Preparation.
Throughout the week leading up to class, Sally is extremely proactive. In addition to having a constant dialogue with God concerning the girls in the class, she sends dozens of hand-written notes, texts and emails to the girls. Often these notes regard principles that may have been initially over their heads or concerns expressed in class.
KNOW the Girls.
Sally says God has revealed to her how much He deeply loves each of these girls. She feels how excited Jesus is about what can happen in their lives. As a result, she wants to know what excites each girl and how to nurture that. As a result, she created a …
Student of the Week.
Sally told me, “Jesus takes such an interest in who we are that we need to take an interest in each other.” Therefore, each week one lucky girl is designated as Student of the Week. They are given an opportunity to describe what makes them truly unique. Girls have played the flute, brought in lizards, chickens, goats and done a variety of other things. Each girl’s uniqueness is celebrated.
Energy and Ownership.
Each girl is given something to do. It’s their class. Some make copies, others set up. Three or four girls are selected to pray in each class. The Bible story is communicated in some creative manner the girls can assist in, like a skit or group poster. Sally also feels there is energy in the Words of Life. Each week the girls are taught to sign a Bible verse. Sally says: “God is so fun that He wants to see the girls up and moving. Also, [these truths are] reinforced through seeing, hearing and touching.”
Teen Helpers.
Girls do not want to leave Sally’s class. Therefore, as a matter of necessity, they created and discovered the value of teen helpers, of which my daughter is one. The girls in the class have administrative duties. The teen helpers’ responsibilities are relational. They’re there just to love the girls. Sally states they bring energy to the class and “a priceless perspective.” The elementary girls really look up to and are greatly influenced by the teenagers.
Organizational Support.
Your most talented leaders should have guidelines, not rules. The church leadership deserves much credit by not forcing Sally into following the curriculum everyone else does. They give her much room for creativity, like live animals in the church. They recognize the unique giftedness of Sally and the results her class produces.
In conclusion, Sally describes her class as “organized chaos,” but the results are undeniable. The girls LOVE Sally’s class and it is the “can’t miss” event of their week. As she says, “The female heart, whether young or old, is a tender thing.” No one shepherds these hearts better than Sally.
Pastors and church leaders, use the list provided above to train your volunteers. If you do, you too may be privileged to have the most effective volunteers a church could ever have.
