Okay… so we’ve asked the question. Is a weekly commitment too much to ask of a kids ministry volunteer?

Let’s take it a step further…

What is best for the kids?

If our ministry is designed with the kid in mind, then how do we structure our volunteer team in a way that is best for the kids? Great programming is wonderful. And there are many quality products on the market. But without the relationship, the impact is minimal. It is not the programming the makes a ministry great. It’s the people.

So, if relationships are the vital component then what is the best way to foster relationships?

An ‘every-other-week’ volunteer will spend a total of two hours per month attempting to establish a friendship with the kids in their class.

Can a friendship be established and maintained with that amount of time investment? 

How about trust?

What if that child misses a week due to illness, vacation, etc?

These are tough questions.  But they lead to one point.  Consistency is the best tool to foster relationships among the volunteers and their kids.  Consistentcy is maintained through a weekly commitment. 

Weekly commitments can be challenging with our busy lives.  I get that.  But it can be done… and is done.  I see it every week. 

Is it tough?  Yes.  Does it stretch the volunteer? Yes.  Are there weeks the volunteer does not want to come in?  Absolutely! 

But I’ve found (overwhelmingly) that a volunteer that is engaged, utilized and connected with their kids gains more from the relationship and is willing to push through the inconveniences. 

Serving is rarely convenient… but it’s certainly rewarding.  Comments?

I could write a book.  But I won’t.  If you’ve been in kids ministry for any amount of time, you’ve visited this topic.  What level of commitment do we ask from a volunteer?  How much is too much?  Is a weekly commitment too much to ask? 

In LifeKIDS, we’ve swung both ways.

once a month

every other week

whenever you can

The manner in which we attempt to work around everyone’s schedule in order to make sure that their volunteer role is in no way a burden to them is comical.  Borders on desperate.

Don’t misunderstand.  I have no issue with making sure that a volunteer is placed in the right role.  That they have a schedule that works well for them.  But is it possible to take this to far?  Can we lose the element sacrifice that makes serving so rewarding on the back end?

Thoughts? 

A great question.  But it does not refer to those who might steer you the wrong way.  Instead it refers to those who will challenge your world.

Who will ruin you?

Who will walk into your comfortable existence, give you a mirror and lead you to become uncomfortable?  Who will lead you to a more dangerous pursuit of Jesus? 

Find them quick.  There’s no time to lose.

… you can still play in it!”

Replies Keegan to a girl saying, “The mud pit smelled like cow poop.”

Summer camp.

Proud mom moment.

…and I didn’t get to sleep as late as I wanted.

He ate half his yogurt and used the rest for body lotion.

Keegan wants to play Monopoly… man, that’s a long game.

Josie wants to bake brownies.  I just cleaned up the kitchen.

I sat down for a moment to read from my bible. 

How terrible it will be for people who call good things bad and bad things good,  who think darkness is light and light is darkness, who think sour is sweet and sweet is sour.  Isaiah 5:20

Ouch.

I’ll be busy today playing Monopoly and baking brownies.  I’ll clean my house tomorrow.