3 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A KIDS PASTOR
Amidst the daily grind, the break room becomes a battleground of unspoken tensions, where the clash between Kids Ministry and Senior leadership simmers beneath the surface.
Picture this: the Senior leader, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down like an overfilled balloon, grapples with the relentless demands of the Kids Ministry leader, who seems to possess a knack for monopolizing resources in a seemingly disproportionate manner. Meanwhile, the Kids Pastor finds herself adrift in a sea of unsupportive waves, reporting to a Senior leader who wields the scepter of micromanagement with alarming gusto, all while juggling his mismatched priorities.
Don’t worry. I’m not here to play judge or jury in this melodrama. In fact, my quest is one of unity and concord, aiming to forge a bond between Senior leaders and Kids Pastors. We know there is too much at stake when it comes to capturing the hearts of kids and families for your relationship to be anything but a smooth operation.
From our experiences, we've discovered that there are three fundamental questions that can resolve the common tensions we often hear through the Kids Ministry grapevine. While seemingly straightforward, these questions are pivotal to selecting the ideal candidate for your specific needs, and in the end, provides the pathway for establishing the Kids Ministry program that will fit the DNA of your church for years to come.
1. Am I looking for a franchisee or an independent business owner?
I’ll never forget a conversation with one of my favorite Kids Ministry heroes, Gina McClain. As we were catching up about life and ministry over lunch, we chatted about how I once interviewed with her and actually almost came to work for her. In the kindest and most encouraging way possible, she said, “I am so glad I didn’t hire you.” I was taken back at first, but she continued. “I needed a franchisee and you are more like an independent business owner. Instead of someone with vision and ideas, I needed someone who would execute the systems and vision we already had in place. You wouldn’t have lasted. You would have felt like you were put in a box and you ultimately would have been burnt out. You need to be somewhere you can create and dream.”
You see, both the franchise and the independent business model can result in a successful Kids Ministry. However, you need different kinds of leaders for each model. When you don’t pause to answer this question before hiring a Kids Pastor, you open up the door to high turnover and vision misalignment. We often encounter churches where a highly creative Kids Pastor brimming with ideas becomes frustrated when their innovative concepts are stifled by Senior leadership. This occurs because what the church really wanted was a leader who can effectively mobilize volunteers to execute vision. In essence, it's like confining a spirited black stallion in a closed stall and expecting it to flourish. It’s just not going to work. And it doesn’t need to. What does need to happen, is establishing the model of ministry so the right hire can be made.
2. Do I need a Builder or Sustainer?
When hiring for the role of a Kids Pastor, discerning whether your ministry requires a Builder or a Sustainer is crucial. A builder thrives on innovation and creativity, excelling in the development of new programs, initiatives, and even relational connections. However, if brought into a position where the program is already established, they may quickly become bored. And in turn, even if you do need a builder short term, but don’t have future opportunity for them to dream, you’ll find an understimulated employee who is looking for their next challenge elsewhere. If they have “woo-ed” every connection and built out the necessary systems and processes, this builder will convince themselves that they are no longer needed. Conversely, a sustainer excels in optimizing existing systems and processes, executing upon an established vision, and could steward relationships until the end of time. If tasked to build from scratch, they may struggle to generate the necessary momentum and innovation, which could also lead to frustration for Senior leaders seeking growth and development in the ministry. Like a contractor who excels in executing plans flawlessly, fine-tuning details, and ensuring every beam is in its rightful place. Yet, ask them to draft plans from scratch, and they might feel like a carpenter without a blueprint, uncertain of where to begin. Both leaders with their unique strengths are beneficial to an organization, but determining what phase your kids ministry department is in and therefore, what type of leader you need for this phase is vital to the sustainability of this hire.
3. Childcare or Ministry?
Oof. I know. This one hurts a bit. It’s possible there are some eye rolls and a potential swelling of the pride after reading this question. But, it’s important to note two things here: 1) Both of these models currently exist in the Kids Ministry world and 2) Each of these models call for entirely different leaders. Quick! I have a trivia question. What’s the number one occupation churches think they should pull from when hiring a Kids Ministry leader. Easy right? Teachers. So the Senior leader in all of his, what he believes is brilliance, hires the new Kids Pastor who “CAN’T BELIEVE” they get the opportunity to have a hands on investment in the lives of kids within a faith based setting. At least, that’s the picture that was painted to the teacher. And this is truly what the Senior leader thinks a Kids Pastor does. I’ve met far too many teachers who leave their classrooms to step into Kids Pastor roles, only to find that they rarely get the close interaction with kids that they once did in the classroom. Many of them return to teaching or leave to find a different position altogether. Others have worked through some growing pains, rewired their newfound understanding of the role, and are now thriving. Regardless, it’s important to understand what a Kids Pastor’s day to day truly looks like in order to make the right kind of hire. In reality, a Kids Pastor’s role is to build and manage the program and shepherd the volunteers who are teaching the kids. Sure, your Kids Ministry leader may get to deliver a large group lesson and sit down with a kid and parent through pastoral counseling. They still get to be the face and give the high-fives, but the volunteers are the leaders who are sitting across from the kids in the circle. Churches often pull teachers into their Kids Pastor roles because they believe they need someone “who is great with kids.” While we certainly don’t want to hire a Kids Pastor who doesn’t like kids (or any staff position in the church for that matter, but that’s another article for another day) - when staffing a Kids Pastor role, we have to find someone who can rally a congregation towards the mission and equip and empower leaders to carry out the vision. You need a leader, not just someone who is relatable and inspiring to kids. You know what kind of roles are a great fit for “someone who is great with kids”? It’s childcare roles. And plenty of churches have childcare - maybe even yours. My biased perspective and expertise would say there is a missed opportunity for growth in churches who do not have a ministry model, however there may be a good reason why you choose a childcare option over a ministry strategy. When determining your preferred model, it’s important for Senior leaders to transparently own their choice so they can staff accordingly.
So, my friends... what's the next step? Rather than simply posing three questions, let's conclude with three practical solutions and services the Next Wave team offers.
1. KIDS MINISTRY COACHING - Our experienced Kids Ministry coach dives deep into understanding your Kids Pastor's strengths and preferences, facilitating discussions to determine how they best thrive. Through intentional conversations and targeted assessments, our coach empowers your Kids Pastor to recognize how their unique talents and skills can be leveraged within their role, ensuring they feel fulfilled and motivated in their daily responsibilities. Whether it's guiding your Kids Pastor towards personal and professional growth within their current position or providing support as they transition out into a different role, our coaching services offer tailored strategies and ongoing support to maximize their potential for the benefit of the church as a whole.
2. STAFFING - In our distinctive candidate screening process, our field experts who have years of experience in the Next Gen space, provide candidates with the opportunity to explore and identify their individual areas of strength and passion. This proactive approach ensures that you avoid potential tensions down the road by matching the right Kids Pastor to your church's needs from the outset. Using our specialized tools, we meticulously assess whether a candidate is best suited as a builder or sustainer, prioritizing a harmonious fit that benefits both the candidate and your ministry team.
3. CONSULTING - Our specialized, Kids Ministry consulting services offer comprehensive assistance tailored to your church's needs. From defining your Kids Ministry strategy to the specifics of programming, we collaborate closely with your team to craft a customized blueprint that aligns seamlessly with your church's unique DNA. With our guidance, you can navigate the complexities of Kids Ministry with confidence, ensuring a vibrant and impactful program for the kids and families you are ministering to.
We can’t wait to connect with you!
