5 ways senior leaders can support kids pastors and end isolation
There’s often unspoken tension between Senior Leaders and Kids Pastors. While both are deeply committed to the church’s mission, their experiences, priorities, and expectations can feel misaligned. The role of a Kids Pastor can feel isolating and undervalued. Without the right support, this can create tension that makes collaboration and ministry growth more challenging.
Many Senior and Executive Pastors may not fully realize the weight of the Kids Pastor role. Kids Pastors aren’t just leading Sunday school or organizing events; they are shepherding an entire community within the church—ministering not only to children but also to the adult volunteers, parents, and families who are shaping the next generation. In many ways, a Kids Pastor functions like a Senior Pastor of a smaller church within the church—managing teams, building vision, discipling families, and carrying the spiritual and emotional burdens of those they serve.
Yet despite this responsibility, many Kids Pastors struggle with feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported in leadership. As a Senior or Executive Pastor, you have the power to change that. By taking intentional steps to support your Kids Pastor, you can bridge the gap, strengthen your team, and build a thriving Kids Ministry that benefits the entire church. Here are five ways to combat isolation and invest in your Kids Pastor’s success.
1. Give Kids Ministry a Seat at the Table
The problem: Many Kids Pastors feel like an afterthought in church leadership, excluded from key decisions that impact their ministry. Without representation, their needs and insights often go unheard.
How to help:
✔️ Include Kids Pastors in leadership meetings where ministry-wide decisions are made. Their input matters (Plus, they’ve built trust and deep connections with many adults in your congregation because of their ministry to kids.)
✔️ Recognize the impact of Kids Ministry—strong children’s programming helps retain families and grow the church.
✔️ Give them a voice in vision planning so they feel like a valued part of the leadership team.
When Kids Pastors know their leadership sees them as essential, it can strengthen their commitment and eliminate the feelings of isolation.
2. Foster Collaboration Across Ministries
The problem: Kids Pastors often work in a silo, disconnected from worship teams, student ministries, and other church departments. This leads to a lack of alignment and missed opportunities for church-wide impact.
How to help:
✔️ Encourage cross-ministry collaboration—schedule meetings where Kids, Youth, and Worship leaders strategize together.
✔️ Integrate Kids Ministry into the church’s larger mission rather than treating it as a separate entity.
✔️ Create shared events or initiatives (e.g., intergenerational worship services or family discipleship nights) to strengthen ministry cohesion.
3. Provide the Resources & Support They Need
The problem: Many Kids Pastors feel like they’re constantly fighting for budget, volunteers, and space—leading to exhaustion and discouragement.
How to help:
✔️ Regularly assess the needs of Kids Ministry—ask what they need instead of waiting for them to ask.
✔️ Champion Kids Ministry in the church—highlight it from the pulpit, encourage volunteer recruitment, and allocate resources accordingly.
✔️ Invest in leadership development—send your Kids Pastor to conferences, provide training, and ensure they have access to growth opportunities.
A well-resourced Kids Ministry doesn’t just help the Kids Pastor—it strengthens the church’s ability to disciple families effectively.
4. Acknowledge the Emotional & Spiritual Weight
The problem: Kids Pastors don’t just teach Bible stories—they walk alongside families in crisis, manage challenging behaviors, and navigate complex family dynamics. Yet, their emotional and spiritual burdens are often overlooked.
How to help:
✔️ Check in regularly—ask how they’re doing, not just how the ministry is going.
✔️ Encourage work-life balance—set clear boundaries for rest to avoid burnout. Don’t text your staff on their day off and have reasonable expectations for them returning messages.
✔️ Pray for them and with them—let them know you see and appreciate their efforts.
A simple “I see you, and I appreciate you” can go a long way in making a Kids Pastor feel less alone.
5. Hire a Kids Ministry Coach with Next Wave
The problem: Even with support, Kids Pastors can still feel isolated if they lack mentorship, training, and outside perspective on how to grow their ministry effectively.
The solution: Hiring a Kids Ministry Coach provides expert guidance, encouragement, and strategy—filling the void of isolation while offering practical insights for growth.
✔️ One-on-one coaching for leadership development
✔️ Custom strategies for recruiting, retaining, and discipling kids & families
✔️ Fresh ideas & solutions to ministry challenges
A coach not only combats isolation but helps Kids Pastors thrive in their role, ultimately leading to a stronger Kids Ministry and a healthier church.
👉 Want to invest in your Kids Pastor’s growth and well-being? Next Wave Staffing offers expert Kids Ministry Coaching to provide support, training, and strategic leadership.
📩 Email rachael@nextwavestaffing.org to learn more!
