Comments on: What Starbucks has figured out and children’s ministries haven’t, part 1 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/ Straight Talk for Serious Children's Ministers Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:04:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Charlotte http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3409 Charlotte Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:00:20 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3409 Thanks for the post, Evan! We are constantly talking about what the most effective method of training would be. Being located in the fast-paced metroplex of Southern Florida makes getting people to attend "training" very challenging. We have turned to "on the job" training, where we team our new volunteer with a seasoned volunteer for 2-3 weeks before assigning them their own small group. We're hoping that our retention of veteran volunteers will be higher as we challenge them to take more ownership in the success of the ministry by raising up new leaders. Time will tell! I am looking forward to the next nuggets of wisdom we are going to learn from Starbucks! Thanks for the post, Evan! We are constantly talking about what the most effective method of training would be. Being located in the fast-paced metroplex of Southern Florida makes getting people to attend “training” very challenging. We have turned to “on the job” training, where we team our new volunteer with a seasoned volunteer for 2-3 weeks before assigning them their own small group. We’re hoping that our retention of veteran volunteers will be higher as we challenge them to take more ownership in the success of the ministry by raising up new leaders. Time will tell!

I am looking forward to the next nuggets of wisdom we are going to learn from Starbucks!

]]> By: Duane http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3403 Duane Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:05:42 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3403 Excellent analogy. Most of the time at church we are overjoyed to get anyone - as long as they don't have a police record they must be wonderful. It is sad that we insist on certification for the computer tech to even think of touching your laptop, but those who touch our childrens' souls don't need training? We don't take our children's spiritual need seriously. Let's change that! Excellent analogy. Most of the time at church we are overjoyed to get anyone - as long as they don’t have a police record they must be wonderful.

It is sad that we insist on certification for the computer tech to even think of touching your laptop, but those who touch our childrens’ souls don’t need training?

We don’t take our children’s spiritual need seriously. Let’s change that!

]]> By: What Starbucks has figured out and children’s ministries haven’t, part 3 at The Way We See It http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3326 What Starbucks has figured out and children’s ministries haven’t, part 3 at The Way We See It Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:21:16 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3326 [...] is part three of a three-part series.  Read parts one and two [...] [...] is part three of a three-part series.  Read parts one and two [...]

]]> By: Evan Doyle http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3309 Evan Doyle Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:57:27 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3309 TJ, you make a valid point. The kind of "on the job" training that we need to be careful about is just throwing them in by themselves. It does need to be with someone experienced, so that way they are learning the correct way. It doesn't necessarily have to be a separate training time. It will be harder to get your current volunteers to go to training, admittedly, whether you make it easy for them or not. Many will be simply stuck in their old habits and refuse to change. <br><br> I also understand about what you say about their being busy. As for those who don't see the value in training, it's time to talk some sense into them! Share with them the analogy that they wouldn't want to visit a restaurant with all untrained staff, so the same way someone in charge of the care of a child's soul should be trained as well. A soul is much more important than coffee! Do make it easy for them to attend, and do whatever you can to make it work for them. Also, a great idea about the rewards. <br><br> So that's my post within a post. Just some thoughts from Evan! TJ, you make a valid point. The kind of “on the job” training that we need to be careful about is just throwing them in by themselves. It does need to be with someone experienced, so that way they are learning the correct way. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a separate training time. It will be harder to get your current volunteers to go to training, admittedly, whether you make it easy for them or not. Many will be simply stuck in their old habits and refuse to change.

I also understand about what you say about their being busy. As for those who don’t see the value in training, it’s time to talk some sense into them! Share with them the analogy that they wouldn’t want to visit a restaurant with all untrained staff, so the same way someone in charge of the care of a child’s soul should be trained as well. A soul is much more important than coffee! Do make it easy for them to attend, and do whatever you can to make it work for them. Also, a great idea about the rewards.

So that’s my post within a post. Just some thoughts from Evan!

]]> By: Pastor TJ http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3303 Pastor TJ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:28:55 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3303 I am all for this kind of training but have to agree with Todd. We are using volunteers. We can not make them go to a training. I believe that the best way to train them is on the job. So many of our volunteers are so busy and they dont see the value in training. I am not saying that is a good excuse I am just saying that it is an excuse. Anyway great post but that was a thought I had. Also maybe we should reward them once they have been through all the trainings. Kind of like starbucks black apron. Maybe we give them a nice shirt to wear or a coat or something. Anyway just a thought. I am all for this kind of training but have to agree with Todd. We are using volunteers. We can not make them go to a training. I believe that the best way to train them is on the job. So many of our volunteers are so busy and they dont see the value in training. I am not saying that is a good excuse I am just saying that it is an excuse. Anyway great post but that was a thought I had. Also maybe we should reward them once they have been through all the trainings. Kind of like starbucks black apron. Maybe we give them a nice shirt to wear or a coat or something. Anyway just a thought.

]]> By: What Starbucks has figured out and children’s ministries haven’t, part 2 at The Way We See It http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3300 What Starbucks has figured out and children’s ministries haven’t, part 2 at The Way We See It Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:46:44 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3300 [...] is part 2 of a three-part series.  To read part one, click here. What they’ve figured out #2: Experience is [...] [...] is part 2 of a three-part series.  To read part one, click here. What they’ve figured out #2: Experience is [...]

]]> By: Evan Doyle http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3292 Evan Doyle Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:24:39 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3292 Todd, I am very envious of your Starbucks manager wife. Working at Starbucks seems like it would be lots of fun. Jill, I'm sure we all can relate to your troubles. You've got yourself on a great track training yourself with Jim and Craig. They're both incredibly wise leaders, and will give you lots of great ideas. Janine, I couldn't agree more. Something many people forget in training is not just how to present the Word, but the importance of knowing the Word itself. Part of what makes Starbucks' partners so passionate is that they have to <em>know</em> their jobs, their coffees, and their products. The same is important for training our workers as well! Todd, I am very envious of your Starbucks manager wife. Working at Starbucks seems like it would be lots of fun.

Jill, I’m sure we all can relate to your troubles. You’ve got yourself on a great track training yourself with Jim and Craig. They’re both incredibly wise leaders, and will give you lots of great ideas.

Janine, I couldn’t agree more. Something many people forget in training is not just how to present the Word, but the importance of knowing the Word itself. Part of what makes Starbucks’ partners so passionate is that they have to know their jobs, their coffees, and their products. The same is important for training our workers as well!

]]> By: Janine http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3290 Janine Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:35:21 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3290 What makes people willing to pay 4bucks for a coffee? Sure, the coffee's good (and highly caffeinated :)), but it's the atmostphere they have created that brings people back. Aside from gaining valuable product knowledge, the training "partners" receive produces two other important results. The employees exude an air of confidence, and they are intentional in their communication with customers, without coming off as stiff or insincere. (a la "Would you like some fries with that?---imagine the "this-is-what-I-am-programmed-to-say-monotone". . .) If Starbucks can do it, so can the local church. It is imperative that leaders have proper training in the word and how to present it with kids, but our leaders should also exude the confidence we have in Christ, and be able to develop relationships both with the kids and the parents. What makes people willing to pay 4bucks for a coffee? Sure, the coffee’s good (and highly caffeinated :)), but it’s the atmostphere they have created that brings people back. Aside from gaining valuable product knowledge, the training “partners” receive produces two other important results. The employees exude an air of confidence, and they are intentional in their communication with customers, without coming off as stiff or insincere. (a la “Would you like some fries with that?—imagine the “this-is-what-I-am-programmed-to-say-monotone”. . .)
If Starbucks can do it, so can the local church. It is imperative that leaders have proper training in the word and how to present it with kids, but our leaders should also exude the confidence we have in Christ, and be able to develop relationships both with the kids and the parents.

]]> By: briana http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3281 briana Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:54:35 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3281 Kid, I don't understand how your brain comes up with these analogies but I am sure glad it does! As a worker I can testify that it is always better to have distinct direction and guidance to follow! We appreciate and value training, and it promotes a unified goal! Great post! Kid, I don’t understand how your brain comes up with these analogies but I am sure glad it does! As a worker I can testify that it is always better to have distinct direction and guidance to follow! We appreciate and value training, and it promotes a unified goal! Great post!

]]> By: Jill Chaney http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3278 Jill Chaney Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:21:09 +0000 http://www.thewayweseeitblog.com/2008/02/17/what-starbucks-has-figured-out-and-childrens-ministries-havent-part-1/#comment-3278 I can't wait to read the rest of this either! I have trouble getting our servants to training. I am starting this year with bringing in some outside trainers instead of just me and our leadership team. I would welcome any ideas and Todd I would like to hear what you are doing! My email is jill@1inchrist.org I've even started looking for retraining for myself. I will be spending time with Craig Jutila and I'm going to try and do the training with Jim Wideman for a year. Hope I can. Thanks for the blog Evan. Keep up the good work!! I can’t wait to read the rest of this either! I have trouble getting our servants to training. I am starting this year with bringing in some outside trainers instead of just me and our leadership team. I would welcome any ideas and Todd I would like to hear what you are doing! My email is jill@1inchrist.org
I’ve even started looking for retraining for myself. I will be spending time with Craig Jutila and I’m going to try and do the training with Jim Wideman for a year. Hope I can.

Thanks for the blog Evan. Keep up the good work!!

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