Heartprints

Blast Off Into A New Galaxy With Extraordinary Leadership Ideas – Part One

Is your leadership style blah and somewhat boring?  Could you use some rocket power ideas to blast into your children’s ministry this fall?  Do you desire for your leadership to reach out into a new galaxy full of energy, lighting up your children’s ministry with the love of Jesus.  Do you seek to lead your volunteers to shine like stars and sparkle brightly in the classroom where children grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus? Then it’s time to blast off and take your volunteers to new heights as they experience God’s grace through your leadership.

Is your leadership style blah and somewhat boring?  Could you use some rocket power ideas to blast into your children’s ministry this fall?  Do you desire for your leadership to reach out into a new galaxy full of energy, lighting up your children’s ministry with the love of Jesus.  Do you seek to lead your volunteers to shine like stars and sparkle brightly in the classroom where children grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus? Then it’s time to blast off and take your volunteers to new heights as they experience God’s grace through your leadership.

Below are the first six of twelve Blast Points that will help you in the process of developing your own leadership style as you energize, ignite, and equip your volunteers to a new level of service and blast them into a new galaxy of children’s ministry.  Fall is a great time to start with these new extraordinary leadership ideas. 

Blast Point 1:  Pray for Wisdom…Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom,and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

A good leader will pray for God’s wisdom as they lead in ministry.  Don’t let your human nature dictate the way you lead your volunteers.  Seek God’s agenda not your own.  Be known as the leader who prays.   

Blast Point 2:  Develop Lasting Relationships…Matthew 12:33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.

A good leader develops relationships with volunteers.  Don’t be too busy for your volunteers.  Seek time to get to know each volunteer by name and find out their interests and talents.  Be known as the leader who is a friend not a manager or dictator.   

Blast Point 3:  Seek Volunteers With Different Life Experiences…Psalm 145:4 One generation will praise your deeds to another, and tell about your mighty acts! 

A good leader seeks volunteers of different ages.  Don’t be caught up by allowing only volunteers who are parents or young to middle aged adults to volunteer in your children’s ministry program.  Seek opportunities to include retired adults and grandparents into your program for a new perspective.  Be known as the leader who allows variety. 

Blast Point 4:  Choose Passionate Volunteers…1 Peter 4:10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

A good leader selects volunteers that have a passion for the ministry.  Don’t be desperate and beg for volunteers. Seek opportunities to find those who are gifted in the area of children’s ministry and utilize their God given giftedness with a love for children.  Be known as the leader who’s volunteers serve with passion and excellence.

Blast Point 5:  Keep Positive and Stay Focused… Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Proverbs 15:4 Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit. Ephesians 4:29 You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

A good volunteer stays positive with actions, words, and behavior. Don’t let your emotions dictate the way you handle a problem.  Seek God first for wisdom when  there is a challenge or an issue in your program before blowing off steam.  Be known as the leader who is calm and compassionate.

Blast Point 6:  Express Expectations With a Planned Vision..Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 

A good leader will express expectations and the vision for the ministry with authority.  Don’t overlook the importance of scheduling a volunteer party or meeting at the beginning of each year to discuss your vision and plans for the ministry.  Seek ways to present your vision for the ministry regularly and promote ways for your team to move towards that goal. Make it fun with excitement but, make it informative with a plan and purpose to move the ministry forward.  Be known as the leader with attainable goals and expectations.

To Be Continued…

 
 

Lisa Goodyear holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education, with a focus in Children's Ministry, from Dallas Theological Seminary. She has over twenty-eight years of local children's ministry, as well as an extensive background in early childhood education and international ministry to children. Currently, she is serving with the family/children’s ministry in her local church in Shawnee, Kansas. Lisa's passion is to see children from every nation, tongue, and tribe trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and grow in their relationship with Him. She is married to Rolla and they have two grown children and three grandchildren and a little Yorkie, Romeo. Lisa lives in Olathe, Kansas.