Creating a Safe and Spiritually Enriching Children’s Ministry- Guidelines for Churches

Shaping the Next Generation Children’s ministry is a big responsibility requiring devotion to God and a heart for children. Volunteers must be faithful, available, and teachable (F.A.T.), always God-focused and child-focused.

At [Your Church Name], we believe that children’s ministry is more than just a Sunday school or Children's Church  program—it’s a vital part of raising up the next generation in the faith. Our mission is clear: to create a safe, fun, and spiritually enriching environment where children learn about God’s love and grow strong in the Word so they can be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Devotion and Commitment to the Lord

Children’s ministry is a big responsibility, and serving in this ministry requires a heart fully devoted to the Lord. Volunteers must be committed to their own spiritual growth and relationship with God, ensuring that their first priority is always their devotion and commitment to the Lord.

Guidelines for Churches

To establish a thriving and effective children’s ministry, churches should consider the following:

Leadership & Oversight: Assign a dedicated children’s ministry leader to oversee operations, training, and curriculum.

Clear Policies: Have written guidelines for safety, discipline, volunteer roles, and emergency procedures.

Regular Training: Provide ongoing training for volunteers on child protection, teaching strategies, and spiritual development.

Spiritual Growth: Ensure that all lessons are Bible-based, engaging, and relevant to children's spiritual growth.

Active Parent Involvement: Encourage parents to participate in events, volunteer opportunities, and discussions about their child’s faith journey.

Community Outreach: Engage with the local community through outreach programs, special events, and collaborations with schools or family organizations.

Consistent Evaluation: Regularly assess the effectiveness of the ministry and make improvements where necessary.

Safety First: Protecting Our Children

The safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. That’s why we have clear policies in place:

Check-in & Check-out: Parents or guardians must sign in and sign out their children to ensure proper supervision.

Security: Only authorised staff and volunteers are allowed in children’s ministry areas.

Health & Wellness: To prevent the spread of illness, children must be symptom-free for at least 48 hours before attending. No child with a fever, cough, or flu symptoms will be admitted.

Emergency Procedures: We have well-equipped first aid kits available, and all emergency contacts are kept on record. If an emergency arises, parents will be contacted immediately.

Volunteer Standards: Who Can Serve?

We want every volunteer to reflect Christ’s love to the children. That’s why we have a strict screening process:

Volunteers must be committed Christians, 18 years or older (teen assistants can serve under supervision from 14+).

They must have been a member of the church for at least 6 months and regularly attend a connect group.

Volunteers must have completed a course at the church to ensure they understand our mission, policies, and child safety guidelines.

Police clearance is mandatory for all new volunteers. This can easily be done at places like PostNet, and all volunteers must comply with South African law regarding child protection.

All volunteers must follow the Two-Adult Rule, meaning no child is left alone with a single adult at any time.

We lead by example: If children worship, we worship; if they pray, we pray. Volunteers are spiritual role models. Volunteers must always be God-focused and child-focused. Volunteers must be faithful, available, and teachable (F.A.T). 

Volunteers must always be on time and ready to serve.

Volunteers serve once or twice a month as scheduled to ensure consistency and avoid burnout.

The goal of children’s ministry is not to be on stage but to connect with God, the team, and the children.

Dress Code for Volunteers

We encourage all volunteers to dress in a way that is comfortable, appropriate, and honors the ministry setting:

Clothing should be modest and respectful.

Avoid clothing with offensive slogans or inappropriate imagery.

Comfortable footwear is recommended, as volunteers are often active with the children.

Child Protection: A Safe Space for Spiritual Growth

We believe that every child deserves to learn about Jesus in an environment that is safe and nurturing. Our policies include:

No physical discipline—we use positive reinforcement to guide behavior.

No child is ever left unsupervised.

Any suspected cases of abuse or neglect must be reported to church leadership immediately.

Teaching with Excellence:

Children learn best when lessons are engaging and interactive. That’s why we use:

Bible-based, age-appropriate lessons aligned with our church doctrine.

Exciting and engaging curriculum designed to make learning about God fun and memorable.

Partnering with Parents:

We know that a child’s spiritual growth doesn’t stop after Sunday service. That’s why we encourage parents to be involved by:

Staying informed about what their child is learning each week.

Participating in special church events and programs.

Communicating with our team about any concerns or suggestions.

Discipline with Love:

Children thrive in environments with clear boundaries and loving guidance. Our approach includes: 

Encouraging good behavior through positive reinforcement. Redirecting negative behavior in a way that teaches rather than punishes.

If necessary, involving parents and church leadership to find the best solution for persistent challenges.

Committed to Excellence:

We believe that a thriving children’s ministry requires constant growth. That’s why we:

Provide ongoing training for our volunteers.

Encourage prayer and preparation before every lesson.

Continually evaluate our programs to ensure we are meeting the needs of our children and families.

Join Us in Shaping the Next Generation!

Raising children in the faith is a partnership between the church and families. By following these policies, we ensure that every child in our ministry has a safe, loving, and Christ-centered experience. We invite you to be part of this incredible journey—whether as a parent, volunteer, or supporter.

We also encourage you to support KidzconnectSA, a ministry dedicated to providing excellent biblical resources and curriculum for children’s ministry. Your support helps in equipping churches with tools that make learning about God exciting and impactful.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of our children!