Helping You Find Your Niche!

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have each been given spiritual gifts to use to serve in and build up the Church Body. The children’s ministry of South Shores Church makes a difference in the lives of our kids because of our volunteers who share their gifts by serving our kids. Your commitment of service, time, and talent becomes the hands and feet of Jesus to our children, their parents, and to each other.

There are a variety of opportunities to serve in Children’s Ministry. Some require specific talents while others are more general. All require a heart to serve and a friendly and teachable spirit. We provide training, resources, curriculum and support for all of our volunteer teams.

As you pray about serving at South Shores Church, we encourage you to keep an open heart and mind to explore new areas of involvement in ministry. Regardless of where God calls you to serve at South Shores Church, He does want you to get involved. The pastors, directors and staff are here to help you find your special niche.


Opportunities to Serve in Children’s Ministry

There are a variety of programs, special events and activities sponsored during the year by the Children’s ministry. Some are designed only for children and others are family events. Throughout the year, we also plan parenting classes as well as Leadership Development Conferences for our volunteers. Numerous volunteers are needed to plan, prepare, teach, assist and lead all of these. We have listed the various volunteer opportunities according to the ages or grades that you would be working with.

Volunteer Commitment

While the commitment we ask from our volunteers may vary, the following will give you a general idea for most of them. We also expect each volunteer to attend leadership development classes that are held on campus periodically throughout the year. Volunteers generally serve on a weekly or regular, rotating basis. However, there are also one-time only service opportunities. One of our staff will discuss all of these options with you.

There are four major levels of volunteer commitment in children’s ministry:

1) Nine month Sunday morning to evening commitment from September-June

2) Three month Wednesday night commitment: Sept-Nov; Jan.-Mar.; Mar.-May

3) Three month summer Sunday morning commitment: June-August

4) One week summer commitment for Summer Splash: sometime in July or Aug.

Volunteers are regularly needed on the following days and times:

Sundays:
8:15-8:45 am (Set-up)
9:15-9:45 am & 10:45-11:15 (Greet and check-in children)
9:15-10:45 am & 10:45-12:15 (Teach or help in Sunday School)
6-7:30pm (Teach or help.)

Wednesday nights: 6:00-8 pm

Summer Splash (VBS)

Various days and times for all-church special and seasonal events

Camp Counselor, summer and winter

Support Ministry

Greeters: This is a most important role because greeters are the ones who welcome children and parents to the program, assist with check-in and help first-time guests find their way!

Office Support: There are a variety of administrative jobs that can be done by volunteers at home or during the week in our office. These include preparing mailings, computer entry, filing and keeping the resource rooms organized.

Special Event Planning: Children’s ministry has several annual events as well as special events. Help is needed in all aspects of planning from brain storming to putting on the event

Nursery Ministry (infants-35 month olds)

Childcare Giver or Teacher: Individuals with a desire to teach God’s Word in a positive loving manner in unstructured ways as little ones play, sing and hear Bible stories. Training, curriculum and resources are provided.

Craft Helper: Help small groups of toddlers with simple craft projects.
Greeter: Greet families at check-in and make a commitment to serve on a regular or rotating basis 15 minutes before and after the program in which they are serving.

Special Event Childcare: Childcare givers are needed for special events throughout the year, such as Ash Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, New Member Classes

Early Childhood Ministry (Ages 36 months-Preschool)

Teacher: Individuals with a desire to teach God’s Word in a positive loving manner in unstructured ways as little ones play, sing and hear Bible stories. Training, curriculum and resources are provided.

Small Group Shepherd: Individuals with a desire to oversee a small group of preschoolers as they spend 10-15 minutes in their small groups for a short Bible related activity and prayer.

Creative Arts: Individuals with gifts such as drama, music, puppetry, storytelling to teach God’s Word in a large group setting with preschoolers.

Greeter: Greet families at check-in and make a commitment to serve on a regular or rotating basis 15 minutes before and after the program in which they are serving.

Craft Helper: Helps small groups of young children with simple craft projects.

Elementary Ministry (K – 5th Grades)

Teacher: Individuals with a desire to teach God’s Word in a large group setting. Training, curriculum and resources are provided.

Small Group Shepherd: Individuals with a desire to build relationships with a small group of children and lead them in Bible readings, related activities & discussion and prayer.

Creative Arts: Individuals with gifts such as drama, music, puppetry, storytelling to teach God’s Word in a large group setting.

Greeter: Greet families at check-in and make a commitment to serve on a regular or rotating basis 15 minutes before and after the program in which they are serving.

Craft Helper: Helps small groups of children with simple craft projects.

Classroom set-up: These volunteers make a commitment to come at least 45 minutes before the program to assist with setting up the check-in area or the classroom activities.

Classroom clean-up: These volunteers make a commitment to remain 30-45 minutes after the program to assist with putting away toys, supplies, simple equipment after the program.

Wednesday Night KidZone

KidZone is our mid-week evening program for preschoolers – 5th graders. It meets at 6:30-8 pm from September-May . There are many opportunities to help. We need check-in helpers, small group leaders, teachers, game leaders and project station helpers.

Summer Splash (Vacation Bible School)

This is a one-week event the summer for preschoolers through 5th graders. We have opportunities for volunteers to help with music, art, teaching, missions, refreshments, games, storytelling, drama, office help, check-in, set-up/clean-up, drama, worship and office support. Commitment is one week in the summer during VBS plus training/development meetings beforehand.

Musicians and Worship Leaders

Our musicians and worship leaders are people who have an understanding of how to lead children into worship. They also assist with selecting the songs and make a commitment to weekly rehearsals. Music and Worship leaders add an exciting element of worship for our children on Sundays, Wednesday nights, during Summer Splash and other special events.