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Moderator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 4/22/2009 11:47:11 AM
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| OK, we've all had them...trying, difficult times when it comes to rounding up children's ministry volunteers that can be counted on. Do you have a funny story or a moving anecdote about just such an experience? If so, share it with us and the whole childrensministry.com community! Thanks!
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Forum Expert
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 3:20:52 PM
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After only 1 month at my new church, I was informed that I had to recruit the Vacation Bible School Director. I had NO idea how I would find that perfectly suited person to take on the biggest and most demanding volunteer leadership position in our ministry. I could barely put names with faces!
Our nominations committee didn't have time to wait for me to "get-to-know" the congregation. We needed a Director NOW! I used the only tool I felt I had at the time. I immediately began praying that God would point that person out from the crowd and also to make sure I got their name right!
Within that week, my husband & I began our "New Members Class" to help orient us to our new church home. There were only 6 others in our class, so it didn't take me long to learn their names, but since the teacher did most of the talking, I still knew very little about my fellow new members.
For several days after that first class, God kept inserting a name into my thoughts everytime I prayed about that VBS Director position. It was the name of a lady I had briefly met that first day of that class, so I was skeptical. I figured that I was simply recalling one of the few names I could recall, so I waited.
But God would NOT let up! Her name kept coming into my head. I asked a few people on staff if they knew anything about her, but they knew less than I.
The following Sunday, as the lady was gathering her two daughters after Sunday School, I took a deep breath and reintroduced myself, then told her what God had laid upon my heart. I told her that I had no idea why, but that God had put her name on my heart as the person He wanted to lead our Vacation Bible School.
Her reaction was immediate... total shock. I figured I had blown it, but I held my breath and waited for her to speak. When she finally spoke, her shock was explained. She said, with a smile, "You must have heard that I directed VBS at my last church." Now, it was my turn to be shocked! She added, "...and I would LOVE to be a VBS Director!"
Our VBS that summer was amazing because of her administrative gifts and quiet, yet strong, leadership. From that day on, I always put prayer first when recruiting.
Not all positions are filled that quickly, nor without recommendations and finding out more about the person before I ask, but God continues to do his part. As long as I am listening and follow his lead, he takes me directly to the people He has already chosen to serve and matches them with the right positions and tasks.
Sometimes, they even call me, but that's another story.
Lisa B from NC
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:01:21 PM
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i don't have a funny story or an anecdote but a difficult dilemma. right now we're doing summer sunday school and we ask folks from the congregation to volunteer for just one sunday, this is to give our regular teacher a break over the summer ( i also get a chance to scope out possible teacher material for the upcoming year). well, one elderly gentleman volunteered and taught recently. he kind of strayed a little from the topic (he was given a curriculum and neglected much of it even though he asked for the material in advance, he didn't go over the bible verse either. the kids listened but didn't seem engaged ( i know they will be respectful but i'm not sure how effective he is). after his lesson he said he was then going to adult bible study, there was a small reception going on...he left without doing any supplemental activities that were suggested with the lesson so there was plenty of time left even before snacks were to be given out. i didn't like the fact that he left without staying till the end. he has since said he would volunteer for the rest of the summer but i told him we wanted to have different people give it a try. he later said that he would teach on a regular basis
i've heard from 2-3 members that they are a little suspect of him....one suggested that he definitely go through a background check and also suggested that i have him maybe be a helper for a year before considering him. this year i drafted a handbook...i'm thinking of doing an informal interview with him...for many years we've just done things so informally and have given whoever who wanted to volunteer a chance at it....as superintendant i'm thinking i should do the interview and also have a talk with the pastor...i will definitely pray on this one...any suggestions out there...if i do consider him i'm thinking he still would need an assistanct teacher, maybe more than a helper ...
jackie
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