Published on: 17/02/2026
Why? All too often in children, youth and families’ ministry we can find ourselves wondering why. Why are we scrubbing Sharpie off the parish hall tables? Why are we scraping glue out of the church carpet? Why are we cutting out 50 sheep?
There is lots about children and youth ministry that is mundane and seemingly irrelevant. But these things are all part of the role that we are called to when we work with children and young people. It’s not all fun and games and there is lots about children’s ministry that is unseen, difficult or just not very interesting. But these things are vital to making the ministry happen.
Through these moments it’s helpful to remember your why – why are you working with children and young people and what motivates you? There are likely to be many reasons for being on the youth or children’s teams at church; you enjoy spending time with young people, you want to share the Gospel with children, you like being creative or you feel called to ministry with children. Sometimes revisiting your why can give you a renewed sense of purpose.
Our motivation for working with children and young people can also come from the example Jesus set. In the Gospels, we see Jesus welcoming children, blessing them, and declaring that the Kingdom of God belongs to them. Jesus valued children and young people and when we serve on children’s or youth teams we reflect that same heart. We demonstrate through giving of our time and energy that young people matter to God and to the Church. Children and young people are not just the future of the Church, but they are a vital part of the church today.
But motivation isn’t always enough and when things are difficult it can waver. That’s when community and being part of a team can help to sustain motivation. Serving as part of a supportive team – praying together, sharing ideas, and encouraging one another – helps to overcome the challenges of ministry. Not every church has a big team of volunteers supporting your children’s ministry, but having a few trusted people alongside you can make a huge difference.
On Saturday 7 March the Joined Up Conference will offer a chance to be part of the wider community of those invested in ministry with children and young people across the Diocese of Sheffield and ecumenically. It’s a day to be inspired, to learn and to refresh your motivation for working with children and young people. Joined Up isn’t just for those on the children’s ministry teams, it’s for anyone with a leadership role in church who values children as Jesus did.
In choosing to work with children and young people, we invest in lives that will shape families, communities, and churches for generations to come and knowing what motivates us can help when things are tough. Perhaps you could spend a few minutes today writing down what motivates you.
This week’s Blog post was written by Sarah Beardsmore, Centenary Project Manager