THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION – COME BACK IN JUNE! 🙂
Children’s ministry in a small church isn’t less important — but it is different.
If you’ve ever felt like…
- You’re failing because only a few kids show up
- You’re overwhelmed, undertrained, or stretched too thin
- Every resource you find is built for big churches, big budgets, and big teams
👉 You’re not alone.
Most children’s ministry materials out there just don’t fit the small church context.
But your church matters. And the kids in your care? They matter deeply to God—and to us.
This page is here to help.
We’ve gathered our most helpful, small-church-specific resources in one place:
- Top blog posts for small church children’s ministry
- Top podcast episodes with real-life insight and encouragement
- Affordable tools & trainings like mini-bundles of conference replays curated for specific solutions, practical strategy bundles, training courses, and our Small Church Network membership — designed to help you go deeper and multiply your impact
- Answers to FAQs from small church leaders like you
You don’t need to “scale up” to do meaningful ministry.
God is already at work in your church—even if it feels small or slow. You don’t have to look like a big church to make a big impact.
90% of our resources are free. If you appreciate all the free help you find here, you’ll love what our paid resources can do to save you time and equip your ministry even more.
Feel free to explore or reach out with questions at hello@smallchurchministry.com.
Join our free Facebook community to get answers, encouragement, and support from others serving in small churches. Join now!
Keep scrolling or click a link to skip ahead to the solution you’re looking for!
>> Getting Started & Small Church Solutions
>> Teaching Mixed-Ages & Curriculum Solutions
>> Finding & Keeping the Right Volunteers
>> Outreach & Bringing in New Families
>> Intergenerational Ministry & Church-Wide Support
>> Neurodivergence, Special Needs, & Trauma-Informed Ministry
>> Next-Level Children’s Ministry Training & Support
Getting Started & Small Church Solutions
Not sure where to start or how to restart your children’s ministry? You’re not alone! Many small church volunteers jump in with big hearts but little training or support. We’re here to help you find more joy, less stress, and simple planning tools to reach and teach kids well—without wasting time or money.
Top Blog Posts & Articles:
- Youth & Children’s Ministry In Small Churches
- The Ministry Funnel For Effective Small Church Ministry
Podcast Episodes:
- Episode 123: How To Build A Legacy Kids’ Ministry In A Small Church
- Episode 170: A Great Children’s Ministry Doesn’t Require A Building, A Budget, Or A Brand | with Angela Marks
- Episode 118: Children’s Ministry In Small Churches: Here’s The Gift We Have To Offer | with Natalie Frisk
- Episode 085: 3 Keys To Start (or Restart) A Successful Ministry
- Episode 111: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Planning Parties
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Children’s Ministry Foundations Pack ($29) including Foundations Workbook, Quick Start Guide, Complete Launch Party Plan, Launch Party Promo Graphics, Customizable Welcome Handbook, Complete Policy Handbook Template, Essential Forms
- Children’s Ministry Start Here Course ($29) Where to start, how to spend your time, what’s most important, and both short-term and long-term next steps.
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Healthy Leadership In Children’s Ministry Course ($29) Includes leadership skills, boundaries, personal discipleship, emotional health, and renewal resources.
- Finances, Budgets, & Creative Funding Solutions Course ($29) Create, request, and follow a budget, creative financing, fundraising, building trust, and finding support.
Teaching Mixed-Ages & Curriculum Solutions
Teaching kids of different ages in one room? Not sure what curriculum to use—or if you even need one? You’re not alone. In small churches, flexibility is key, and the best solutions often come from understanding your unique group. Here are some resources to help you navigate mixed-age teaching and curriculum choices with confidence.
Top Blog Posts & Articles:
- 5 Best Strategies For Choosing A Curriculum For Sunday School
- 3 Ways to Prevent Kids’ Disruptions in Small Church Classes
- A Guide To Including Movement In Children’s Ministry
Podcast Episodes:
- Episode 006: Choosing a Curriculum for Children’s Sunday School in Small Churches (& Why It’s Not Quite as Important as You Think)
- Episode 015: Beyond Behaviors: Where Successful Mixed-Age Sunday School Begins
- Episode 067: Try This If You Want Kids To Remember What You Teach With Joy Wendling
- Episode 016: 5 Fresh Ways To Structure Children’s Ministry If You’re Short Volunteers Or Just Need a Break
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Mixed-Ages Classes: How To Reach & Teach Them Together ($15) 5 video session replays, mixed small church experts
- No More Boring Sunday School: Strategies For Better Teaching ($27) 9 video session replays, mixed small church experts
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Effective Teaching & Techniques For Children’s Ministry Course ($29) Help for teaching, tips on curriculum, mixed-age classes, lesson planning, leading well, and managing behavior.
Finding & Keeping the Right Volunteers
If you’re tired of doing it all alone or frustrated by the lack of volunteers signing up, you’re not alone — and we can help. Building a team to reach and teach the kids in your church doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. We’ve gathered practical, time-saving resources designed to bring you more joy and less hassle as you grow your volunteer team.
Top Blog Posts & Articles:
- Team Building With Volunteers In A Small Church
- 5 Strategies To Get More Volunteers In Children’s Ministry
Podcast Episodes:
- Episode 017: 3 Quick Wins Plus 2 Long-Term Strategies To Get More Volunteers In Children’s Ministry
- Episode 115: Recruit & Retrain More Volunteers: Make These 5 Changes To Your Volunteer Environment
- 5-Part Volunteer Series
- Episode 010: Strategies to Find, Keep, and Develop More Volunteers in Your Small Church
- Episode 011: Increase Your Pool of Church Volunteers & Identify the Right Ones Before You Ask
- Episode 012: Avoid The Top 7 Mistakes Small Churches Make When Recruiting Volunteers
- Episode 013: Set Up Volunteers to Succeed in Your Small Church
- Episode 014: Create a Volunteer Culture of Loyalty & Longevity
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Children’s Ministry Foundations Pack ($29) including Foundations Workbook, Quick Start Guide, Complete Launch Party Plan, Launch Party Promo Graphics, Customizable Welcome Handbook, Complete Policy Handbook Template, Essential Forms
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Finding Volunteers & Team Building For Children’s Ministry Course ($29) Building relationships, recruiting, training, handling conflict, evaluation, accountability, and more.
Neurodivergence, Special Needs & Trauma-Informed Ministry
You don’t need an advanced degree to support every child in your ministry. Whether you’re navigating sensory needs, behavior challenges, or trauma backgrounds — kids deserve to be known, not just managed. And you don’t have to figure it out alone. These resources help you take small steps toward a more welcoming, emotionally healthy space for every child.
Top Blog Posts & Articles:
- 3 Things Your Small Church Should Know About ADHD
- 3 Reasons Why Your Small Church Needs A Special Needs Ministry
- Understand 2 Types Of Special Needs Ministry For Your Small Church
- 3 Essential Things Your Small Church Needs To Know About Autism
Podcast Episodes:
- Episode 121: Neurodiverstiy, Storytelling & Fidget Toys | with Krissy Richardson
- Episode 173: Recognizing & Connecting With Hurting Kids: Broken Families, Shifting Realities, & Small Churches | with Melissa J MacDonald
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Welcoming All Children: Inclusion, Diversity, & All Abilities ($27) 9 video session replays, mixed small church experts
- Trauma-Informed Ministry (for adults & children): Understanding & Responsive ($24) 8 video session replays, mixed small church experts)
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Special Needs, Differing Abilities, & Considerations In Children’s Ministry Course ($29) Understand and plan for families with autism, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, neurodiversity, dietary needs, cultural differences, and more.
Outreach & Bringing in New Families
Getting new families through the door can feel impossible—especially when your budget is small and your team is tiny. But you don’t need flashy programs or a brand-new building. You need connection, follow-up, and a church that sees kids as a vital part of the mission. These resources help you build trust, invite with intention, and create a space families actually want to return to.
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Outreach: Successful Outreach Strategies To Reach Your Community ($27) 9 video session replays, mixed small church experts
- Children’s Ministry Foundations Pack ($29) including Foundations Workbook, Quick Start Guide, Complete Launch Party Plan, Launch Party Promo Graphics, Customizable Welcome Handbook, Complete Policy Handbook Template, Essential Forms
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Leading Vacation Bible School, Kids’ Camps, & Alternatives Course ($29) Tips and techniques for choosing, planning, and executing seasonal multi-day events and programs.
Keeping Kids Safe
You want every child to feel safe, seen, and supported — but most small churches don’t have a safety team or a background in risk management. The good news? You don’t need to have it all figured out. Start small, take it seriously, and build a safety plan that fits your church. We’ll show you how.
Top Blog Posts & Articles:
- Best Practices For A Safe Environment In Children’s Ministry
- 5 Ways To Ensure Children’s Ministry Safety In Small Churches
- 7 Steps Toward Building Support For Child Safety Standards
Podcast Episodes:
- Episode 029: Keeping Children’s Ministry Safe With Smaller Budgets & Smaller Teams
- Episode 030: How To Build Widespread Support For Stronger Child Safety In Your Small Church
- Episode 143: Best FREE Resource For Church Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response With Kris Buckman & Brad Eubank
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Complete Policy Handbook Template, Essential From, Customizable Welcome Handbook, found in the Children’s Ministry Foundations Pack ($29)
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Children’s Ministry Safety & Policies Course ($29) Best practices to protect children, volunteers, and your church, including wellness, behavior, screening volunteers, security, and more.
Intergenerational Ministry & Church-Wide Support
Children’s ministry should never be a silo—it’s a ministry for the whole church. But in small churches, it can feel like you’re the only one who cares. These resources help you invite others to be part of it: from your pastor to grandparents to teenagers. Whether it’s Sunday morning or a special event, kids need to feel like they belong to the whole church family.
Top Blog Posts & Articles:
- Effective Tips For Intergenerational Ministry In Your Church
- Sunday School Ideas: A Creative Concept For Summer
Podcast Episodes:
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Children’s Ministry Foundations Pack ($29) including Foundations Workbook, Quick Start Guide, Complete Launch Party Plan, Launch Party Promo Graphics, Customizable Welcome Handbook, Complete Policy Handbook Template, Essential Forms
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
Coming Soon:
- Creating An All-Church Pro-Kids Culture Course ($29) Develop an all-church vision and support for ministry to children and families. (How to develop raving fans!)
- Partnering With Parents Inside & Outside The Church Course ($29) Involve, include, and connect with parents, guardians, and family members for mutual support and partnership.
More Children’s Ministry Training & Support
Ready to grow your skills and feel more confident in your ministry? Whether you’re just looking to learn a little more or want ongoing support, these trainings and resources are designed for you. No fancy titles needed—just a heart for kids and a desire to make a difference. Check out our easy-to-access courses, bundles, and our welcoming Small Church Network community where you can connect, learn, and grow alongside others just like you.
Affordable Tools & Training:
- Children’s Ministry Foundations Pack ($29) including Foundations Workbook, Quick Start Guide, Complete Launch Party Plan, Launch Party Promo Graphics, Customizable Welcome Handbook, Complete Policy Handbook Template, Essential Forms
- Full Children’s Ministry Training Course Bundle (special pre-sale as 15+ courses are being completed)
- Join the Small Church Network learning community membership for individual attention, ongoing coaching, and monthly masterclasses.
FAQs:
Q: I’m looking for help and resources not listed above. Do you have more?
A: 100% In addition to new resources going live each and every week, use the search bar on the website to find the archive of 100s of other blog posts written by people in small churches sharing solutions they’ve found. Subscribe to the Small Church Ministry podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Amazon music for a new episode every Tuesday. Watch for our upcoming online events and conferences. And feel free to shoot us an email if you can’t find what you’re looking for. We’re here to help: hello@smallchurchministry.com
Q: I have no formal training—how can I lead a children’s ministry well?
A: Most small church leaders start exactly where you are! We offer simple training tools, encouraging podcasts, and step-by-step resources to build your confidence and skills over time. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be!
Q: Why do you sell things? If you’re a ministry, shouldn’t your resources be free?
A: We are a for-profit ministry and our aim is to be self-sustaining. We sell resources so we can continue to provide even more resources for free.
Q: We’re a really small church with no budget, do you have a scholarship for the Network?
A: If you have a small budget or no budget at all, you’re just like the rest of us! Most our our network members invest out of their own pockets! Investing in your own leadership, skills, and support is an amazing way to serve not only your church, but the community around you too!
Q: With all the free resources, why pay for the extra resources or the network membership?
A: You can totally find solutions by searching our site, piecing resources together, and practicing with your own trial & error. Purchasing our proven resources, courses, and joining the network gives you step-by-step systems and templates to save you time, money, and energy. Think of it as having a guide to help you avoid the obstacles along the way and a community to cheer you on! We like to say “less stress, more joy!” Who doesn’t want that?!?!
Connect with others in small churches in our free Facebook community, Creative Solutions For Small Churches
Join 14,000 others serving in small churches who connect, share, and grow together. Whether you’re just starting out or have been at it for years, our free Facebook community is here for you. It’s a friendly place to ask small church questions, share wins and challenges, and connect with others who get it. Join the conversation here!