Leadership tools

Growing and leading a great team of leaders takes time, prayer, perseverance, wisdom and many coffees! On this page, you will find some practical tools and tricks to help you plan your children's ministry, some input that may help you continue to grow as a leader. 

NEW Kid's Ministry Planning

Along with our yearly wallplanner above, it can be helpful to have a simple template to plan out each session. A few years ago we shared a 'Children's Ministry Ninja' planning resource, which we have updated, with some of the common session ideas that may need to be included. Which ones can you delegate to others? Which bits do you need to remember? 
Download A4 pdf template 
Download A3 pdf template (this could be printed as a booklet)

Annual wall planners

Planning for 2025? We've put together a wall planner you can download, and print off as many copies your heart desires. It's set up as an A3, but you can always ask your local printer to print it larger for you. It has school holidays, liturgical colours, and special church days Enjoy!

Wall planner for home/office printing

Intergenerational Conversations Podcast for church leaders

A series of conversations around the topics of intergenerational ministry, with a range of ecumenical leaders from churches and organisations in New Zealand.

Are you a church leader looking for ways to strengthen discipleship across the generations? This podcast will inspire you with ways to grow meaningful intergenerational relationships where faith can flourish. Join us around the table as experienced leaders from different denominations and contexts in Aotearoa New Zealand tell stories, share experiences and open possibilities. Together, they are the Intergenerational Collective New Zealand. 

Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Where is your children and families' ministry heading?

MAP Your MINISTRY toolkit

Leadership podcasts

​​Parenting Cue Live Monthly podcasts, including 

• Raising Technologically Responsible Kids
• It Takes A Village
• Growing A Kid's Faith​

Supporting your team

Recruiting Young Leaders
Recruiting and Keeping Young Leaders

Thank you
We put together these printable thank you cards for National Volunteer Week. Print them off one sided, and write a personal note on the back. Drop them off to your volunteers, stuck to their favourite treat.

Safe Practices
We recommend that all your team members are trained in child protection issues and are given tools to recognise child abuse. All team leaders should be trained in how to support their team members, run safe programmes, respond well in emergency situations and ensure safe environments. For more information, see our Safety page

Special Needs

• Want to make your children and youth ministry inclusive? Urban Saints have some ideas here

The New Zealand Children's Ministry Network is a group of passionate children's ministry leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand. We're proud to be a part of the whānau. 

NZCMN.org.nz