RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Did you know you don't need volunteers in your ministry?  You're probably wondering if I've lost what little mind I have left.  Let me explain what I mean.

Noemy Munoz leads the children's ministry at one of our campuses.  When you go to her campus, you immediately notice something.  There are lots of people on her team.  Every room has plenty of people serving and they are happy to be there.

Last week she made a statement that revealed why.  She said, "I don't have volunteers...I have friends."  

Stop and think about that for a minute.  What she was saying is she builds relationships with the people on her team.  As she invests in them and cares for them, they become more than just someone filling a role.  They become her friends. 

A few weeks ago, I shared how relationships is the super glue that keeps volunteers on a team.  Noemy's team is an example of how true this is.  

How do you see the people who serve on your team?  If they are just volunteers, you'll have a good team.  But when they move from being volunteers to being your friends, you'll have a great team.

How do you build friendships with the people on your team?  Share with us in the comment section below.

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. 

There's a good chance if you're reading this, you're a people pleaser.  Most people in ministry are.  It stems from our desire to help people.  The good side of this...God uses you to impact people.  The down side...you have a hard time saying "no."

The word "no" doesn't come easy, does it?  But you have to learn to use this word, if you're going to be effective for the long haul.

You gotta' say "no" to people who ask you to do something during your family time.

You gotta' say "no" to a crowded calendar.  Be focused on being productive...not on being busy.  They're not the same thing.

You gotta' say "no" to lots of good programs and events so a few programs and events can become great.

You gotta' say "no" to working on your day off.

You gotta' say "no" to people who constantly drain you.

You gotta' say "no" to good ideas so God ideas can thrive.

You gotta' say "no" to being away from your family every night of the week.

You gotta' say "no"  to being at every activity that happens at the church.

You gotta' say "no" to church events that conflict with an important event in your child's life.

You gotta' say "no" to trying to make everyone happy.  Accept the fact that no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy.

Go ahead...say it.  NO.  It's a word that will make or break you in ministry.

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.

"Smile at me."
It shows me you're glad I came and you're happy to see me.

"Notice me."
It helps me know you care about me.

"Love me."
It shows I'm important to you and not just a number.

"Believe in me."
Tell me God has a plan for me and wants to use my life for His glory.  Help me discover my talents and gifts.

"Trust me."
Give me room to make mistakes so I can learn from them.

"Hear me."
Listen to me.  Encourage me to share my feelings.  Let me know my opinion matters.

"Inspire me."
Tell me that I can make a difference.  Use your words to light a fire inside me.

"Help me."
Give me guidance and support.  Instead of telling me how, show me how.

"Empower me."
Give me a chance to make a difference.  Give me opportunities to shine.

"Honor me."
Treat me with dignity and respect.  Show me that even though I'm little...I matter.