Networking is a pivotal (but often forgotten) part of any children’s ministry. I learned this working at the Kids Beta Conference. Beta is a small conference that gathers new children’s ministers together in Nashville to address some topics and situations that may come up in the first few years of ministery. It seemed the most recent attendees could talk with one another for hours about their ministrieswhile gaining new ideas from each other. This got me thinking… do they network at home? Do they even know where to begin? Here are a few practical tips to help get to know other #kidmin leaders and maybe even learn a few things along the way:
- Take the lead in calling local children’s minsters to set-up a time for lunch. Meet with a purpose. You don’t have to set an agenda, but see what ideas and tips surface from the discussion. Every month have someone else plan the lunch, but YOU need be one to get things rolling! Bring a notepad and take lots of notes. Don’t look at others in your area as “competing ministries” but partners in ministry.
- Utilize social networking sites. Gather email addresses or name of kids ministry leaders you have met and begin a Facebook group where you all can post ideas to share with one another.
- Go to a conference or two. Learn. Get away. Make connections. These can be great places to meet other children’s ministers and hear new ideas. Gather the email addresses of folks you would love to connect with again down the road.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is normal and good to not know everything about children’s ministry. No one knows it all! Connect with people so that you can share knowledge and gain confidence in yourself as a leader.
If you are or know of a new children’s minister who has been serving in kids ministry for 3 years or less, email klista.storts@lifeway.com to get more info about our next FREE Kids Beta Conference.
Comment if you have any ideas or tips to improve networking between children’s ministry leaders.