How do I recruit team?

Welcome to the third of our blog posts exploring those FAQs we see all the time on Facebook groups for kids ministers! Here’s one that’s  been around since the Old Testament... how do I recruit team?

As with all these questions we’re trying to think outside the box, and we know there have been many fantastic comments, articles, even books(!) over the years with advice but here’s what we think it takes to not just recruit but retain a great team!

1)      Get Talking!

To paraphrase Romans 10 v 14 “If you want them to join the team, you have to tell them about the team!” Children’s ministry shouldn’t feel like the secret service (pun-intended). Let the church family taste the excitement of what God is doing!  Personally, I’m not a big fan of the children being paraded in front of the church to show off their cute craft... but I do want the church to hear stories of what is happening during our teaching times!  If you and your church leadership can share stories and vision with the wider community, it’s a great opportunity to get people intrigued - once they realise they’re missing out by not being on the team, you might even get them coming to you!

Here's some examples.

• Share with the church what topics and themes are being taught in your groups each week or month – so that they know they won’t miss out on spiritual learning and growth by being ‘out with the kids’.

• Share stories and testimonies of moments of spiritual connection and encounter in your sessions – raise excitement and expectation that God is moving in your teaching times.

2)      Get specific!

People love to contribute when they know exactly how they can make a difference, so think about what you actually need in your team! Where are the small specific gaps right now? Could you just recruit a fabulous storyteller, or craft maker, or somebody you know would be an asset alongside a specific child? The chances of finding a ready-made volunteer with the broad skillset to run a full session are slim... and if you’re screaming this question into the void of the internet then the reality is that you’re probably feeling a little desperate. Being specific and intentional about recruiting might feel like a slow process, but for everybody you can find with a passion for a specific task the pressure is reduced. It might be that your craft enthusiast can take on responsibility for prepping the materials each week and take that job from your to do list. Perhaps your avid storyteller could be asked to research new Bibles for the group. Start to think of your recruits as a team on more than just a Sunday morning, even if somebody can only be on the rota once a month, their expertise is now on the team full time!

3) Value their time

It may sound counterintuitive but make sure that your team have enough to do! Give them ownership within the sessions rather than feeling like they are just a body in the room to meet safeguarding targets. Message the team early in the week and ask if there are any aspects of the session, they would like to take the lead on, or ask them specifically to lead a game, or share a testimony.

We know that being out with the children means missing out on teaching from the main service, but we can’t expect our team to be confident sharing scripture and guiding children in relationship with God if they aren’t feeling connected themselves. This term in our church we’ve trialled a Bible study for the children’s ministry team first thing in the morning – it’s a space to just pause, and focus on ourselves – to fuel ourselves for the session and make sure we’re spiritually fed. When team members feel spiritually fed, they serve from overflow, not exhaustion.

Your team are more likely to show up on time, engage with the session and help with pack down if they feel useful and a part of the ministry. Make time to thank them for their contributions and offer feedback and praise.

4) Invest in your team

Honouring your team is about more than just buying them a box of chocolates at Christmas, it is recognising that they have stepped into a calling and ministry. Make time to write messages of encouragement and thanks to your team, ask God for a word of knowledge or blessing to share with them. (If you’re not confident to do this could you ask somebody else with this gifting in the church to help you?)  Create opportunities to gather together as team and be trained and equipped.

Invest in training opportunities for the whole team together, or for specific individuals who you see a passion in or want to encourage to improve their skills. Use resources that help grow confidence in your team. At Foundationstones Resources we embed Bible Literacy into our materials and provide simple guides to help lead times of encounter, we want everybody to be able to pick them up and lead with confidence. 

Helping teams grow in confidence — especially with the Bible — is something we’re passionate about at Foundationstones Resources, and we’re excited to keep creating tools and opportunities that support you as you invest in them.

5) Use who God gives you

Jesus had the most random bunch of helpers – fishermen, tax collectors and tradesmen – the Bible does not tell us that any of the disciples were trained in kid’s ministry! But somehow God used them... and the church was born. The reality is that God can and will use anyone who is willing to be led and guided by Him. It might take a little creativity and a lot of patience, but part of our role is spotting and drawing out the gifts God has put into our team. We are not alone in our recruitment journey, pause, pray and ask God to help bring you a team... just be prepared to think outside the box about how to release them into their calling!