RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

A recent study from Pew research says believers are different than unbelievers in three key areas.

Overall happiness.  40% of believers say they are very happy compared to only 29% of unbelievers.  

Family connections.  47% of believers say they see their extended families at least once or twice a month vs. only 30% of unbelievers. 

Volunteering and giving.  45% of believers volunteer on a regular basis with 23% volunteering at church.  Only 28% of unbelievers say they volunteer.  The gap is even larger when it comes to helping the poor.  65% of believers donate their money, time or goods to help the poor compared to 41% of unbelievers. 

There is also three areas where believers and unbelievers do not differ.

Dealing with stress.  The percentage of believers and unbelievers who lose their temper in stressful situations is almost identical at 42% (believers) and 43% (unbelievers).

Health, exercising and overeating.  44% of believers say they exercise regularly compared to 43% of unbelievers.  58% of both groups say they overeat at times.

Care for the environment.  50% of both groups say they recycle when possible.  25% of both groups say they consider a company's record of environmental responsibility when making purchases.

Happy volunteers last.

How do you know if they're happy?

ASK THEM. 

Ask them when they join your team and you're helping them find their place of service.

• Ask them what their passion is?
• Ask them to take a personality test.
• Ask them to take a spiritual gifts test.
• Ask them what their "dream job" is in children's ministry?

Ask them one month after they start serving if they're happy in their role.

• If they're not, then help them try another role.
• The goal is to help them find their sweet spot.  A volunteer in his or her sweet spot is a happy volunteer.
  

Ask them each year if they're still happy with their role.  

• Ever been stuck in a job with no opportunity to be promoted?  You realize there's more inside you.  You become restless and unhappy over time. 
• Your volunteers are the same way.  They want to be challenged.  Pour into them.  Invest in them and help them grow as ministry leaders.
• Give them the opportunity to take on more responsibility.  If they feel they're stuck in a ministry rut, they will begin to lose interest.

If you don't ask them if they're happy, most of the time they won't tell you...until it's too late.  It will be when they're quitting.

Be proactive.  Know the pulse rate of your volunteer's happiness. 

Have you looked lately at the demeanor of your volunteers?  Are they happy?  Smiling?  Laughing?  Energized?

Or are they just going through the motions?  Frowning?  Complaining?  Irritable?  Burnt out?

The mood of your team is a key indicator of team health.  And no matter how happy or unhappy your team currently is, things can improve. 

Here's 7 steps to creating a happier volunteer team.

Be happy yourself.  It's contagious.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.  You set the happiness tone for your team.  If you're team isn't happy, take a look in the mirror.  Start smiling more.  Don't take yourself so serious.  Have fun. 

Make time for jokes and pranks.  Purposefully build in time during your meetings and get togethers for jokes and pranks.

Place people in their sweet spot.  Nothing will make a volunteer more unhappy than placing them where you "need" them instead of where they are gifted.  When someone is in their sweet spot, they will go home smiling and energized.

Emphasize the "why" of serving more than the "what" of serving.  People are looking for purpose.  They want to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Constantly remind them why they are doing what they are doing. 

Encourage people to use their creativity.  When creative people are not allowed to use their creativity, they will be unhappy.  Provide avenues where they can express their creativity. 

Make time to celebrate.  Set aside time to throw parties.  No agenda but fun, food, games, and hanging out together.  Celebrate off-site at a park, someone's home, or other location.

Share the God stories.  Your volunteers want to know they are making a difference.  When you hear a story of God working in a child or family's life, share it with the team.  Don't just tell them they are making a difference, show them the evidence.

What are some other ways you help your team have a happy mood?  Share your ideas and thoughts with us in the comment section below.