It's Sunday morning and the announcement has been made - the nursery needs help. As a children's ministry leader, you've likely experienced the all-too-common scenario of standing at the back door after church, clipboard in hand, ready to gather signatures for volunteers. Yet, everyone seems to avoid you as if you were carrying the plague. This might also be a familiar scene during Vacation Bible School (VBS) when extra hands are needed for crafts, setting up, and tearing down. You've tried appealing to the congregants with a friendly display in the lobby, but still, no one approaches.
I recently had a conversation with a Kids Ministry director who shared a similar experience. They were so full of enthusiasm when they first started, always asking for help. Yet, after being turned down repeatedly, they eventually stopped asking. A year later, they were exhausted and struggling to cover all the responsibilities of a single Sunday service. They felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
The simple truth is, you have to ask for help, even if you've been met with rejection before. Let me share a story from my time on staff at a large church going through a $20 million building fund campaign. Through this experience, I realized that people fit into one of three categories: those who are willing but not able, those who are able but not willing, and those who are both willing and able.
For instance, there are those who are willing to give millions, but they're on government assistance and simply aren't able to contribute much financially. Then there are those who could comfortably donate, but they're unwilling to part with their money. Finally, there are those precious few who are both willing and able to contribute. These individuals are capable of making a significant impact in any campaign.
However, this categorization isn't only about finances; it applies to volunteering as well. Some volunteers are eager to help, but their abilities aren't clear. To utilize their willingness, you may try placing them in different roles, such as working in the nursery if they don't necessarily connect with parents. Then, there are those who possess the skills but lack the willingness. These individuals may need a little more convincing about the vision and importance of serving in kids ministry. Finally, there are those few gems who are both willing and able. These are the volunteers who make a significant impact on your ministry.
But here's the thing, in kids ministry, we can't solely rely on those who are both willing and able. We must also engage those who are willing or able. The key is to get people involved, and the only way to achieve this is by asking.
I recall a pair of grandparents who brought their grandkids every Sunday. They had their reasons for not serving in the classroom, such as being over-committed in other church areas or health concerns. However, when I asked for scholarships to help kids go to camp or financial assistance for new bibles, they were always ready to write a check. They were willing and able to contribute in this way, which I discovered because I kept asking.
So, if you're in kids ministry, I challenge you to keep asking for help. That's how you find out where people are willing and able, and where these aspects intersect to benefit your ministry. Remember, the key to keeping your kids ministry fresh is to continuously engage your community and never stop asking for help.
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