I still remember my first full-time job in children’s ministry. I was 21 years old, fresh out of seminary classes (actually had only had a few classes by that point), and full of confidence—the not-so-holy kind. I had experience from a "big" church and thought I had all the answers. Spoiler alert: I did not. I made plenty of mistakes, but God used those failures to grow me. I learned the hard way to listen more than I speak, to seek the wisdom of those who came before me, and to go slow when everything in me wanted to sprint.
If you find yourself in the shoes I once wore—excited, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do first—this post is for you. Here are ten foundational things you can do in your first month as a children’s ministry leader.
1. Get a Church Directory and Start Praying
Grab a church directory, or whatever list of members and families you can access, and begin praying through it. Not just for the kids, but for their families, the volunteers, and the broader church body. Prayer will help you align your heart with the people you're called to serve. It also humbles you, reminding you that you can't do this alone. And, as you pray for someone, make a point of connecting with them the next Sunday - this will help you build meaningful relationships in your church.
2. Get to Know Your Volunteers
Don’t start with evaluations—start with conversations. Ask them how long they’ve served, what they love most, what they find hardest, and how you can support them. Many have weathered seasons of growth and struggle. You’ll gain more wisdom in one listening session than a dozen strategy meetings.
3. Build Relationships with Church Leaders
Meet with the pastor and other ministry leaders. Learn the heartbeat of the church. How does children’s ministry fit into the broader mission? Understanding the vision and values of your church will help you lead in alignment and earn trust quickly. This is beyond valuable whether you're brand new to the church or you've been there for years and are stepping into this new role.
4. Observe Before You Act
It’s tempting to jump in and fix what feels broken, but wait. Spend a few weeks watching, taking notes, and experiencing the ministry from the inside. See what works and what doesn’t. Watch how people interact. Then you'll lead with understanding, not just opinions.
One caveat to this is if you see something that is putting children's safety at risk or a false gospel is being taught. In those cases you may need to act quickly, but you'd be wise to bring in a the pastor or other 'more known' leaders to walk this with you in the beginning if you aren't known or trusted yet.
5. Clarify or Begin to Build a Vision for Children’s Ministry
Ask if there’s an existing mission or vision statement for children’s ministry. What is the why behind the ministry that you do. If not, this is your chance to begin shaping one—but not alone. Invite input. Get buy-in. Your vision should reflect your church’s values and the unique needs of your families.
6. Review Curriculum and Resources
Take stock of what's currently being taught and used in classrooms. Is it biblically solid? Is it developmentally appropriate? Is the gospel being proclaimed? Ask teachers what they love and what they'd love to toss. Use this time to evaluate whether the current materials align with your church's doctrine and mission.
A quick word of warning here is that in this review you may come across some "sacred cows" - programs or ministries that are being done simply because they've always been done. Build a real relationship with the leaders of these programs before ever suggesting something be tossed.
7. Tour the Space Like a New Family Would
Walk through your check-in, classrooms, and hallways like a first-time guest. Is it clean? Welcoming? Easy to navigate? Your fresh eyes are a gift—use them before you get used to how things are. Some of the things to notice are signage, sign in process, lighting, cleanliness, anything that may be confusing.
8. Review Safety Procedures and Volunteer Screening
Don’t assume everything is up to date. Ask questions about background checks, bathroom policies, allergy awareness, and emergency plans. If something is unclear or outdated, make a note to address it soon.
9. Spend Time with the Kids
Jump into a preschool room. Help with worship. Sit on the floor during story time. This isn’t just about connection—it’s about remembering why you took this role in the first place. Let the laughter and little voices fuel your purpose.
10. Find a Mentor Outside Your Church
You need someone who’s a step ahead of you and outside your immediate context. Look for a fellow children’s ministry leader you trust, a seasoned pastor, or a wise layperson who can be your sounding board and prayer partner.
This was one thing I hadn't thought of in my first or even second staff position, but was encouraged by one of my pastors to do and it was invaluable. My first mentor in children's ministry was a woman named Angelia. We met for coffee, I'd go help her clean out her supply closet, we hung out late at night at children's camp and even traveled to some conferences together. She was 10 years ahead of me in ministry and had walked the tough road before me, and she challenged me to cling to Christ through all the ups and downs of ministry.
Children’s ministry leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about faithful presence, humble learning, and gospel-centered love. You don’t have to build everything in your first month. Just begin with prayer, people, and purpose—and trust that God will grow your faithfulness into fruit.