Church volunteers across the country pour out their time, energy and hearts leading kids’ Bible studies every week. Week in and out, they inspire the next generation of disciples, and they equip children for lifelong relationship with God. (Psalm 22:6). As church leaders, it can be hard to show how much we value our volunteers, but there are a few simple ways we can encourage them.
Make Encouragement a Priority
People who serve in kids ministry do what they do for a number of reasons — because they find joy in their service, because God called them to their work, because children teach them new things about the Lord and renew their faith — but never because it’s easy! Hebrews 10 reminds us that finding ways to encourage our volunteers and one another is an important part of this ministry, and every ministry.
And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Gathering together and supporting one another is a critical component in God’s ministry. But, it can be simple.
Simple Ways to Encourage
Sundays are an opportunity. Informal moments in the (organized) chaos of Sunday mornings give us a regular window to deepen our relationships with one another and offer words of encouragement.
1. Visit with Leaders During Class
One of my favorite parts of Sunday morning is getting to know the hearts of our outstanding volunteers. Our team walks laps up and down the hallways checking to see if our volunteers need any assistance but even more important perhaps, we catch up! When the kids are crafting, the babies are sleeping, and the toddlers are snacking, we find a moment to connect over family updates and our plans for the next week.
2. Take Impromptu Coffee Orders
Our team serves one, two or a handful of volunteers about once a month or so with a fresh latte or iced coffee of their choice from our onsite coffee shop or the closest coffeehouse down the street. It’s a small but practical way to surprise our volunteers with fuel for serving!
3. Introduce Yourself to Family
After serving, we find our volunteers often rejoin their families in our hallway before they head into the worship center or head home for the afternoon. Sometimes entire families serve together on Sundays in different classrooms. These moments are an opportunity to thank families for their part in supporting our volunteers’ choice to set aside time and serve. We also get to put faces to names!
Plan Ahead, If You Can
Throughout the year, you can also try to plan a few intentional moments to share your gratitude. Some ideas require more planning than others, but your volunteers will appreciate any time and energy you set aside for them.
1. Invite Your Crew to Coffee
Invite one or two volunteers out for coffee! Hear their stories, ask for feedback on their experience serving, and pray with them. In other words, build relationship!
2. Send Thank You Cards
We all love happy mail. Sending thank you letters, especially handwritten cards, is one way to say that you see your volunteers going the extra mile on God’s mission.
3. Share Small Holiday Gifts
Every budget is tight, but a small, intentional gift during holiday seasons like Easter and Christmas (but even Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other less-celebrated days are great opportunities!) is an exciting way to show gratitude. Think small gift bags of candy, ornaments or bookmarks.
4. Schedule Group Lunches
For teachers who may be struggling with large class numbers, how to meet special needs, or big personalities in their little disciples, a group lunch provides a forum to impart words of encouragement, brainstorm solutions, and toast to God’s amazing work in your classrooms.
Track It!
You may look over your list of volunteers — multiple lists for Sunday Bible studies, Wednesday programming and holiday services — and wonder how to care well for your flock. Track it! Our hearts are big, but memory stores are limited. A simple spreadsheet categorized by names, outreach items, and dates of outreach can be a useful tool.
With all that said, we will fall short. In all our efforts, we will forget. Remember our volunteers are loved nonetheless. For many of them, if not all, their service is their response to the love they’ve already received — the immeasurable love of Jesus Christ! (1 John 4:19).
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