Volunteer insights can help you better serve your important ministry helpers. Kidmin volunteers love impacting children in positive ways. They enjoy sharing Jesus’ message with kids and seeing God move in the lives of the next generation. But leaders sometimes unknowingly and unintentionally get in their way.
We do things that frustrate volunteers and neglect to do things they expect of us. Oftentimes, they don’t speak up and end up quitting. We scratch our head and wonder why we have a high turnover rate and volunteers who aren’t committed. And the entire time…there are things we could have done to keep those volunteers and even see them flourish long-term.
So consider these volunteer insights. Then use them to better serve your team!
Volunteer Insights KidMin Leaders Need to Hear
Here are five things kidmin volunteers want you to know but probably won’t tell you.
1. “I love working with the kids, and it’s a rewarding ministry. But it’s also nice to hear ‘thank you.’”
Jean Massieu said, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”
When a leader takes time to write a personal note that specifically says why a volunteer is important to the team, it shows that you care not only about the spot they’re filling on your schedule, it says that you care for them, too. Throw in a gift card every once in a while as a bonus.
2. “I know you’re busy, but I need you to be organized.”
Most volunteers have busy lives. Start meetings on time, provide schedules in advance, and make sure necessary materials are in the classroom. That shows you care about the ministry to kids, and it’s not the last thing on your to-do list.
3. “I hate it when we simply babysit staff members’ kids.”
One negative byproduct of multiple services? Leaders’ children often attend numerous services every weekend. They might feel bored, shout out the answers before other kids can participate, and can display behavior problems.
Have the courageous conversation with your leadership team. Ask spouses to serve in opposite services so the leaders’ kids don’t have to be at church all weekend. That keeps church fun for the children, too.
