The non-children Children’s Ministry volunteer. You know the type. They volunteer for VBS, Kids Church, Sunday School, Camp, almost everything. Then they stand in the back of the room, talk with other volunteers, and the kids are left alone. No relationships are formed with kids, just with other adults.
I feel like this is one of the greatest atrocities in modern children’s ministry. These people feel an obligation to volunteer, a sort of “duty”, and so they do. And that is honorable. But their downfall is in that they ignore the very people they volunteered to help! Could you imagine if those people volunteered to serve lunch at a homeless shelter, then stood in the back of the room while the people remained hungry? It would never happen! But for some reason people think that kids are “too low for them” and “not worthy of their presence”. These kids are a lot like those homeless people. They are hungry for the word of God, and we’re standing in the back of the room chatting, while they starve to death.
OK, so here is my brave statement of the day: You are better off not volunteering at all, than volunteering then not working. That does two things:
- It says to the kids: “I don’t care about you, I’m here for the adults.”
- The event director doesn’t have enough help. When they say they need 25 volunteers, they mean working volunteers, not 10 workers and 15 “hang-outers”.
I know no one likes to “fire” volunteers per say, but sometimes it is necessary. If a volunteer can’t get the idea that Children’s Ministry, uh, um, involves real live children, maybe they should be working elsewhere in the church. As leaders, we need to set an example for the other leaders, not join in! Don’t do it just because it’s “cool”. Peer pressure is as much pushed on adults as kids and teens. So make sure that you set an example, then enforce the idea, rather than simply letting it slide.
So what do you think?
Update 10:32 AM-6/14/07: Hey, this is Evan here. A commenter named Laura made a good point in the comments about the volunteers who do things like snacks and sets. I responded to her here. I would encourage you to check it out. Thanks!
I think you make a valid point. I have had these kinds of folks come through the children’s ministry I lead. For some of them, a little redirection is helpful in terms of giving them specific tasks which need to be accomplished. Yet there are some that seem only to be interested in fellowshipping with other adults. I would graciously direct them to other ministry expressions better suited to their temperaments. During the recruitment interview process I try to screen folks, determining their suitability to work directly with kids.
Thanks for the blog and the article!
Blessings,
Glen Woods
I also agree to a point. I have also redirected volunteers who feel obligated, but don’t have the passion or skills to build relationships with kids. The unskilled volunteer can be coached, and I have had some good results with that.
However, I also have a group of non-children children’s ministry volunteers that I couldn’t do with out. These are people who want to be a part of the ministry, because they see God working. These are my set builders for Sunday School and VBS, and my snack makers for VBS. These are people who will help prep craft materials or sew costumes.
These volunteers contribute is a real way that is vital to the ministry.
Laura
Hey all, Evan here. I wanted to clarify what I said in the post. Like Laura said, there are many volunteers who do many valuable things in our ministries besides working with kids. Kids Ministry couldn’t exist without those people. Those aren’t the kind of people that I am talking about in this post. What I’m really trying to talk about are the leaders who say they want to work with the kids on a close basis, then stand in the back and talk.
Set builders and snack people are important! Don’t think I’m denying that. The thing to watch out for are the people who work with kids because it’s “noble” or “their duty to God”, but don’t love kids. Those set builders and snack makers may not be called to minister to kids, but indirectly they can touch their lives in ways they can’t imagine.
Thanks Laura for bringing this up. I wouldn’t have thought of it that way otherwise.
the things i hear elementary age kids say that matter to them most, especially the younger kids, is that “so-and-so took time to acknowledge me!” time and love and action go a long way. we are all guilty of this at one point or another but we must remember when we are standing in the back chatting it up that our kids are longing for what we have to give! every peice of the puzzle is important from the person who picks up the trash when the kids leave right on up to the one who has been entrusted with sharing God’s word. you are correct in reminding us that we are not at church to mess around. we are at church soley for the purpose of glorifying God and teaching others to do so as well… by example! their is a war out there for the souls of people. it’s time to get serious!
I think you all bring to the table some really valid points. Acknowledging a child and letting them know you care is critical. I have received feedback from parents about kids that were once very shy and timid, and through acknowledging and encouraging them, they are now the ones who raise thier hands first, and want to help lead. It is so awesome to see kids lives changed like that.
I agree that it is important that front-line volunteers interact with the kids. Sometimes in my church I have a tough time finding people to get involved, especially since we are so small. I pray that God brings those who He wants involved in the children’s ministry, and that He equips us with the skills necessary.