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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 1/28/2009 11:25:56 AM
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| I have several volunteers that are having childern this year or already have childern under the age of 3. This is a great blessing from the Lord for us. However, it has caused us to look at how to "do" youth ministry when team members and potential team members are having young childern. The families with childern typically have the mothers stay home while the fathers go on the mission trips, etc... We are increasing in young girls coming to our youth ministry and are in need of female mentors. I know recruitment is needed, however, I also don't want to say "Alright, once your child gets old enough then you can come back on the team and serve in youth ministry". Anyone have any ideas or have faced this before???
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:18:26 PM
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Rompin,
I know recruitment is needed, however, I also don't want to say "Alright, once your child gets old enough then you can come back on the team and serve in youth ministry".
Is this intended for the husband or wives who are staying home for now? I wouldn't place your male workers on the shelf until their kids get older. I would love to hear more of your situation!
Matt
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 1/28/2009 11:25:56 AM
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| Matt... Here is the situation. The females on my team are having babies. This is great! It has also caused us to recruit more volunteers. This is also great! However, the ladies with child are unable to go to any of the youth events, like Mission Trips, Aquire the Fire, NYWC, etc... because these organizations do not allow childern to be in the sessions or on the field. Thanks!
Rompin
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Forum Expert
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Rompin,
Thanks for the clarification. Sometimes my ADD brain gets a little jumbled from time to time. Here are a couple of thoughts.
1. Most conferences (NYMC, NYWC) encourage couples and families to attend. I definetly know we at NYMC do encourage families to attend our conference (which comes up in Feb by the way  ). Find a way to encourage the families to attend to keep the training going or even bring the training to them.
2. Find a way to minister to the moms. You can use them as mentors to the new females coming in. Maybe a "mom's night out" would be extremely helpful for the ladies to know they are still loved and appreciated. Or you can even step it up and arrange the other workers to babysit so the couples can have a date night and make it more of a surprise type setting. It would take some work but the dividends would be huge!!!!
3. Personaly sit down with each new mom and give them verbal appreciation for all they've done for the ministry. Personal visits go along way with credibility and what I call "personal equity". Express you would love for them to come back in when they are totally ready.
Their not feeling "on the shelf" can only be combated from positive reinforcement from only you. If you want them to come back make it clear and minister to them now.
let me know how it goes! I would love to hear how you handle it!
Matt
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:57:42 PM
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Keep in mind, as much of a blessing their children are to these ladies, chances are they are feeling the burden of missing out as well. If there are other options for someone watching their kids i think you may find that some of these ladies would love to come to some of the smaller activities.
Masterpiece in Progress - Building masterpieces one person at a time.
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