AM I AT THE RIGHT PLACE?
Hey, leader.
Yes—you. You’re a leader. And a difference maker. Let’s start there.
You took a step toward serving the next generation because something within you knows you have more to offer, wisdom to share, and experiences to draw from. You see the difference Christ is making in your life, and you want to point kids and students in His direction.
But you still have questions.
That’s okay. The Holy Spirit meets us in the unknown and gives us what we need to take the next step closer to Him and closer to our purpose.
Think of this article as that next step. If a voice is still kicking around in your head, asking, “Am I enough? Am I the right person for this?”—read on. You’re in the right place.
And if you’re revisiting this article, you already know there are some great resources linked throughout. Here are four of our favorites you may want to read again or bookmark:
- Resources for Leaders
- Room-Specific Training Videos
- Making a Difference: A Bible Plan for Leaders in Kids’ Ministry
- Leader Tips Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
Okay, let’s keep going. There’s good stuff ahead …
SO, WHAT’S THE WIN?
Leading kids—whether you’re negotiating a toy swap between two-year-olds or trying to comprehend the latest TikTok dance a 5th-grader is showing you—is not easy. There are so many things to consider, so many approaches, and so many opinions about the “right way” to do it.
So, what does a win look like in LifeKids?
Simply put, it’s this: Show up, be yourself, and share Jesus.
You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to be a good LifeKids leader. You don’t need to have all the answers in order to influence the kids in your room.
But you do need to be there—present and attentive. You need to be real—God picked you for a reason. And you need to be ready to share what Jesus means to you—so you should get to know Him.
AND HOW DO I DO ALL THAT, EXACTLY?
So glad you asked. In this article, we’ll cover important mindsets of a LifeKids leader, address some questions you may have, and provide plenty of additional resources to help you lead kids with care and confidence.
(Want tips and encouragement delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for this email series!)
And remember, this is just the first step, and you’re not walking alone. You’re part of a community now. Your fellow leaders and LifeKids Pastors are there to support you every step of the way. When something doesn’t make sense, let someone know. When you’re struggling, reach out for help. Leading the next generation is a responsibility too big for just one person, so don’t try to do it alone.
Are you ready to dive in?
FIRST, FOLLOW JESUS
If you’re going to lead kids to Jesus with authenticity, you’ll have to get to know Him better yourself. In Scripture, we see that Jesus set a perfect example for us during his time on Earth, and we’ll grow closer to Him as we learn about Him and model our lives after His.
In Jesus’ ministry, He dedicated time to these things above all else: Scripture, prayer, worship, community, serving, and generosity. And since Jesus did those things, we should too.
When you commit to following the way of Jesus, you’ll be ready to lead kids from a place of overflow. His Holy Spirit will prepare you to share His light with the kids you’ve been entrusted with.
Want to dive deeper? Check out this Bible Plan, created specifically for leaders like you.
SECOND, SHOW UP BIG AND LISTEN CLOSE
You may be the first tangible example in a child’s life of God’s love, and your consistency and attentiveness can help a child know that God is always near and always hears their voice.
When kids can count on you to be there and listen to them, you’re showing them church is a safe place to belong, a place where they can learn who Jesus created them to be, and a place they can use their gifts to make a difference.
When you focus on consistently investing in the lives of those few you’re with each week—just like Jesus did with His disciples—you’re leading small. Read this article to learn more about that.
OKAY, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE RULES AND DOCUMENTS AND STUFF?
Wait! You don’t have every LifeKids rule and document committed to memory already? Kidding. Of course you don’t! Even more, no one is expecting you to.
We believe you’re going to learn best when you’re in the game. Learning the rules is important, sure, but actually getting in there and pointing kids to Jesus is where you’ll really learn what those rules mean and why they’re rules in the first place.
And don’t forget, you’re not alone. Your fellow leaders, coaches, and LifeKids Pastors are walking alongside you, ready to answer every question you have and ready to let you know where you have room to grow. But they also want to see what unique flair you’re going to bring. This is your ministry, so bring you.
As we take steps to become more like Jesus every day, we naturally grow and mature. Our ministry in LifeKids is no different. We get better every day, as long as we keep showing up and continue taking steps toward Jesus.
And you know what else? When it comes to rules and documents and stuff, there’s a place where you can find all of that. Isn’t that a relief? It’s right here: The Resources for Leaders page. Check it out. Seriously, you’ll find so many great things there.
WHAT IF I MISS A WEEK?
Okay, we talked about consistency earlier, so you’re probably asking, “But, like, how consistent?”
Great question.
Your unique situation is just that, unique. Your family dynamics and season in life are going to dictate a lot. And, every child’s situation is unique too. A kid in your small group may only come to church once a month, but if you’re there every time he is, your influence in his life could be exponentially strong.
Here’s the deal: Your ministry is as strong as it is consistent. When you show up, kids notice. They know they can depend on you. They know they matter to you. They know they can trust you. Consistency matters. Big time.
But showing up big means consistently bringing your whole self, your healthy self, your ready-to-be-super-silly self.
So, your health matters—physical, mental, and spiritual.
You’ll be sick from time to time. You should absolutely take vacations. And sometimes, a family event may pop up. That’s life, right? When those things are the exception to your consistency, your ministry will stay in a strong place. But if those things become the norm, your ministry will lose some of its oomph.
Lasting in ministry takes balance and it takes communication. Let your coach or LifeKids Pastor know if you’re going to be out or if you’re finding yourself in an extended difficult season. They’ll love you and support you through that season and help you get back in the game.
Because you matter.
(Don’t believe that? Check out this article.)
THIS ALL SOUNDS GREAT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AM I REALLY NEEDED?
We get it. You see lots of people buzzing around every weekend at church and you want to know if your serving will actually make a difference. You’re just one person, right?
The truth is, you’re needed more than you know.
Think about the role models you had growing up, the most influential people in your life. Maybe it was a soccer coach, an English teacher, a parent, or a close family friend. Chances are, they made a difference in your life through the small moments, through a handful of meaningful conversations that stuck with you and changed your life forever.
Because they were with you. They showed up and shared what only they could. When you show up to serve in LifeKids, you’re creating moments like that with the kids in your group.
But they’re not the only ones who benefit.
When you show up consistently, parents recognize you. They trust you and look forward to seeing you. When they drop their kids off with you, they don’t feel anxious. As they experience a message in the auditorium, they can more easily hear God speaking to them. When they apply what they’re learning to their lives, suddenly that family finds themselves more whole and closer to Christ. You’re part of that.
When you show up consistently, LifeKids Pastors can depend on you. They know the room you’re in is in good hands and they’re able to pastor families who walk through the doors of the church for the very first time. They can focus on greeting them and making them feel welcome and loved. These families know LifeKids is a safe place for their kids, and also that this church is a place they can all belong. You’re a part of that.
When you show up consistently, Jesus will use you to love His people in incredible ways.
So, show up, be yourself, and share Jesus.
Because no one can do that like you.
SO … YOU LINKED TO A LOT OF RESOURCES. WHAT IF YOU PUT THEM ALL IN ONE PLACE?
You got it, friend (plus a few bonus links if you’re feeling ambitious).
Here are the four biggies:
- Resources for Leaders — you’ll wanna bookmark this one.
- Making a Difference: A Bible Plan for Leaders in Kids’ Ministry — read it with your coach or another leader!
- Room-Specific Training Videos: Early Childhood, Crosstown, Konnect, and Loop.
- Leader Tips Delivered Straight to Your Inbox — emails you’ll actually look forward to.
Short trainings with big impact:
- Why Does Consistency Really Matter?
- Do You Want to Win as a Small Group Leader?
- How Do I Build Trust With My Small Group?
- How Can I Really Be Present for My Small Group?
- Want to browse more LifeKids training videos? Here’s a bunch!
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