardness in burping the baby. It took a few weeks before I was willing to feed her in the nursery again! If one careless remark can intimidate the children’s pastor (me), think of the damage insensitivity can do to well-meaning novices.

Mindfully watch for any volunteer who may need extra doses of affirmation because they’re treading in unknown waters. All your volunteers need to know they’re accepted and valued—especially by others in the ministry.

#5. We give men ownership.

In my church’s children’s ministry, once we get people involved with serving, we aim to keep them involved. An important way to do this is to make space for volunteers to have a sense of ownership—which can be especially motivating for some men. We show trust and respect by including all our volunteers in the goal-setting process and ministry evaluation.

Apply these principles in your volunteer recruiting and retention efforts, and you’ll see impact. You’ll attract and keep capable volunteers—men and women alike.

Gordon West is co-founder of KidZ at Heart International (kidzatheart.org).

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