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 Posted 7/7/2009 9:18:49 AM |
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I think it does get easier with more years but getting volunteers is always the hardest part. Having a co-director that you work well with and bounce off each other's strengths is the best. I've tried to do it by myself and it is too overwhelming. My co-director is the best!!! I think enthusiasm does build some after you do things groups way. I didn't do everything groups way at first like mixed aged crews but try to make some changes each year. Your teens sound enthusiastic. Could you use them as crew leaders instead of having a class for them?
Most of all just pray. God will let you know if you suppose to do it again next year.
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| Posted 7/7/2009 10:43:01 AM |
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| I think that anyone who works in their church , regardless of the roll or the age group, probably has a similar story to share. It is unfortunate to say the least. I hope that you find words of encouragement here in this forum. I send a big (((HUG)) From this Children's Pastor and VBS director. The important thing to focus on is the calling. When God calls you to do something, he will give you the power to overcome all the negatives that come with the job. Don't allow the negative actions of people to rob you from the joy of serving God. My advice is to Take a deep breath, and allow God to renew your energy and your focus. Maybe God is re-directing your opportunties to serve him? If not,He will give you the assurance that you are right where He wants you. Either way, once the dust settles and your mind and body are well rested, I would also recommend that you evaluate all of the "advice and feedback" that you were given during the week. Even the harshest and most hurtful advice may offer some opportunties for improvement next year. No VBS director is perfect, so don't take things personally, or let it defeat you! Maybe you already did everything to the best of your abilities and need to change nothing. Aren't you glad that we only have to please God in this life??! Do your best, always react in a Christlike manner, and God will surely bless. ((FEAR NOT!)) I do believe that lots of prayer, tons of planning and experienced/reliable help is the key to success. (I also know that sometimes getting that combination is very difficult) For me, the hardest lesson to learn was that things didnt have to be done my way. I wanted everything to be done exactly like the book, and to fit the picture that I had in my head of how they should do things. I was stressed, overworked, and looking back, I admit that there were times that I was hateful and probably seemed unappreciative of the work that others did. I didnt enjoy VBS like I could have. This year, I gave the station leaders their manuals and said.. "Use these are your guidelines, but feel free to adapt things as you see fit" The adaptations have been beautiful! The personalities and the specialties of the workers are shining through. ((My Bible Bayou Leader is making actual HAIL for the kids to throw at Pharoah tonight. Our Chadder Theater Directors rewrote the script to remove chadder, and asked Skeeter to come back and do that part each night instead. We have some preschoolers on the wrong teams, to allow younger kids to stay with their siblings, and I actually have a few kids that are too old to attend in the first place, but seem to be having a blast. I pray that God really reaches them this week!)) The kids are happy. Everyone is all smiles, The workers have ownership, and have already begun to volunteer for next year (Tonight is Night 2 of Crocodile Dock). Keep the faith! Very Blessed Children's Pastor/VBS Director Amy Harris
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| Posted 7/7/2009 3:48:48 PM |
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I feel for you...This is my second year as Director and one of my biggest volunteers was the lady who I replaced when she retired. I must say this year was much easier to deal w/ all her "advice"..last year...thats another story  I also had a very hard time getting volunteers. If it wasn't for my friends bringing their children and then leading I would have been outta luck. Part of the issue I have is all my volunteers must have a background check and a 3 hour training before being able to be around children. it makes it very difficult when I have such a limited group to choose from. I do not do the program as it is written either due to my low number of volunteers. I modify it to work for us. I eliminated quite a few stations and just did Snacks ( just had a couple moms get very simple treats ready), Crafts, Bible Bayou, Dockside Drive-in, and music. I do a brief opening and closing and toss the rest...noone says you HAVE to do it as written.
HeatherReligious Education Director from Washington
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