Affirmation doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. One small church in Colorado purchased a basket for each of its children’s workers and invited the kids—during a morning worship service—to fill the baskets with fruit and to say thank you. The children of another small congregation serenaded teachers with “thank-you” songs set to the music of carols. To the tune of “Jingle Bells,” they sang, “Thanks to you, thanks to you, for all the things you do.”
Children’s workers who quit generally do so because they feel used or tired. Affirming volunteers will restore their confidence and stamina and will improve their teaching. Also, public affirmations draw attention to your children’s ministry and subsequently attract potential workers. Everyone wants to be on a winning team!
5. Create success early.
When we toss volunteers into situations beyond their ability, they’ll likely become discouraged. And they’ll probably say no when they’re asked to renew their commitment.
On the other hand, volunteers who experience early success will enjoy their work and will be likely to stay. Start workers out on small, fun projects. Allow them to experience a small success such as going along on a zoo trip. Then begin to challenge them with larger jobs.
Schedule a training time for new teachers before they begin teaching. Then have new teachers team-teach for a few weeks with the outgoing teachers. Finally, have the new recruits teach lessons under the observation of outgoing teachers. With proper training, the new teacher is more likely to experience success early.
6. Strategize when nobody is left to ask.
It’s not a pretty sight: You have a class but no teacher. You’ve called everyone in the church directory, but no one will help. What do you do? Here are a few possibilities.
- Rotate parents. Parents of children in the class have the most at stake, so rotate them in to teach or help. This is less than ideal because children learn better when their classroom experience is stable.
- Find someone who will team-teach with a teenager. This is an especially good option for younger children. Make sure the adolescent is responsible and spiritually mature.
- Rearrange the classes. If you can’t find a teacher for your third and fourth graders, try moving the third graders in with the younger grades and the fourth graders in with the older grades. This is often an acceptable solution unless classes are already large.
- Close the class. It’s a last-ditch option, but it’s sometimes necessary. Notify the church at least three weeks ahead of time to make sure everyone gets word. Announcing the closing of a class will almost always produce a teacher, though he or she may be motivated by guilt. Give such a volunteer extra help and encouragement.
This article about how to recruit kidmin volunteers originally appeared here.
