[Diocese of London by Pete Sheath] Children's ministry is hard work. If you're considering children's ministry as a career option, it would be worth considering first if you're called to the following: random and unannounced rugby tackles; being asked every week whether or not the children know the books of the Bible from memory yet; glitter; being called 'bouncy'; having seven actual bricks in your office 'just in case'; herding cats.

If after some serious prayer, you feel that God is indeed calling you to deal with these things, then you will want to equip yourself with some tools for the job. After all, if something is worth doing it's worth doing right.

Tools for children's ministry include: a puppet (sheep or mouse is preferable); some sticky tape; glitter; crayons; a pencil sharpener for the crayons; more crayons to replace the ones the children have lost/eaten; assorted coloured paper; paint (if you're brave). Oh, and the Bible.

Upon becoming a children's worker, this simple motto is then downloaded into your brain; always be prepared. In my experience, this can mean a variety of things – 'always have enough games up your sleeve', 'always bring the biscuits' or 'always know the answers'. Coupled with the desire to be the best children's worker ever, we can often find ourselves searching for that illusive perfect session. You know, the one where all the kids get it and all the objectives on the lesson plan are achieved for once!

However, the most significant sessions I have led or have been a part of were the ones that didn't achieve what was on the lesson plan. The best sessions I ever led were the ones that failed.

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