Have you ever dreaded something? I mean really dreaded. Not like, I dread going to the grocery store, or I dread bathing the dog. I mean the real, out-and-out “I don’t know if I can put one foot in front of the other” kind of dread.

One of the most difficult (if not exasperating) parts of leading a children’s ministry is the last minute cancellations of volunteers. There’s no magic pill to avoid this, but let me suggest some best practices regarding volunteer absences. 

There are so many options out there, which one is right for you, your team, and most importantly, your kids? 

In our eyes, these 5 things are the non-negotiables.

If you work with kids, or have kids, or know kids, you are sure to come across a broken-hearted child: one who has a downcast spirit due to the actions of someone else. It might be after one (or more) of their peers has been cruel to them, or maybe it’s after someone talks behind their back. It might even be a foster child whose own mom or dad has broken the sacred trust of parenthood.

We should always aim for the right kind of volunteers. So what do you do with the wrong ones that are currently serving in your ministry, or a new one that doesn’t seem to work out?

One of the most frustrating things to feel as a Children's Director is feeling like you're not being listened to. We talked to a few senior pastors to find out the best ways and times to approach them about the needs for your Ministry... 

Here at KidzLife, we wanted to capitalize on the way God wired our brains to help kids hide God’s word deep down in their core. Check out our ideas and readymade resources to help kids memorize scripture without even trying! 

When we personally invite someone to join God in what He is doing in kids’ ministry, we are not merely “filling a spot.” Rather, we are helping people engage their spiritual gift and make an eternal impact in the lives of children.

It’s hard not to compare, but we must train our kids not to do it! They can’t live their life feeling inferior. They can’t imagine that they are worth less than anyone else. God created their individual DNA–just like He wanted it.

Children have limitless potential for God's kingdom, which is why many children’s pastors see children as their primary focus. But have you considered that you’ll actually get a lot more “bang for your buck” by investing in your volunteers? 

Most certainly you can be the voice for the children and families in your church. Blow the trumpet and sound the alarms for the next generation. Just do so in a way that does more good than harm. Follow these simple, positive steps to get the results you are looking for.

Kids are absorbent. They are always learning. If they get what they want when they fuss, then guess what? They will fuss. They are just doing what they were taught to do. How much more does this apply to our spiritual disciplines?

Train your leaders to always go the extra mile. Train them to make maximum impact. Do whatever it takes to engage kids. It might not be convenient, but it is most definitely worth it.

Do kids worry? You bet they do! And it robs them of the joy God has planned for them. We created a lesson in our curriculum around the principle of "dump and fill." It goes like this: When fear (also known as worry) has a grip on you, dump the lie you are believing and fill your mind with God's truth.

One of the top questions we hear from children’s directors is “How do I get more volunteers?” But a much better question may be: "How do I get the right volunteers?" Companies go through lengthy processes to be sure they’ve hired the right employee, and when they’re wrong, it costs them thousands of dollars. A bad recruit in children’s ministry is much more costly as it can cost the spiritual nurturing of a child