Tuesday with Tiff: VIDEO "Get in the middle of it"

Click this link to see the video!

Do you have volunteers that hang out on the edges?

During large group worship, they stand in the back instead of being up with the kids.

During classroom time, they are in the corner checking text messages instead of engaging with the kids.

During meetings, they sit in the back impatiently glancing at their watch.

This short video encourages volunteers to follow Jesus' lead and get "in the middle of it."



(ok ok.. so I know it's not me in the video---but why reinvent the wheel when someone else has already done it! Dale is an amazing mentor of mine and has wise words! Check it out!)

What NOT to do to get more team members

I know. You need more volunteers. So do I. And we always will. Building a volunteer team is a never-ending process. Especially if you are growing.

Do things ever to the point where you are desperate for volunteers? You wonder if you'll be able to open all the classrooms when the weekend rolls around? You're not alone....we've all been there.

When you are desperate the natural bent is to resort to desperate measures. But when you take desperate measures, you only make things worse.

Here are 5 things NOT to do when you are desperate for volunteers. They may seem like quick fixes, but they will only hurt your team building efforts in the long run.

Don't use the words "need" or "help." You may be desperate...but don't appear desperate. People are not drawn to desperation. They are drawn to vision.

Do not rely on bulletin ads. Bulletin ads rarely bring the people you need and again make you appear desperate.

Do not ask the Pastor to make a tearful plea from the pulpit. It's your job to build your volunteer team. Do not put your Pastor in this awkward position.

Do not require parents to serve. People should serve because they are called not because they are required.

Do not place people where they are not gifted. Do not throw people into rooms just because you need a warm body in the room. If you don't take the time to place people in their sweet spot, they will burn out and quit.

Bottom line. The proven way to build a volunteer team is 1-1 asks. I know you were hoping for a quick miracle fix...but there isn't one. It takes hard work. Personally asking people week in and week out to join your team.

In the last 4 years, we have added over 1,200 volunteers to our team. They didn't come through desperate measures...though we have sometimes been desperate. They came through 1-1 asks. Try it. It works.

-An article by a Kidmin Gyru

3 Ways to Treat volunteers like a million bucks---what will you do?

Recruiting volunteers is a daunting task. Once they’ve been put into place, you definitely want to keep them around for a while. You came to the right place! We’re starting a new series on how to treat your volunteers like a million bucks.

The first tip I have for you is something that has become foreign in a world with Facebook, Twitter, and email. There’s nothing quite like a hand-written note. The art of note writing is lost in today’s world...this is your chance to bring it back! Anyone can go online (let’s face it, you’re probably there anyway) type a friend’s name into the Facebook search and then type a quick “thank you” on their wall. Because this is the norm, I would even go as far as to say that hand-written notes mean more today than they did when we didn’t have the internet.

You may have to dig to find your stationary, but it’s so worth it. Stay away from phrases like “good job” and really tell that volunteer what you have seen that impresses you about them. Everyone wants to know that the person in charge thinks they are doing something right. So pull out that stationary, grab your pen of choice, and make someone’s day!

As a volunteer at my church, I know exactly how you can make me feel like a million bucks... just have everything I need for this week's lesson ready when I get to church. Now, there will probably be some prep work I will need to do before game time, but that’s to be expected.

We’ve all been there...you arrive at church knowing you are going to do an activity involving marshmallows. Lo and behold, there are no marshmallows in the supply cabinet. Now you are frantically looking around to find something that can replace marshmallows. Inside you're screaming, "HELP!"
 

I think you get the picture. Taking care of your volunteers will help them want to keep volunteering. They don’t do it for the money or their own glory and they don’t take what they do lightly. It’s easy to see what stressful situations can arise if there is no plan in place. Be their hero and make their Sundays smooth sailing (before the kids get there)!



Be their friend. First, remember their name and other things they tell you like where they work, how many kids they have, etc. Recalling that information to them helps them to know you care about them as a person and aren’t just using them for their talents and abilities. Chat with them every week and see how things are going. It’s not about their work in the children’s ministry anymore, it’s about life.

Invite them into your home. There is nothing quite like hosting someone in your home. You are letting them see into a huge part of your life. You are inviting them, essentially, to be a part of it. You’d be surprised how much closer you feel to someone who has seen where you eat dinner and watch tv at night.

Call them for reasons other than to get them to switch days or volunteer for another event. You know it happens...volunteers see your name pop up on their screen and it’s like they can’t find the “talk” button. Call every once in a while just to see how their day is going. Call to invite them to lunch. Call to let them know you are praying for them. It will mean the world to them.
I hope this series has been helpful to you. These are all things that I’m sure you have thought about before, but maybe haven’t been able to implement. Start small and work your way up to being a person that everyone wants to work with!

How can you appreciate others better? What can you do to better love on others instead of waiting to be loved on? In what ways do you need to be appreciated more?

Serving Your Leader: Part 2

God has called us to serve our pastor or leader and help him or her fulfill the vision God has given them for your church whatever style, type or size it is. Since there is no mention of the title of Children’s Pastor in the Bible. So where do we fit in? Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us…” It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

 

 This means as a Children’s Pastor or Minister we exist to serve our pastor and or leader and help them care for the sheep. The only reason we have a job is because our pastor needs someone to represent them to the children and families of your church. Because our leaders already have a gig during services they need us to represent them. To do this we must know their vision or the direction they want the church to go. We must also know their heart. Know their dreams and help them get what they want. Every dream I’ve ever had in ministry and life I’ve seen come to pass by serving my leader(s) vision. To represent them effectively we must think the way they think and lead the way they lead. To do this you should carry yourself the way your leader or Pastor carries themselves. I don’t know why many children ministers think to be effective with children they have to be silly! Do your leader a favor, don’t be silly. If we are truly leaders under authority it’s our job to take the children in the same direction as the rest of the congregation.

 If we are called to serve our leader it’s our job to look for ways make our leaders’ job easier. Always be on the lookout for things that you can do to lighten their load this includes handling small assignments well. Do what you are asked to do and more. Keep them in the know but don’t run to them with every little detail or with your problems. One of my personal rules is that I don’t go to my Pastor when I am down or need encouragement. I want to be like King David and choose to encourage myself in the Lord! We must support our leader. One of my favorite stories is found in Exodus 17:9-12 “Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up --one on one side, one on the other --so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Here what I learned from this story… It is not your leader’s job to hold you up. We exist to hold their arms up and set a rock underneath them to support them.

Helpers like us are called to a man, not a place or a people, it’s our responsibility to be loyal. We see this principle over and over again in the word. Jeremiah was served by Beruk, Elijah was served by Elisha. In the New Testament Paul was served by Barnabas and also by Timothy. Every leader I have served has put something into me that needed to be deposited! I’m a better father, a better husband, a better leader and a better person because of the leaders God has placed in my life.

I want to encourage you to ask God to show you what you need to learn from your leader! As I wrote earlier just like in my life the secret of seeing your own dreams fulfilled is by serving another leader’s vision. Luke 16:12 tells us “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? The secret to getting that, which is your own by serving your leader well!

Jim, you don’t understand…”My leader won’t let me do what I want to do.” That’s because God wants you to do what your leader wants. Learn to serve! My leader won’t fund it. Believe God, He is your source. I believe it’s our job to trust God for the finances of your ministry so your leader doesn’t have to. That’s just one way that we can serve our leader. Look for anyway possible that you can make their job easier. No matter what, keep serving. God knows where to find you, besides your gifts will make room for you. Proverbs 18:16 says that “A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” I’ve seen first hand God knows how to promote you and bring blessing your way!

Every dream I’ve ever had in ministry has come true by serving another man’s vision and ministry. Want to be great? Keep serving the children and families at your church. Serve those you lead and serve your leaders well. You gain those you serve, you can take that nugget to the bank!

Serving Your Leader: Part 1

 

an article by Jim Wideman:

The key to success in ministry is learning how to serve. Jesus spoke these words to his first disciples and they are still true for His disciples today! Mark 10:43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.

Even leaders must be willing to serve. If you’ve ever read one of my books or articles or listened to one of my Leadership Club lessons you’ve most likely heard me say that the best job description for what we do as Children’s Pastors is found in 1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers --not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.

 

Yes we are feeders, care givers, and overseers but if we are going to be effective we must be eager to serve. You gain those you serve!

All of us understand that God has called us to serve children. Matthew 10:42 tells us… “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. If there is a reward for water for kids imagine the reward for Goldfish Crackers.

I learned from one of my hero’s Tommy Barnett that every great city needs a great
Church. I added that every great church needs a great children’s ministry. I believe you get a great children’s ministry the same way Brother Tommy says you build a great church, that is find a need and meet it, find a hurt and heal it.

God has also called us to serve our helpers. Jesus served those who helped him. In John 13:12-17. Jesus washed his disciples feet he told them now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Those are still wise words for us to follow. Jesus also coached those under him. We see in the word that He spent lots of time with those he was leading. He allowed them to ask questions. He involved them in doing the work of the ministry. He made corrections when they needed it. He constantly stretched them and taught them as He duplicated himself in them.

We understand these two groups we were called to serve but a third person that all of us who serve in the church must serve is our leader.

Your #1 Job in the Greenhouse

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Do you know what your #1 job as a servant in the Greenhouse is?

This verse tells us. Above all else...guard your heart.

How do you guard your heart?

• Guard your time with God. Are you so busy working for God that you are not spending time with God?

• Guard your eyes. Your eyes are a direct pathway to your heart. Be careful what you look at.

• Guard your mind. What you dwell on affects your heart.

• Guard your friendships. The people you spend the most time with affects your heart.

If "guarding your heart" is not at the top of your job description, then adjust your priorities. Your entire ministry depends on it.

Something better than talent

It's more important to see and develop other people's talent than it is to have talent yourself.

Your talent will only take you so far because you can only do so much by yourself.

It's not what you can do...it's what you can empower others to do.

Surround yourself with people who are more talented than yourself.

Talented people accomplish good things....people who see and develop other people's talent accomplish great things.

Every leader is a worship leader... kids are looking up to you as their example. Let's lead well!

Most people would say leading worship for kids is totally different than leading for adults. I disagree. I have heard and seen people who lead for adults that are unable to lead for kids? Is adult worship leading really that different from kid worship leading? No.

The biggest difference you will find as you move from kids, to youth, lastly to adults is that you can get away with a lot more the older the crowd. The stuff you get away with when leading for adults won’t cut it for youth ministry, and what you can do for youth ministry doesn’t work in kids ministry
.
Here are a few things every worship leader can do to be successful no matter what the age of the kids you are leading.

1. Open your eyes – You are leading you can’t lead what you can’t see. Closing your eyes to much breaks the connection you need with those you are leading.
2. If you have the mic LEAD - Nothing worse than tentative leadership. Lead strong.
3. IF you talk at all make sure its about the greatness of Jesus not trying to get those you are leading to do what you want.
4. Have LOTS of energy. – If you feel stupid you are probably doing something right.
5. Smile – no one wants an emo worship leader
6. Know the words -
7. Practice during the week not before church.
8. Remember worship is about Jesus not you. – You want people to leave thinking about the greatness of Jesus not the quality of your voice or the skill of the band.
9. You can’t lead people to where you have never been. – Be a worshiper yourself.

100 almost FREE ways to appreciate volunteers

 

Leave your idea in the comments below! (These are from another church staff)


100 Ways to Appreciate Volunteers:
1. Volunteer Picnic
2. Andy Stanley does your voicemail greeting “This is ___’s voicemail and he’s an awesome volunteer.”
3. CG in the Main Service recognizing this volunteer
4. Flash Mob
5. Button to wear
6. Backstage Pass for Main Service
7. ”The Kelsey” award (Our Waumba Host is Kelsey & she would recognize in large group.)
8. Decorate classroom or doorway for birthdays
9. Lake Potluck Cookout
10. Sunday Morning Starbucks run for a volunteer
11. Facebook updates
12. Wall of fame - post pics
13. Walk of fame - they walk through a tunnel of high fives and cheers
14. Free T-Shirt
15. Wow Trophy - you make a great crazy trophy award and present on Sunday
16. Phone Call Appreciation
17. Personal Shuttle Service to and from car
18. Acknowledge Anniversaries (both volunteer anniversaries & personal)
19. Volunteer crown of honor
20. Volunteer Team Picture
21. Personal Delivery (of something they love)
22. Furniture on a Sunday for small group (Our small groups sit on the floor. Furniture for a group or group leader would stand out.)
23. Serenade from worship
24. iTunes gift card
25. Text Messages (Pics from Sunday)
26. Bulletin Board
27. Write a song about them
28. Homemade goodies
29. Public recognition
30. Sunday off
31. Free car wash during service
32. Impromptu Treats
33. Their own segway (we must know someone to borrow this from?)
34. Personal visit (bring coffee to their house our office)
35. Connections gift card (Our bookstore)
36. Surprise Mariachi Band (sombreros required)
37. One-on-one meetings/time
38. Invite them out to spend time away from church
39. Meet volunteers and kids at a park
40. Play and cookout
41. Birthday hat
42. Reed Porter “awesome volunteer” report (Reed Porter is a KidStuf character. We shoot video of him almost every month so we would shoot a quick shout out to a volunteer while doing that.)
43. Team thank you note
44. Redbox code
45. Favorite drink
46. Tweets
47. Somehow serve them
48. Homemade cookies
49. Social at your house
50. Reed Porter “voicemails”
51. Pray for volunteer
52. Valentines with pictures of kids from their small group
53. Game night
54. Record rest of the team praising them & email them that week.
55. Lunch with Lead Pastor
56. Personalize monogram notebook (hand drawn)
57. Celebrating people in Sunday’s meetings
58. High 5
59. Flair (buttons they wear on their lanyards)
60. Prayer requests
61. Jibjab Volunteer appreciation using staff
62. Written words of affirmation
63. Hugs
64. Balloons on Sunday
65. Letter magnets on fridge in Volunteer Central celebrating a volunteer
66. Highlight on chalkboard in Volunteer Central
67. ”Secret Service” escort throughout a Sunday morning
68. Singing telegram
69. Intentional help with a move or something like that
70. Favorite Candy
71. Email Bible verse
72. Hallmark E-Card
73. Recorded iPhone Video
74. Individual breakfast
75. Candy Gram
76. Picture (of them serving their small group or in their roll)
77. Double ply Charmin in dressing room (apparently this is a problem in the KidStuf greenroom)
78. Conversation
79. $5 Starbucks card
80. Evite Cards
81. Flowers
82. Visit from Andy/Lead Pastor
83. Trivia posted about that person
84. Waumba Wish (Grant a wish)
85. Favorite things (Gather a list of their favorite things and bring one of them in)
86. Birthday cupcakes
87. Give them colorful shoe laces.
88. Take a picture of them with their kids and post on Facebook.
89. Tell parents what a GREAT volunteer they are as parents arrive to pick up their child.
90. Ask parents to write notes to this volunteer & present them in a gift bag.
91. Call their spouse and thank them for supporting this volunteer as they serve. Tell them about all of the great volunteer qualitites you see in their spouse.
92. Take volunteer’s picture with your mascot and post it. (Grizzle Dizzle from KidStuf.)
93. Write a cheer for this volunteer. Send it home with kids to learn. Let kids perform it on the stage for their volunteer leader.
94. Write a “You Rock” song (simple and silly with motions), record it simply in house and send it out to all of the kids. Let them perform it on the stage for their volunteer leader.

Help! I'm not a natural encourager!

Encouragement in a work/ministry setting is so important. It may not come naturally to you, but that's ok. It's something that can definitely be learned. During this post, I hope to provide you with some practical tips to make you an encouragement champ! picture from: www.poetry4kids.com

• Have your staff or any other people you want to encourage fill out a survey listing ways they like to be encouraged. Finding out how someone is best encouraged can help you to be mindful of what you do to encourage that person and can also save you some time. If I give you a handwritten note, it may have encouraged you, but you may just want me to spend some quality time with you instead. You can make up your own quiz, or you can have them take a quiz like this one.
• Make an encouragement schedule. This sounds like you are just encouraging each person because you HAVE to, but really, it just holds you accountable and makes you work hard at encouraging people who aren’t always easy for you to encourage or who may fly under the radar. They need encouragement too.

Practical ways to encourage:
(These categories were taken from Gary Chapman's book "The 5 Love Languages")
Words of Affirmation: Unsolicited kind words mean the world to this type of person. They are also torn down the easiest by negative words. Spend time writing them a note or coming up to them after you have seen them do something well and affirming them.
Quality Time: Being there for this type of person is critical. When you take the time to really invest time into your relationship with them, it makes them feel really special. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful. Take this person out to coffee or a meal. They will love that you set aside time just for them.
Receiving Gifts: This one is self explanatory, but don’t take it as materialistic. These people love the thoughtfulness , love, and effort behind the gift. For them, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and valued enough that someone sacrificed something in order to bring you this gift. Make sure you know what all of their favorite things are. A simple pack of their favorite candy may mean the world to them!
Acts of Service: Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. If this person is a volunteer in your ministry, you can encourage them by secretly setting up their class, taking their place on a specific committee, or even just asking if you can help with whatever they are doing.
Physical Touch: If you aren’t a hugger, don’t let this one scare you. Most people who are physical touch are encouraged by just a pat on the back. In your volunteer meetings, you can have a time of “8-10 meaningful touches” or just make a note to give your physical touch people hugs or pats on the back frequently.
Being in tune with how your volunteers, coworkers, and friends like to be encouraged will make a huge difference. Now, go out there and encourage!