Laura-Anne Putterford, Children’s Leader at All Saints Church, Marlow, talks about her calling to children and families ministry after working in pharmaceuticals for nearly 10 years.
Laura-Anne grew up in a church family and attended church regularly as a child and in her teens. During what is often an unsettling time for young adults, in her early 20s, due to frequent house moves, Laura-Anne struggled to find a church where she could feel at home.
“In my mid and late 20s, I never found a church that I settled in. That was until I joined the young adults group at All Saints Marlow, a group for 20- and 30-year-olds to meet up with, have fun, study the Bible, and share our faith. I started attending the evening services twice a month and the 10.59 morning service occasionally, and I found myself feeling at home at All Saints and a part of the church family.”
Before feeling called to children’s ministry, Laura-Anne was working for a pharmaceutical company in both an international team and for the UK business and had worked her way up in the company from receptionist to a senior executive assistant. Laura-Anne describes how she made the decision to make the big change into children’s ministry:
“I loved my job, the buzz, the high pressure, being needed, but it came with a huge amount of stress and very long hours. All Saints Church was advertising for a youth and children’s leader, and I had a look at the job description, I wasn’t sure it was right for me, but I had been drawn to look at it. A few months later the job specifications changed, and they were looking for a full-time children's leader and a part time youth leader. I felt a real draw to the children’s leader role, but it would be a massive change - it came with a fairly big pay cut and I didn’t have any theological training. I spoke to several people in the church team and spent time discerning and praying about it.
“I asked God to make it clear to me if this is where he wanted me and he did just that. I was feeling more and more stressed and started to enjoy work less. I knew God was saying he wanted me to be working with the children of All Saints. I wrote my application, and it really was a list of reasons why I shouldn’t be hired and why I wasn’t qualified, but it also said that I loved God, that I felt I had a gift to work with children, and a huge heart to love them and share my faith.”
Laura-Anne was appointed as the Children's Leader at All Saints and began in the new role in October 2022. Children and youth ministry can be both rewarding and challenging, Laura-Anne shares about her first few months in the job and adjusting to a role where prayer and listening to God are at the centre:
“The first challenge was that a week after starting my job I rolled my ankle and fell over, but apart from badly spraining my ankle I also broke my elbow! Six weeks in a sling was not the start to my new job that I had planned or that I was wanting. I think God used my broken elbow in a special way. I tend to want to do everything at once, and especially in a new job with so much to learn, I wanted to be busy and get stuck in. But I was stuck, not able to drive and or do everything as usual, I had to go slow and take time making decisions, I had the time to pray and listen to God and be open to his plans.
“This was a challenge and a change for me. I had prayed, talked, and listened to God before I took this job, but it wasn’t part of my job, and of course, work had gotten in the way of this time before. Being in a job where we spend time during the working day, as a team, praying, listening to God, and discerning together felt odd, and at times like it was getting in the way of work! But prayer and listening to God is a huge part of work and vitally important in this role. It’s God’s work and plans I’m carrying out. I have ideas and that’s important and I have to make decisions, but I have to be open to God and what he wants to enable me to do my job. It has taken some time and patience to achieve.”
When asked, if and how children and youth workers could be better supported and encouraged in their roles, Laura-Anne said:
“The scariest part of the job was that I didn’t have a theology qualification. Quite often, job descriptions for children and youth roles say ‘Training or knowledge of Theology or Biblical Studies’ is needed. If you believe in and love God and feel he is calling you into a role, and you have been gifted to want to support and encourage children and youth, then that is all that matters!
“If someone is willing to be open, to learn and put time into reading the Bible, that is what is important, it’s not the theology qualification. Of course, it’s a bonus if someone has studied theology but listing it as a requirement in job specifications can put people off.
“I was encouraged to apply for the role even without theology training or qualifications and the team I have around me are amazing at encouraging me and I am constantly learning and growing in my knowledge and faith.”
For those thinking about whether God is calling them to move to serve children and young people in the Church, Laura-Anne shares her advice:
“My biggest piece of advice is to not let money come in the way of following what God wants you to do. The change in salary from my previous job was initially a big issue and concern for me. I was used to living a certain way, I had a good disposable income and didn’t have to worry if I wanted to go out for dinner multiple times a month and socialise with friends more than once a week. Would I be able to live on a reduced salary? I prayed and was reminded of what the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:8 about God providing us with what we truly need.
“My second piece of advice is to be open to what God has planned for you. It might not be what you had planned, but God’s plans are so much better! It’s scary stepping out of the boat but you won’t regret it! Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, he is always with you and will never leave you. If serving children and youth in church is what God wants for your life, he will equip you with everything you need in abundance. I’m not saying it will always be easy, but it will be hugely rewarding, and you will be truly blessed! Go for it!”
Children, young people & families
The team of Discipleship Enablers exists to support engagement between children, young people, and families within the church, community, and local schools. Working with the Disciples Together vision and strategy, the team have a heart and passion for this ministry. Find out more and get in touch with the Discipleship Enablers.