Spirit Led Leaders Mentor and Equip

Spirit-led Leader empowers and mentor
Spirit-Led Leadership, Part 3
Pastor Tamera Kraft
http://revivalfire4kids@att.net
Free Gift: The Great Race - Children's Annointing Service

Partial Transcript:
Finding help in children’s ministry is every childrens pastor’s nightmare. Many times, it’s because when they do find someone to help, they don’t give clear direction or mentor those workers on how to do ministry. Most leaders don’t understand how to empower or mentor those under them. But don’t worry. Help is on the way.

In Exodus 18, Moses father-in-law warned him he would wear himself out. He needed to mentor and empower people to help him.

Exodus 18:24-25 (NIV) Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Moses listened and learned he couldn’t do it on his own. Neither can you.

Paul also encourage leaders to equip people for ministry. 

Eph. 4:11-12 (NIV) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

But how do we do that when we can’t find anyone to help?

Pray for Workers in the Harvest.
Matthew 9:38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Don’t just pray for anyone. Pray for the right people to help. Make serving in children’s ministry a blessing and an honor. When you stand in front of the congregation asking for help, let them know the wonderful things that are happening. Draw them in. Don’t recruit out of frustration.

Ask God for your number 2 to mentor to train in the ministry. You can’t find that person on your own, but God will bring that person to you when you are determined to mentor that person.

That means you allow that person to make mistakes, and you allow that person to be trained in ministry. You will pour into your number 2 until that person is able to take over the ministry. If you try to control everything, you won’t be able to allow that person to flourish. Also encourage your #2 to find his or her own #2 to pour into. It also means you, at some point, will probably lose your number 2 to another ministry or church. That’s okay. It means it is time to mentor another #2. If your #2 has mentored someone, you already have the next #2.

Develop a team. A team is developed out of relationships, not out of ministry needs. Build relationships with people in the church, and it will be easier to find workers. Once you find those works, develop close relationships with them.

A word of warning. Don’t always choose people who are like you for your team. God gives team members different gifts and personalities to fill different needs just as He does the body of Christ. I’m a big picture organizer. I see the big picture then fill in the details. A detail oriented person who is a perfectionist is a great team member for me because she will remind me of details I’ve missed.

Be creative about choosing team members. All the people on your team won’t be teaching during children’s church. Some will be parents or spiritual leaders in the church that offer different perspectives. Others will want to help with big events or intercede with you. This committee will assist you in so many different ways by giving you support.

Find other resource people. Not everyone God puts in your path will be a front person or helper for children’s ministry. You might find a music or drama person that helps with Christmas plays. An artist might be willing to help you with set design. Then there are those who like to sew costumes or bake cupcakes. An organized person might want to help you organize your resources. Think outside of the box, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right people.

Equip your students for ministry

Many children’s leaders ignore their best resource for children’s ministry, the students. Teach students to run sound and projection, to be on the praise team, to contact visitor, to run the church store, and eventually, to lead worship, do object lesson, and even preach. Not only will you have more workers, you’ll be discipling children for ministry.

That’s all for today. Join me next week for Part 4 of Spirit-led leadership. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit notify so you won’t mess a single episode.