How to Train Children’s Ministry Volunteers in a Small Church

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How to Train Children’s Ministry Volunteers in a Small Church

The people who serve your children every Sunday deserve more than a quick orientation and a curriculum packet. They deserve real training, real support, and real appreciation.

For a complete training guide on facilitation skills, see our guide to facilitating small groups.

For a practical guide to building a men’s ministry from scratch, see our men’s ministry guide for small churches.

For a practical guide to what technology your church actually needs, see our small church technology stack guide.

In most small churches, children’s ministry runs on the goodwill of a handful of faithful volunteers. They show up every week, love the kids, and figure it out as they go. That is admirable. It is also a liability, because volunteers who are not trained are volunteers who are not protected, and neither are the children they serve.

Before Training: Screening

Every volunteer working with children must complete a written application and a background check before they serve. No exceptions. This protects children, volunteers, and your church.

  • Written application: Name, contact information, references, ministry interest, and a brief statement of faith
  • Background check: Use Protect My Ministry or Ministry Safe. Run checks annually.
  • Reference check: Call at least one reference who has seen the volunteer in a ministry or childcare context
  • Waiting period: Require new members to attend for at least 6 months before serving with children

Orientation: What Every Volunteer Must Know

The Two-Adult Rule

No volunteer is ever alone with a child or group of children. Two unrelated adults must be present at all times. This protects children from abuse and protects volunteers from false accusations. It is not optional.

Mandatory Reporting

Every volunteer must know that if a child discloses abuse or they observe signs of abuse, they are required to report it to church leadership and to civil authorities. Walk through your church’s specific reporting process.

Emergency Procedures

Where is the first aid kit? What do you do if a child has a medical emergency? What is the lockdown procedure? Every volunteer must know the answers before they serve.

Allergy and Medical Information

Volunteers must know which children in their class have allergies or medical conditions. This information should be on a class roster available every Sunday.

Put orientation in writing.
Give every volunteer a one-page summary they can keep. Have them sign a form confirming they have read and understood the policies. Keep that form on file.

Curriculum Training

Volunteers should not encounter the curriculum for the first time on Sunday morning. Provide lesson materials at least one week in advance. For new volunteers, walk through the first lesson with them before they teach it alone.

Ongoing Training

  • Quarterly volunteer meetings: 45 minutes, cover one topic, share wins and challenges, pray together
  • Annual training day: A half-day event covering child safety, curriculum updates, and volunteer appreciation
  • One-on-one check-ins: The children’s ministry leader meets briefly with each volunteer once a quarter
  • Online training: Ministry Safe offers online child safety training volunteers can complete on their own time
6 months
minimum attendance before serving with children
2 adults
required in every classroom at all times
Annual
frequency for background check renewal

Keeping Volunteers

  • Thank volunteers specifically and publicly, not just generically
  • Give volunteers a scheduled Sunday off every 6 to 8 weeks
  • Ask volunteers what they need rather than assuming
  • Celebrate wins, a child who memorized a verse, a family that returned because of children’s ministry
Start with safety.
If your children’s ministry has no written policies, no background checks, and no two-adult rule, start there. Safety is the foundation everything else is built on.

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