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Forum Guru
 
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | Two veteran children's ministers sound off on the pros and cons of rotating volunteers: Pro Rotation: Selma Johnson writes that "adults are no longer the central focus in the classroom...I've become a huge proponent of a rotation system for volunteers in children's ministry." Against Rotation: Bonnie Workinger writes "there are significant advantages to establishing a consistent team geared toward developing relationships with kids as opposed to rotating volunteers each week." Read the article...and join the conversation. Share your opinion: pro or con? http://www.childrensministry.com/backissues/detail.asp?ID=6370 |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | We have a kids ministry of around 25 plus kids. We have 4 volunteers and we need at least two voulunteers on at any one time. So this means that in order for the volunteers not to miss out on attending the morning service we have to rotate the teachers. Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | One of our core values is relationships. We allow for folks to rotate month on/month off but encourage one year commitments to weekly ministry. We have a mixture of weekly and monthly volunteers serving. Consistency allows us to build relationships and to recognize visitors from regulars. In the nursery, certain babies respond to specifics - our weekly volunteers know what it is. Discipline problems are down with weekly volunteers. The fracturing of society means the church must work to build faithfulness and regularity. Relationships are the key, though - biblical. Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | I totally agree with the comments about relationships. In order to reach kids and their families for Christ, relationships between the adults in the church and the kids is vital to a growing ministry. That is difficult to do with rotating teachers. However, I do understand that challenges to small churches that give only one option for adults to worship. Prayer and the leadership of the Holy Spirit will always help us to be creative in our challenges to give our best to families for the sake of the Kingdom. Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | I agree with rotating because it gives people the chance to attend service but what stands out as more important is the relationships between teachers and students. I dont believe that inconsistency is a good way of dealing with children and agree with one year commitments, just like in regular schools. Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | I believe it's best to have regular teachers in the classroom, but sometimes that doesn't always work out. It's nice to have many people involved in the ministry, but I also think it's important to not have more than 2 teachers share a class on a rotating basis. Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | I think there needs to be a balance between rotating and consistent volunteers. In my book, ideally every volunteer would be there every week. Consistency is key with children. Relationships are built with time spent together. The teachers I have who are "regular" consistently reep the rewards as those who come once a month (I believe) enjoy what they do. But they need to reaquaint themselves with kids and adults each time they serve. I also find that those who are here on a weekly, or even bi-weekly basis are much more invested in the learning and lives of the children. They spend time preparing and praying each week, as well as figuring out new and better ways to reach the children. Those who serve once a month, don't get me wrong, are very valuable, but they're far less invested in the welfare of the child. This is why we offer both options to potential volunteers. I always begin with "Ideally, you'll be with the children every week.... However, if that doesn't work out for you, Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | The key is a mix of both. If you have a core group of consistant leaders, they are the stable influence on the group at large and make the rotating volunteers know who to "go to" as needs arise, and who is responsible for keeping the program running. We have used a large group of rotating volunteers for the past 5 years and it has been a blessing to all. Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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Forum Guru
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 3/14/2008 3:59:12 PM
Posts: 57, Visits: 125 |
| | We rotate our leaders on a 4-6 week rotation so the leaders can be 'fed' by still going to worship service the rest of the weeks. However the leaders still have a 'relationship' with most of the kids and their parents since they are in many cases the same people who are the leaders on a weekly basis in our Awana progrem (our Wed. night program for 3yrs thru 6th grade) Posted at the childrensministry.com poll |
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