Posts Tagged ‘volunteering’

Posted on October 4, 2009 - by kelly

Raising Up Volunteers

Sunday I had the privilege of hanging out in our elementary classroom and observing a wave of future volunteers developing right before my eyes.

Often we have faithful volunteers and staff who bring their children to more than one service on Sundays.  As a children’s ministry team we have tried to be ultra sensitive to make sure their time on Sunday morning is a meaningful one, not just hanging around for two services.  We assign special tasks; setting up the game stations, helping run the power point computer, partnering with a younger or new child to Valley Kids, etc.  By giving them a leadership role, they take on leadership characteristics. 

From this experimentation we saw how powerful it was for kids to lead kids.  Our worship team, P98 (named after Psalm 98) was developed from this concept.  On occasion we will partner an older student with an adult to lead small group discussions.  They are really good at it!  A few months ago our elementary leader overhead two girls arguing between services about who was going to get to pray with their group.  It’s not often that I hear adults arm wrestling for a turn at serving. 

This particular Sunday I observed a 5thgrader partnered with one of our Kindergartners who was needing a little extra help in the classroom.  Adults aren’t always the best fit for this child because he gets intimidated and less cooperative.  So with supervision, our 5thgrader was asked if she would like to give it a try.  She was amazing!  With the energy and enthusiasm that a 5thgrader brings, she guided him from arrival station to station, engaged him in activities and interacted withother kids.  When it was time for worship she led him to his group and modeled the motions to the songs and he followed right along.  During large group time, she sat close and he watched her watching the teachers.  She would quietly point to the stage and redirect him when he started to lose focus.  And then again during small group time, she led him to the group, asked questions, and helped him get involved with the game and discussions.  To close the hour, she bowed her head and prayed. 

I dare say she learned more about God’s love in that hour of serving than I could have ever taught her in class.  God will and can use anyone who is willing to open their heart and follow his lead.  It doesn’t matter how much you know about the Bible or how much kid lingo you have going, all that matters is you are willing to try.  Kids are much better at this than adults.  I look forward to watching this young woman grow in her faith and become a power house for the church.

I follow this up with some advice for those who would like to use older children and young teens to serve in the classroom:

• No matter how responsible and mature these kids are, they are still kids and need supervision. 
• There must be a balance between allowing kids to serve and making sure they attend their own age appropriate programs.
• Ask parents for permission before partnering their children as mentors.
• Model the behaviors you want to see them teaching.  (Participate during worship, engage with the kids during arrival activities, don’t talk during the lesson, etc.)
• Pray with and for these kids, they are the future of our ministry.
• Support these young volutneers withmentors who will help them grow in their faith.