Dear Volunteer...

Nothing you do for children is ever waisted. - Garrison Keillor

Dear Volunteer,

As I sit here this morning the successes and struggles of Sunday morning are still fresh in my mind. But the one thing that is true about every Sunday is how much you all care for the children in our ministry.

I think sometimes its easy to focus on the struggles of Sunday and we often forget about the successes. We focus on the fact that we didn't get all the way through the lesson, kids were having trouble focussing and that one kid was distracting everyone. We beat ourselves up because the service didn't go the way that we wanted it to go but I want us to look at things from a different light...

Ask yourself this question: Did you do your best? Did you give everything that God has equipped you to give? If the answer is yes...than Sunday was a success.

Yes, I know we had preschoolers trying to escape, babies that were inconsolable, and elementary age kids tearing apart the stage design, but we showed love. In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Every time we open the doors to E:KIDZ we are letting the little children come to Jesus. It might not look like how we imagined it, but every child in the room is sitting, squirming, running, rolling at the feet of Jesus.

As frustrating and discouraging that it might be some days when if feels like there isn't a child in the classroom who is listening or participating, take heart and know that you are leading them to the feet of Jesus and his word is being being written on their hearts and becoming a part of who they will forever be.

Dear Volunteer, when you are feeling discouraged I beg you to turn to Jesus. Everything you do, from teaching Bible lessons to 4th graders to preparing snacks for toddlers, should flow from your relationship with Jesus. Spending time in the Word, being a part of a small group, and attending “big” church are important for your spiritual walk. Many of you have heard us say "you can't pour from an empty cup". Let your relationship with Jesus overfill your cup and the children will drink from that overflow. If you want to learn more about how to have a growing and vibrant relationship with Jesus, please see me and I will be more than happy to serve you. In John 15:5 Jesus says; "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." Abide in Jesus for your strength and allow him to lead through you.

Dear Volunteer, I know sometimes it may feel like it, but you are so much more than a Sunday morning babysitter! As a Children’s Ministry volunteer, you are planting seeds of the gospel in the hearts and minds of children with every song you sing, game you play, and snack you give. Every gospel-centered conversation you have with a little one is bursting with opportunity to be used by God in the life of a child. Parents appreciate your service more than you can even imagine. The ability to attend a church service without distraction and with peace of mind that their child is well taken care of is a gift, and they are very thankful. In Proverbs 22:6 we are instructed to "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it." Every single one of you from rocking babies in the nursery to desperately trying to hold the attention of 6th graders are part of the training that is leading every child to Jesus.

Dear Volunteer, thank you for your time and service to Children's Ministry. We want you to love volunteering at our church, and especially in Children’s Ministry! No matter what your spiritual gifts are, there is a place for you. No matter your passion or comfort level around kids, there is a place for you here. Wherever you serve, whether with the babies, tweens, or behind the scenes, we want you to love where you are serving. If you are already serving and think that there might be a better fit for your gifts in Children’s Ministry, please let me know and we can have a conversation about switching your area of service. The Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." Every time you serve you serve Jesus and share his love with his children.

Dear Volunteer, please know that you are loved. The kids in your class talk with their parents about the Gospel lessons you teach them all week long. They look forward to your warm welcome, fun games, spirited songs, and life giving lessons each week. Be encouraged… you are loved! You are building lasting relationships with children and giving them one more person in their life who they can trust and that they know cares about them. Committing to serving when you are scheduled lets them know that they can count on you and that you care for them. I love what is written in Galatians 6:9; "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." There will be days that you want to give up, trust me, I've had them to; but it just about then when something clicks with a child, or a parent shares an encouraging word or story and we are reminded that what we are doing makes a difference.

Dear Volunteer, if you are in the middle of a hard season, I want to know! I want to pray for you, minister to you, encourage you and be there for you. Please know that you are not in it alone. If life is going well for you, Praise God! I want to know that too. Our Children’s Ministry is a family, we bear each other’s burdens and rejoice in each other’s joys. But we can’t do that, if we don’t know what’s going on in your life. Please always feel welcome to send me a prayer request, a text in times of struggle or hardship, or a call if you just need someone to listen. I know I look busy on Sunday mornings, but I am never too busy for you. I may not be able to talk in the moment by I will connect with you during the week, every one of you is important to me. In Galatians 6:2 we are called to "carry one another's burdens" so please reach out, I'm here.

Dear Volunteer, do you have a question? Don't be afraid to ask. One of the most important parts of my job is to make sure that you have everything you need to serve well in our Children’s Ministry. If there is something you need to do your job better, please let me know. If you have a question about anything, or if you see something that you don’t understand, please feel comfortable talking with me. I want to be a resource for you as you carry out your ministry at this church. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 it says, "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." You are not alone in children's ministry. I am here and we both have God. Together our ministry will be stronger. So don't be afraid to ask.

Dear Volunteer, you are so important. The love and care that you give as you minister to each child is so very important. This church could not fulfill its mission and vision without your sacrifice of time, energy and love that you pour into each child. You are the heart of this church. You allow parents to grow and receive the word of God without distraction, and you are raising up the next generation of believers. We have a pastor right here in our church who came up through our ministry and is now leading our youth, and you are leading his children. We are building the foundation of Christ's church one child, one family at a time. A foundation that will last for generations. What you do matters. Please know that the leadership of this church appreciates your service and so do I. From the word of God through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 43:4, "you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you"

Dear Volunteer, I hope that as you have read this you have found encouragement. As I close I want to leave you with one last thought, but probably the one that matters most. God sees your acts of service. Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” God sees your service in Children’s Ministry. He remembers it, and your service here is showing Him love.

PRAYER:

Father God,

I pray for every volunteer who is reading this today. I pray that you will lift them up, encourage their hearts and fill them with your spirit. God I pray that they will lean in closer to and find comfort in your word. God help us to lead your children well and fill our ministry with volunteers who have a vision and a passion for children and for you. God thank you for your faithfulness and the never-ending love that you show us. - Amen -