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The Children's Pastor and the Senior Pastor: God's Unique Ministry Team

By Lon Flippo and J. D. Watson

Dear Senior Pastor:

Read part two—addressed to the Children's Pastor: "...my job as senior pastor is perhaps one of the most unique job portfolios of any occupation known to man. Quite possibly, though, your job as children's pastor equals mine in its uniqueness...." Show me part two...

As your children's pastor I have a few things on my heart I would like to share with you. I share these things so you might have a better understanding of my ministry and who I am as a person. I appreciate your leadership and am hopeful that these matters of the heart will draw us closer in our ministry to the people of our church.

1. I desire to be part of the ministry team and have input in the direction of my ministry. Please allow me to contribute to the church's bigger picture; I believe I have a lot to offer. Don't assume I only care about my area of ministry; I want to help the church in anyway I can. Please accept my contribution as a concerned member of the ministry team and church.
2. I'm a minister, not a baby-sitter. As a children's pastor, I disciple children as well as the adult teachers and leaders who work in the classrooms. Every child needs a biblical moral compass to guide and protect him or her throughout life. Help me to dispel the myth that children's workers are baby-sitters. Let's teach people that kids are valuable members of the body of Christ. I'll do my part to have substance and merit in my ministry if you do your part in showing people that children are growing in Christ.
3. I minister to the leaders in all our children's programs, the children, and anyone else who crosses my path. I care about people. My teachers are very important to me. I understand that I could be their only personal touch with church leadership for the week. I'm representing you when I talk and fellowship with them. Trust me and see the scope of my ministry.
4. Please support me from the pulpit so people can recognize the importance of children's ministries. I need visibility to help me recruit volunteers. Recruiting in a vacuum burns me out. I don't have to be exalted, but it's tough to find people when they don't know you. Visibility creates vision. Allow me to share my vision and people will know my heart for kids. If I am hidden, my passion will perish.
5. Please take time to notice, recognize, and appreciate the people who give up their "feeding" time to work with our kids. Just a word or two from you, their shepherd, will make a difference. Your words count, pastor. If volunteers know that what they do (unseen and often unheard) is appreciated, they come back repeatedly with a heart full of service and love. Help them feel their role as a member of the church's ministry team is as vital as any other role.
6. Recognize that teachers need to be trained, not just shoved into a classroom. Part of my job involves discipling them, and without training, they will grow weary. Without training, we won't be growing disciples in Christ—we'll be scurrying to find replacements. Any soldier without training will die, and any teacher without training will soon burn out. Help me in any way you can; I value your expertise and knowledge.
7. Challenge everyone to do his or her part in ministry. Aren't you tired of 20 percent doing 80 percent of the work? Help me by encouraging through the Word and actual application the importance of everyone being involved. Together we'll give people a complete picture of the body of Christ. Every believer has a purpose in advancing the mission of the church.
8. Understand that children's ministry cannot and likely will not generate income—it requires a substantial budget to be effective. If we are unwilling to put resources into ministries that are not self-sufficient, children's ministries will suffer. Children are dependent on their parents for survival and their church for spiritual survival. When the bottom line is discussed in budget meetings, believe with all your heart that this is one area we can't afford to sacrifice.
9. Please don't put my spouse in a box by assuming her spiritual gifts and or talents are only for children's ministry. Every person has unique gifts that need to be developed and used to strengthen the church. If my wife is fulfilled and happy, we as a couple will be at peace and will stay longer. See my spouse as a part of the Body, use her gifts appropriately, and the church will benefit.
10. Let me minister to the kids as my expertise has prepared me. Kids are not little adults; they need ministry on their own level of understanding. Be comfortable that although the tools are different, the message is still the same. I know my methods and style may seem unconventional, but every child deserves the presentation of the gospel at his or her level of understanding. Treat me with dignity as an expert in children's ministry, pay me a fair salary, and I will feel appreciated and want to continue my ministry in your church.
11. Don't confine me to only working with children. See me as Paul saw Timothy; I may have other gifts and burdens as well. For example, I might occasionally appreciate the opportunity to lead an adult ministry or to preach. This would help my spouse and me to meet adults who don't have kids. It will also help break the routine of my ministry. Such interaction and opportunities will again lengthen my desire to stay because I will be less likely to feel frustrated and burn out.

Finally, Pastor I wish to pledge my loyalty and support to you as my pastor and my leader. I will always support your decisions publicly. If I have concerns, I will talk with you-and you alone-about those issues. I also submit myself to your authority and give myself in loyalty to you and your leadership. In return, I ask you to consider me a part of your ministry, a vital team player. Don't look at me as a hireling. Look at me as a pastor to the children of your church. Recognize my gifts in this area, and I will help you to grow the church both numerically and spiritually. My heart is to pastor the children just as you pastor the adults. I want to be your companion in ministry. I love kids, and I love you as my pastor.

For Christ and Kids,

Your Fellow Servant

Lon Flippo, former children's ministries consultant for the Assemblies of God, serves as senior pastor of Faith Assembly of God, Beech Grove, Indiana.