What does it take to be the “perfect” children’s minister, leader or volunteer? Well first off, there is no such thing, so you can breath a sigh of relief. If I was building one from scratch, here’s what I would include.

EYES

A leader once told me that “leaders have to worship with one eye open”. That means we always have to keep on eye our our sheep and lambs (kids, volunteers, parents and others). Leaders have to see things that others don’t. “Never walk over a piece of trash on the ground” is what we used to say. In the same way leaders don’t walk past a problem they can solve.

EARS

The first part of this is about keeping an open ear to hear feedback from parents, volunteers and kids. Listening can help us take the spiritual temperature of our ministry area. Secondly we must make sure we are hearing the word because faith comes by hearing. What does God’s Word say about your situation? What are you saying about it? Lastly, God is speaking through the person of the Holy Spirit, are you listening? Like Samuel make your cry: “Speak Lord for your servant is listening!”

MOUTH

Here’s where we get in trouble. Often we are writing checks with our mouth that our life can’t cash. Death and life are in the power of the tongue so keep a watch on your words. Are you building up or tearing down with your words about… parents? kids? difficult volunteers? the youth pastor? the lead pastor?

MIND

Is your mind renewed? It won’t stay that way no more than your hair will stay combed. I confess everyday that I have the mind of Christ. I believe and speak that “I am creative because I am made in the image of God who is the creator of all things.” I also like to say “my memory is sharp and keen“. Finally, we need to be sure our mouth is always adorned with a great big smile.

HEART

There is a lot to be said about heart. I think the most important is to have a heart that follows after God. When we follow His heart we don’t have to ask for more passion, love, or anything else. His heart comes with all that we need equipped and fully loaded. I know people like to say “I have a heart for Africa” or “I have a heart for kids”. We need to say “I have God’s heart”!

HANDS

The Bible says that God will bless the work of our hands. That means to me, the more I work, the more opportunity He has to bless. You’ve heard the old adage “work smarter, not harder”? I like to say “work smarter and harder”. Someone paid me a great compliment the other day: “You are one of the hardest workers I know.”

SKIN

You need thick skin to be a leader for the long haul. Notice I said thick skin, not thick head. I think the only way to do this is to learn to walk in love. I like to pray 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and put my name in wherever it says “love”. There is nothing I can’t bear when I’m walking in love. One step out of love is a step into sin.

FEET

Our feet have to do with our spiritual position. In the Old Testament we see many times of them being told to take off their shoes and wash their feet when entering a Holy Place. In the New Testament the armor of God tells us our feet are tied to who we share with others. Our relationship with Him correlates directly with our ability to share with kids and families.We have to be sure that we are walking in God’s grace and righteousness and not in our own.