RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Do you have volunteers who are just going through the motions?  Have they lost their passion?  Have they grown "weary in well-doing" as the Bible describes in Galatians 6:9?

It doesn't have to be that way.  If you do this one big thing, you can see your volunteers stay fired up and passionate about the ministry. 

Here's the big key.  Keep taking them back to the "WHY."  If I may, let me share some observations about this.

Observation #1 - If you don't focus on the why, the what will take over because it is the most obvious.  The why is not as immediately visible as the what.  Let me give you an example.  For someone who volunteers in the nursery, changing diapers (the what) is a lot more tangible than the why (seeing lives changed).  For someone who teaches 3rd graders, the what (telling a Bible story) is a lot more tangible than the why (seeing the kids grow up to love Jesus).  The natural tendency is for the what to overshadow the why.  

Observation #2 - If you don't keep taking people back to the why, it will be forgotten.  Volunteers won't forget the what.  They do the what week in and week out.  They greet, they hand out crafts, they lead songs, they hold babies, they lead a small group, they pray with kids, they teach preschoolers and all the other what's of ministry.  But the why...if you don't take people back to it, can be forgotten over time.  People will forget why they are doing the what's listed above.

Observation #3 - If you will keep your volunteers focused on the why, they will remain faithful in the what.  When volunteers only see the what, they get burned out.  When volunteers only see the what, they lose their passion.  When volunteers only see the what, they get discouraged.  But when volunteers see the why, they will stay faithful in the what.

Observation #4 - You have to be intentional about keeping your volunteers focused on the why.  The why doesn't promote itself, you have to be the promoter.  The why won't tell its own stories, you have to be the storyteller.  The why won't celebrate itself, you have to do that.

When a child steps across the line of faith, let your volunteers know...that's the why.  When a young couple's marriage is healed because the volunteers helped watch their baby while they were in a marriage class, let your volunteers know...that's the why.  When new families walk in your church doors, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When a child is baptized, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When kids live out their faith, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When a family is reached for Christ, let your volunteers know, that's the why. 

Observation #5 - The why is what fuels people's passion.  Volunteers long to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Volunteers want to know they are making a difference.  Volunteers yearn to be used by God.  When you show them how it's happening and they feel the joy and satisfaction that comes from it, they will stay fired up.

Volunteers won't stay passionate about changing a diaper, but they will stay passionate about being part of changing a life through serving in the nursery.  Volunteers won't stay passionate about corralling a group of energetic 3rd grade boys, but they will stay passionate about laying a foundation for kids to build their life upon.  Volunteers won't stay passionate about doing crafts with preschoolers, but they will stay passionate about ministering to children at the most critical time of their life.

The what...is the car.  The why is the fuel that will keep it going.  Make sure you keep your volunteers' tanks full! 

Recently Romans 2:8 caught my attention.

"But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves..."

This verse got me thinking about ambition.  Ambition can be a good thing, if it's the right kind of ambition.  But it can also be a bad thing, if it's the kind described in the verse above...ambition that is about exalting the person who is consumed by it.

Here's some differences between the right and wrong kind of ambition.

The right kind of ambition is about empowering others.  The wrong kind of ambition is about obtaining power.

The right kind of ambition is about serving others.  The wrong kind of ambition is about being served.

The right kind of ambition seeks to build God's kingdom.  The wrong kind of ambition is about building your kingdom.

The right kind of ambition looks for a towel to serve others like Jesus used a towel to wash the disciples' feet.  The wrong kind of ambition looks for a title.

The right kind of ambition chases after God's approval.  The wrong kind of ambition chases after man's approval.

The right kind of ambition seeks to make riches so it can be used for eternal purposes.  The wrong kind of ambition seeks to make riches so it can be used for earthly purposes.

The right kind of ambition hungers for righteousness.  The wrong kind of ambition hungers for unrighteousness.

The right kind of ambition uses the ministry to build people.  The wrong kind of ambition uses people to build the ministry.

The right kind of ambition shines the spotlight on others.  The wrong kind of ambition shines the spotlight on himself or herself.

The right kind of ambition promotes others.  The wrong kind of ambition wants to be promoted.

The right kind of ambition brings glory to God.  The wrong kind of ambition brings glory to man.

The right kind of ambition is driven by love.  The wrong kind of ambition is driven by lust.

The right kind of ambition mourns when another falls.  The wrong kind of ambition rejoices when another falls.

The right kind of ambition wants what is best for the team.  The wrong kind of ambition wants what is best for him or her.

The right kind of ambition says "we."  The wrong kind of ambition says "me."

The right kind of ambition is humble.  The wrong kind of ambition is haughty.

The right kind of ambition strives to be faithful.  The wrong kind of ambition strives to be great.

Let's be ambitious...but make sure it's the right kind.

Have you ever been around an inspiring leader?  After talking with them or listening to them, you were ready to go conquer any mountain.

As a children's ministry leader, it's vital that you have the ability to inspire others.

When we talk about being "inspiring" you may be thinking it has to be someone who is extremely gifted, has a charismatic personality, is a people magnet or can give dynamic, soul-stirring speeches.

If that's not you, don't worry.  That's not what being inspiring is really all about anyways.  Anyone can be inspiring if they take the right steps and work at it.

Here's 10 key steps you can take to become an inspiring children's ministry leader.

Inspiring leaders collaborate.
Do you want to inspire people?  Then include them.  Inspiring leaders don't bark down orders.  They gather people and create something together.  When people have a part in creating something instead of just being handed something, they are inspired.

Inspiring leaders develop people.
When you are intentional about pouring into people...when people know you are committed to helping them become a better person and leader...when you call people up instead of calling them out...it inspires them.  They will be drawn to you. 

Inspiring leaders empower people and then get out of the way.
Inspiring leadership and micromanaging aren't compatible.  Inspiring leaders empower people and then give them room to lead, fail, and learn from their failures.

Inspiring leaders ask the right questions.
You don't always need to have the best answer.  Just learn to ask the right questions to draw out the best answer from the team.  Lead with questions just as much or more than you do with answers.

Inspiring leaders admit their mistakes.
Be quick to admit your mistakes.  Be the first one to apologize.  Humility and transparency inspires others.

Inspiring leaders lead by example.
Go the second mile and when you ask your team to go the second mile, go the third mile.  Inspiration is caught by example more than it is taught by words.

Inspiring leaders build relationships.
Inspiring leaders don't lead by title or position...they lead by relationships.  Love people for who they are instead of for what they can do.  When people know you really care about them, their hearts will be drawn to you.  Inspiration is created through relationship.

Inspiring leaders give away the credit for wins and take the blame for failures.
It inspires people when you put them in the spotlight instead of yourself.  It also inspires people when they know you've got their back and when something goes wrong, you take the ultimate responsibility. 

Inspiring leaders continually fill people's vision tank.
Constantly share the "why" of what your team does.  Realize that vision leaks, so keep the vision front and center.  And you don't have to be an "inspirational" speaker to do this.  This is done just as effectively in small gatherings or individually. 

Inspiring leaders are faithful.
There is something about long term faithfulness that inspires people.  You will find the longer you are in ministry, the more inspiration potential you will have.  Time and experience are two of your best inspiration allies.  Stay the course. 

What are some other traits of inspiring leaders?
What are some traits in leaders that have personally inspired you?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.