October 20, 2021

4 Things Volunteers Need From Leadership

A teenage volunteer in the Kindy Kids department was approached by a little girl.

‘Miss Kristy, I wet myself.’

‘You wet yourself?’

‘Yes.’

Miss Kristy called to her best friend who was volunteering in the same department.

‘She wet herself.’

The friend came to Miss Kristy’s side.

‘She wet herself?’

‘Yes.’

The friend turned to the little girl for confirmation.

‘You wet yourself?’

‘Yes,’ said the little girl.

The two friends looked at one another in alarm.

‘I bumped my cup and water spilled down my dress,’ said the little girl.

‘Oh,’ said the young volunteers in unison. ‘Water!’

They were so relieved.

Miss Kristy told me this story years later when she had become Mrs. Kristy with three children of her own. She still laughed about it and said she and her friend later re-enacted the scenario for their Church concert and it gave everybody a chuckle.

Volunteering in Kid’s Ministry can be challenging, especially if like Miss Kristy and her friend, you’ve no prior experience of working with children and the thought of dealing with an ‘accident’ fills you with trepidation!

As a volunteer in Kid’s Ministry for over forty years, starting out with the same experience level as Miss Kristy, here’s 4 things I needed from my leaders.

1. Leadership

Sounds obvious doesn’t it? But it’s true what they say, ‘Real leaders lead’. It is demoralizing if you have a Kid’s Church leader who is ill prepared, or dispassionate about Kid’s ministry as they are temporarily filling the job at the behest of the Pastor. The most difficult leader I ever worked under was a procrastinator. Everything was put off until the last minute. I’m talking Sunday morning! Of course things went haywire and it was always at the expense of volunteers and ultimately the children. Unprepared people pressure others. If you are a leader in Kid’s Ministry, especially an employed leader, you must lead. With enthusiasm, energy and a clear vision of what you want for the children God and the Church leadership have entrusted to you. And for the sake of your volunteers so they know what you are aiming for and can help you get there.

2. Role Models

I needed an experienced volunteer in the same room who could not only direct me but model how to handle situations. In everything from behaviour management to storytelling. In time I became a role model and was able to train volunteers in the same way. Good role models are vital not only because you want the children to have a wonderful experience in Kid’s Church but so they can replicate themselves. When you have enough of them, you can roster a week off for volunteers to enjoy a Sunday sitting in a Church service, or if a volunteer is away your program doesn’t fall apart. Crucial for longevity in Kid’s Ministry especially if you belong to a big Church that doesn’t shut over school holidays or has multiple meetings every Sunday.

3. Appreciation

Secular experts in volunteerism call appreciation ‘encouraging the heart’. It’s a wonderful phrase and something Christians understand! Leaders need to show appreciation for their volunteers and celebrate what they do. I know we serve because we ‘do it unto the Lord’ (Colossians 3:23) and earthly rewards are not our focus. But for volunteers to be willing, and to take ownership of the ministry, it’s good to recognise their contribution and celebrate their successes. Don’t wait for the end of the year. Find ways to show appreciation throughout the year.

4. Humour

Which leads me back to Miss Kristy and her friend later seeing the humour of their situation and turning it into a skit for the church. Government regulated policies, procedures and training means volunteers aren’t as unprepared these days. However, anyone who works with children needs to have a sense of humour. Humour can diffuse situations because you can see the funny side of things. A team of volunteers working under a happy leader who can laugh together form a bond and your Kid’s Ministry will be all the better for it.

Super Sundays

I couldn’t end this blog without mentioning Super Sundays. Super Sundays are fun filled Sundays where volunteers can shine! A one off program with sketches, games and dressing up that provides opportunity for some silliness and laughter that brings everyone together. When I was 14 I volunteered at a Children’s Church Country and Western Day. I still remember it and it’s that level of fun and excitement I try and replicate in every Super Sunday program I write.