Early in college I started volunteering at a number of different churches working with predominately teens and teaching an occasional middle-school class. A few years later I eventually became a children's director for a new church. Now I have been serving as a volunteer with children & various other rolls at our church for nearly 3 years. A common thing I see is a lack of interest in serving with children and teens.
What's going on?
Honestly, it's fun. It's a blast. Those young-one's are hilarious! It's a joy to get to see them learn, to see them show their parents what they created and re-hash what they learned in class. It's a short 1.5 hours of fun!
Those who do serve have predominately been in that role for years and serve, for the most part, every week.
Every.
Week.
Then when they take a vacation or are sick, they feel guilty because they know there's a huge hole and somebody's going to be really stressed (usually the Children's Director or leader) without them.
Not only do these volunteers work every week with our kids but they also are the same volunteers that serve in a variety of other ways (making coffee, taking out the trash, setting-up, etc). Yes, for the most part they love to serve and find joy in doing it!!!
What they don't tell you....
is that they sometimes feel like they are suffocating and that occasionally their heart is out of place when serving because they are burnt out. They keep on keeping on out of love but we shouldn't let it get to that point.
What's most frustrating is that church staff/leaders feel like they need to tiptoe around the fact that they feel like they are going to suffocate each week due to lack of volunteers and won't come on out and say it. They make great videos and word everything like, "Here's a great opportunity for you..." (which is certainly true) but they don't say that the ball is being dropped everywhere and people are stressed to-the-max because of people not being willing to take an extra few minutes out of their day. As a volunteer and ex-director... all of your churches are DESPERATE for good people to serve in a variety of ways. There it is... the honesty that needs to be proclaimed.
Trust me, I know all of the reasons not to give the Children's Director your # or email. I know every one of them. You don't want to do it every week! Deep down, you know that's what's going to happen and you don't want to be bogged down... trust me... I'm with you. The thing is, that wouldn't be the case if more people stepped up to serve every once in a while or at least be willing to be a fill-in.
Be willing. Love. Give up a brief moment of time in your week, month or year. Serve in some way.
Not everyone is able or should work with children but know that it is a great place to invest your time. This isn't just applicable in a church setting but is true for most non-profits. Find a place. Serve. Love.
