How to Equip Your Children’s Ministry on a Shoe String Budget

Church planting budgets are tight.  When we planted LifePointe in Charlotte, I didn’t have a huge budget for my children’s ministry.  I had to find ways to get a little creative.  Chances are you are in the same boat and if you’re loaded with funds and not interested in saving some dollars, please contact me so I can connect you to one of my planters who could use your spare change.

Curriculum – Free

Most churches have archives of children’s ministry curriculum laying around around.  It may not be the newest release, but is likely still serviceable.  I borrowed curriculum from a church for the first couple of years.

Supplies – Free

Supplies are pretty easy to get.  I had two different VBSs that did supply drives.  Each night kids were challenged to bring a different item.  Those supplies lasted about the first three years.  If you don’t have access to a VBS, ask a children’s ministry to do a drive during back to school time.  Supplies are cheaper then and parents are already out buying them.

Toys and Nursery Equipment – $250

I bought several totes from Wal-Mart to store toys.  Then I hit several garage sales throughout the Summer leading up to our launch.  When you are a portable church, your children’s equipment is going to take a beating.  Why spend $100 on a new pack and play when you can get one for $20 at a garage sale.  That new one will look used in a few weeks anyway.  I also had lots of chances to connect with people at garage sales and tell them about the church.

AV Equipment – $1000 (optional)

You really don’t need a lot here.  Chances are you already have a laptop to drive a presentation from.  You already have an iPod or smartphone to play music from.  If you don’t, pick up an old one on eBay for cheap.  What you need is a projector, speaker and possibly a screen.  Projectors have come a long way and assuming you aren’t in a movie theater and shooting the image all the way across the room you can pick up a cheap one new or get on eBay and buy a used one.  Just be sure to get an idea of how many hour the bulb has been used.  Replacing the bulb in a projector is about as expensive as buying a new projector.  A great portable screen is a DJ screen.  And then for your speaker something like a JBL Eon is a smart option.  It is very versatile and let’s you plug in a couple of things like a mic, iPod or guitar if you need it.

Miscellaneous – $250

You’ll need a few other odds and ends too.  Baby wipes, sign-in table, carpets, etc.  It’s nothing you can’t get in one trip to your local big box store.

So there you go.  For about $1500 you can get everything you need to equip a children’s ministry.  If you have any other cost saving ideas, please share in the comments.