Help, I need somebody… February 25th, 2009
Do your kids have somebody? A while back, God really brought something to my attention. I started looking at our children’s ministry and realized that it was possible and sometimes probable that a kid could come to our church, check-in, go to small group, go to large group, check-out and leave and nobody ever got to know that kid. I mean the large group program was great, the small groups all had their curriculum, we had enough volunteers, but in some places kids were just drifting in and out. They were not getting connected. They were not known.
For us this realization caused a fundamental shift in our vision for ministry. Our mission became not only to help kids know Jesus—but to help kids know Jesus and be known personally.
As I started talking to our volunteers about this I asked this question, “How many of you came to know Jesus because of a program, a bible study or a curriculum?” A few had, but for most the answer was no. Then I asked, “How many of you came to know Jesus because of somebody?” And guess what, nearly everybody answered yes to that question. I’ve asked these questions dozens of time to hundreds of people and it always comes out the same way. Think about it, no one says, “You know that (insert your curriculum name here) curriculum, third grade, second quarter, fourth lesson… it really changed my life.” But most can say that Mrs. Becky, Mr. John, a parent, a friend, a neighbor—it could be anybody but it is almost always somebody who really made a difference in my life. For me there were several somebodys, but one that stands out is my junior high band director Rodger McClendon. We called him Mr. Mac, and he saw something valuable in me when there wasn’t much to see. Most of my teachers (at school and at church) had written me off, but Mr. Mac invested in me and it changed the course of my life.
Our goal cannot be to have the best most amazing programs. Great programs and solid curriculum and teaching are important. However, our primary goal must be to connect our kids to the best most amazing somebodys.
Here’s the good news. As we’ve started sharing this vision with our volunteers, they get it. They’re beginning to understand that success is building a relationship and being a Godly example even if you never get to the lesson plan. They’re beginning to realize that connection requires a commitment and most of our volunteers who used to serve once every six weeks are starting to serve every week. Even better, this resonates with the people we’re recruiting for ministry. Not many people are interested in volunteering for a program but they are very interested in joining us to make sure that every child is known personally.
So here’s a question for you. What are you doing in your church or organization to help connect your kids with great people who can invest in their lives and make a lasting difference? I’d love to here from you.
Tags: Brookwood Church, Brookwood Kids, Children, Children's Ministry, Recruiting, Volunteer Minisrty, Volunteers
Posted in Children's Ministry, Leadership, Volunteers | Comments (1)
February 26th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Ned,
This is the very reason we completely changed our volunteer plan 3 years ago. Realizing the relationships were the key to successful kids ministry, we quit recruiting for once-per-month or every-other-week. An every week commitment was essential to fostering relationships.
The thing we’ve learned over the past 3 years is how important it is to remind and refresh that vision as you move in and out of ministry seasons. Losing sight of that vision causes someone to look at the every week commitment as a burden rather than an opportunity.
great thoughts. thanks for sharing.