- 1). Talk with your church leadership about starting a music ministry unless you are beginning your organization independently. Be clear about what purpose the ministry will serve and what you are willing to offer your church. For example, you could offer choir practices on Wednesday night or Saturday clinics for young singers.
- 2). Select a start date. Set the date at least several months in advance. This will give you time to build and train your leadership team, pray for your ministry and develop details about your first performance.
- 3). Choose an area where you will hold regular practices. The room should be large enough to train children comfortably.
- 4). Recruit leadership to help you build the children's ministry. Invite people with musical backgrounds such as choir directors and dance teachers to participate in your ministry. Enlist the help of parents in your ministry. Approach parents with specific tasks and ministry opportunities like bringing a snack or ironing choir robes.
- 5). Name your children's ministry. Choose a name that is easy to remember and reflects the "personality" of your ministry. For example, GANG, an acronym for God's Anointed Now Generation is a play on the normally derogatory word 'gang.' Use your new name on advertising to draw interest to your new ministry. Place it on advertisements in the church bulletin or community newsletter.
- 6). Select your first musical project. Customize the project to fit the group size you would like to begin with. Be prepared to make changes to the project, such as swapping around parts, to suit your actual numbers.
- 7). Invite children to participate. Use word-of-mouth, flyers, church bulletins and email blasts to invite children to come to your ministry practices. Designate practices "kids only"--except for special occasions like dress rehearsals--to keep kids focused on practice. Never restrict curious parents from making the occasional visit, however.
- 8). Publish your practice times and rules in a brochure for kids to take home. The brochure should appeal to both parents and kids. Use bright graphics and photographs to appeal to the kids. Include pertinent information in easy to read fonts for parents to read.
- 9). Hold your first practice. Mingle the practice with fun activities. Kids learn faster in an enjoyable environment. Take breaks to play a game like "Simon Says" or "Hide and Seek."
SHARE
