Psalm 127:3 says, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward." One of the most important things many parents look for in a church is how it will help their little ones learn about the Bible. While some churches tend to entertain and babysit children until they reach an age when they can grasp the ideas in the Bible, other churches hire a trained children's minister to partner with parents to teach their children the Bible. These children's ministers can be popular with parents who are reluctant to share this responsibility, since these ministers are usually trained in seminary and are gifted in working with kids. The specific job description for these ministers can vary from one Baptist church to another.
Teaching
Most job descriptions for children's ministers highlight teaching as their main job. Baptist churches usually do most of their teaching in Sunday School and in special classes, often on Wednesdays. If the church is small, the children's minister will often teach the kids herself. In large churches, however, she will usually supervise the children's teachers and help them find class materials. She may also help select the children's Sunday School teachers and childcare workers to find those best in working with kids.
Event Planning
A children's ministers plans and enlists volunteers for special events geared toward the church's children. She may help plan Vacation Bible School, a common Baptist children's outreach, in which children are invited to a week-long, daily time of crafts, games and Bible study. She may also help organize summer church camps since she is often the best-equipped staff member to understand the spiritual needs of children. She may be required to plan a monthly "children's church" where she shares a brief message with the kids during the normal church service.
Parental Counseling
Parents of children often need spiritual training and counseling, too. A children's minister will sometimes be asked to work with parents to start a home Bible study. She may help parents who have challenging kids with behavior problems by using a Biblical point of view. She may also help parents share the Christian plan of salvation with their children and may be the staff member enlisted to baptize them once they do become believers.
Other Considerations
Baptist churches may have overlap between jobs of the children's and youth minister. Children's ministers usually shepherd children from the baby years until some point in their late elementary or early junior-high years. The two of these staff members work together to help kids spiritually grow into adulthood. Children's ministers often have administrative functions such as creating and working within a budget. AWANA groups or Upward Sports programs, which offer a Christian alternative for camps and sports leagues, are often run or assisted by children's ministers.