You’ve decided to start up your kids' ministry, but what comes next? It can feel like an overwhelming project to begin a ministry from scratch, but with these top tips, you will be set with the foundations for a successful kids ministry.
How to Get Started
Who Is It For?
First up, you have to consider the kids who will be attending; how old they are, and how many there are. Many Sunday school programs like to cap around the 3rd grade, while others will run later, ending after elementary school. This decision is entirely up to you and whether you have the resources or think it would be useful to have a wider scope. Equally, choosing to focus on a smaller age group can help a kids’ ministry to be more effective.
Who Will Run It?
Now you have to consider who will be in charge of running the kids ministry. Choosing the right workers and volunteers is key when setting up your Sunday school, as energetic and enthusiastic individuals will have a contagious energy. We also recommend properly training your volunteers, so that they are confident and responsible in their roles.
Rather than out-sourcing a leader, or hiring someone new, why not consider someone who is already involved with the church? If there is a good candidate who has shown themselves to have the desired qualities, then keeping leadership roles within your church community is preferred, as a way of rewarding hard work and dedication.
What Format Will It Follow?
Some Sunday schools prefer to have the children involved in the adult service up to a certain point so that they can get a feel of the community, whereas others prefer to keep the kids' ministry section entirely separate. Also, while some prefer to have a relaxed atmosphere for the kids where they can sing and read stories, others opt for the setup of a ‘classroom’ environment.
If you would like to take a more organized approach with your ministry, then a children’s ministry curriculum package could be just what you need. You can read about our top 9 picks for kids’ ministry curriculum here! With a vast selection of options available, the final decision comes down to what your church’s central mission is.
Your budget might not quite cover some of the more expensive curriculum options out there, but don’t worry – there are ways to get past this. There are a great number of free Sunday school curriculum options and resources out there, so making Sunday school fun doesn’t have to cost a dime!
How to Maintain It
Once your kids' ministry is up and running, you have to keep the energy levels up, so the youngsters of your community can’t wait to see what’s in store for them each Sunday. While this can be difficult, we have a few top tips to help you maintain a buzz and excitement around your kids' ministry, while keeping it safe and organized.
Check-in Desks
Developing a check-in, check-out system is crucial for maintaining the safety of the kids that attend. This can be through a ‘check-in’ station format or digital means. Using QR codes to track attendance can be a great way to follow patterns of attendance and quickly see who is attending and who isn’t. Plus, it enables you to have crucial information about all the kids in attendance, such as medical conditions, ready to be seen by any volunteer that’s working.
Versatile Use of Space
Making good use of the space you have is vital in spurring the kids' engagement with the content they’re being taught. If you have a large space, why not incorporate some fun Bible object lessons for kids that can double as experiments? Switching up the format of classes is shown to increase the attention span of kids while letting your volunteers have some fun too!
Organization
Organization is key with a kids ministry, as time is of the essence at Sunday school. As we only get an hour or two with kids on a weekly basis, we must maximize the impact of our classes. Or, we can influence parents and families to continue the learning at home, and ‘think orange’. There is nothing worse than an hour lost by scrambling for an activity, so preparation is everything.
The weight of prepping is lifted when you opt for a ministry curriculum, as some will provide you with unique course plans for each age group of kids. Saving you the stress of adapting lessons for a variety of ages and abilities, a set ministry curriculum is the preferred choice for many. Couple that with a software package, or some useful digital tools, and you will see your Sunday school made simple.
With ample tools at our fingertips to transform the way we teach young kids, we can provide a more exciting learning environment than ever before. When you can share videos and songs on the big screen with a church presentation software, the potential for your kids' church lessons will take on a life of its own.
Looking for a good deal? With every purchase of the Think Orange curriculum, you get a free subscription to one of the best church presentation software options out there! Set your church up with the digital resources you need to start a solid kids ministry and see it grow into a successful, safe space where kids can practice their faith and learn about God.
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