Church Job Descriptions for Preschool & Children's Ministry

A parish church

Being a pastor to children and their families is a challenging job. Whether your ministry is large or small, urban or rural, traditional or modern, it's a position that requires sensitivity, compassion, energy and faith. A children's minister tends, educates, and inspires children, plans and leads events and services, and helps children and their parents grow together spiritually.

Child Care Skills

Any candidate for a preschool or children's minister needs to have child care skills, honed in a setting that includes primary responsibility for multiple children. Knowledge of how to plan and supervise children's activities, how to deal with medical emergencies and how to positively direct the energy of a large group of children is essential. Some important skills include facilitating play between children, maintaining a clean and safe environment and story-telling.

Teaching Ability

This position requires a candidate to have the ability to teach, instruct, and otherwise educate children in such subjects as Bible stories, moral choices, and peer relations. Candidates should be comfortable with different story-telling styles such as role playing and visual aids, and should possess the ability to relate to children on their level while also maintaining authority and competency. A teacher needs to be able to make the lessons of scripture relevant by helping children apply them to their lives.

Pastoral Presence

Candidates should be able to show evidence of leading a godly life and of having developed a sense of religious faith to use as a resource in ministry. Pastoral presence is defined by the ability to comfort, encourage, inspire and strengthen others as an example of discipleship. Some pastoral skills include consoling a child who has lost a loved one, communicating with parents, and teaching children how to act respectfully in church. The children's minister can also be called on to prepare children for baptism and confirmation, and to collaborate with parents in planning christening services.

Event and Service Planning

A children's minister is frequently called on to organize and plan events such as trips, dinners, plays and holiday activities. Candidates should have the ability to think logically, and to follow all necessary rules for maintaining safety and making events fun and successful. Many churches hold special children's services throughout the year. The children's minister should be able to select appropriate music and scriptures, integrate child and adult participation, and otherwise create an atmosphere that is conducive to worship for the entire congregation.

Leadership Ability

A children's minister is a leader who must be able to delegate and inspire others to action. Candidates should have a good idea of what makes a successful organization and should be the kind of person to whom others look for leadership.

Resources

• Calvary Chapel Golden Springs
• North American Division Children's Ministries