Who Should Lead Your Children's Ministry?

I have been involved in Children's Ministry for nearly 50 years. Over these years I have led several Children's Ministries, so I do believe there absolutely is a place for women to serve and lead, but I also do believe if a church has the option of putting a man in as their Children's Ministry Head, if he is as qualified as a woman, they should hire the man. Why do I write this? Consider the following . . .

• Growing numbers of children in the church come from homes where they do not have a dad present. These children truly need to see church is not just for "girls".
• When a man leads a Children's Ministry, they are often better able to connect with the boys - of all ages, but especially elementary age boys.
• Young girls also need to see church is not just for girls. They need to see what it looks like for a man to love and follow God.

I do believe women are able to effectively lead Children's Ministries and I know many who do. I do believe women are able to connect with children - boys and girls, but in this day and age when so many of our older children and young adults are leaving the church, we need to consider why this is happening. 

I absolutely am convinced in many cases it is because churches only teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe (as they well should), but they do not also teach the "whys" - why we are able to believe God is real, the Bible is true, God and science DO go together, and God is good. Not teaching the "whys" is a big reason children leave their faith - they do not know why they are able to believe. (Check out Anchored - at this link - which will equip you to teach the "whys" to learn how you are able to use it alongside whatever curriculum you use in your church.)

But, this growing trend of our older children, teens, and young adults leaving our church may also have something to do with how they do not see church as a place for them (if they are boys). We need to show them church is for boys and one way we do this is by being sure people who lead our Children's Ministries are men. 

Now, I am not at all saying there is no place for women to lead Children's Ministries - in fact I think perhaps the most effective way to lead a Children's Ministry might be for a man and woman to team lead - women are able to offer so many things a man is not and teaming a qualified woman and qualified man to lead may make your Children's Ministry a truly amazing and effective place for the children in your church and community.

Something to think about.