Three Strategies for February That Will Transform Your Kids Ministry This Fall
Finding Space In February
Over the years of doing kids and student ministry, certain months seem to stand out as busy. You’re aware of the big ones. December is crazy with Christmas and Advent traditions, April (or occasionally March) brings Easter, you’ve got VBS in June or July, and then you spend August getting ready for a new school year and all your fall activities.
It can feel like as soon as you’re through one crazy season, another one is in the batter's box, ready to step up to the plate of your calendar, and knock your stress out of the park. Thankfully, in the midst of a crazy church calendar there is one wonderful month that offers a break from all the craziness. Welcome to February! What makes February so great? Let’s find out.
1. February is a month for REST.
You know you’re supposed to rest during the holidays, but of course you didn’t. You were busy with Christmas events, wrapping up school, family parties, and end-of-year activities. A thousand unplanned-for things took center stage, and all your attention. In all likelihood, January has been equally challenging because everything you didn’t finish last year got pushed to the new year. Ministries are re-launching, and you’re trying to get volunteer slots filled, and teachers comfortable with the new curriculum for the year.
In the midst of all that, February offers you a reprieve to think about the rest of year. You can plan your ministry year proposals (something that should be completed by April), consider new ministry opportunities, and rest from the inevitable busyness of the new year. This is your chance to catch your breath as you dream about what the rest of the year might look like.
2. February is a month to RECRUIT for the fall.
As you’re planning for the year ahead, February is a great time to consider the volunteer team you’ll need to pull it off. In his book, Sustainable Children’s Ministry, Mark Devries writes, “Begin this process in February if you want a full roster by August or September. The kind of people you want on your team are typically the kind of people who plan ahead, who are already confirming their fall commitments in the spring … Asking in advance communicates that the volunteer role you are seeking to fill is as important as serving on the PTA, as a Scout leader, or as a soccer coach (roles that almost always get nailed down three to five months ahead of time).”
“The best leaders you can recruit aren’t likely to respond to a last minute appeal right before you need them.”
I know you could use this month to urge people to serve this spring, but resist the urge if possible. Look ahead, and pursue the people you want trained up and ready to go for the fall. The best leaders you can recruit aren’t likely to respond to a last minute appeal right before you need them. Instead, let February be your month to make “big asks” of the best leaders you can find to build your team for the fall. Why so early? From Mark’s quote above, people need time.
Think about it. If someone were asking you to make a big commitment, how soon would you want them to ask you? You’d want to know about the opportunity as early as possible so that you’d have adequate time to pray, consider the cost and sacrifice involved, and prepare for the new role. Show them the value in the opportunity by demonstrating that it’s a decision they need to weigh carefully. The more time you give a potential volunteer the better.
3. February is a month for REALIGNMENT as a leader and for your team.
As you find time to rest this month, carve out some time to read, study, and pray as you look toward what the year ahead has in store. Revisit a book that helped shape your ministry. Find a day to get away to dream about what might be on the horizon for your ministry or your team. Connect with other kids ministry leaders that might encourage you as you jump into the spring. Take advantage of the lack of major holidays or ministry requirements on your calendar to realign your own leadership, spiritual disciplines, ministry vision, etc.
February is the month where I’ve been most free to explore cohorts or conferences where I’m learning from others on a variety of ministry topics, or building relationships with different churches. Sometimes these learning opportunities are specific to next generation ministry, but sometimes I’ll look for broader training like recruiting volunteers, or cultivating friendships as a pastor. It’s easier for me to get away during February instead of wedging it in to my busy summer or fall calendar.
“I’ve used this month to start asking myself and key leaders big questions about the state of the ministry, and where we need to grow.”
While it’s good to realign yourself with your ministry, it’s also important to realign your team. February can be the perfect time for a team vision day, a retreat, or an appreciation dinner. Invite them to read a book together, or dream about the future with you. This could be a strategic month to build relationally with your volunteers, other leaders in your church, or connect with a parent who needs help. I use this month to start asking myself (and key leaders) big questions about the state of the ministry, and where we need to grow. I see this as planing seeds for formal ministry plans that will bloom later in the year.
Looking at realignment is also an opportunity to see what changes need to take place with your current team in the fall, even as you are recruiting new leaders. Mark DeVries adds, “Sometimes, we think we can’t begin recruiting in February because we won’t know what we need until the summer, because volunteers don’t usually tell us what their fall plans are in February or March! February is a great time to check in with each team member, asking them how they feel about returning in the fall. Don’t let this month go without leveraging it for extended time in prayer as you think about the future of your team and your ministry.”
February is for the Fall
As children’s ministry leaders, we need to build in a moments for rest, vision, and fun. What if the next few weeks were that for you personally, and for you team? February might not be your favorite month, but it could become the single most important month on your calendar.