Remind Your Volunteers How Special They Are! (re-run)

As you plan for the beginning of your new school year of ministry - new classes, new children, new families and new volunteers, take a few minutes to gather all your volunteers and read them a story. Yes, a story . . . You Are Special by Max Lucado.

It is far too easy for us to get . . . and give "dot stickers" and "star stickers". We all need to be reminded of what Eli told Punchinello when we've received "bad marks", "'Oh, You don't have to defend yourself to me, child. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think.' 'You don't?' 'No, and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots? They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special.' Punchinello laughed. 'me, special? Why? I can't walk fast. I cant jump. My paint is peeling,. Why do I matter to you?' Eli looked at Punchinello, put his hand on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly. 'Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me. (You need to) decide what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them. The stickers only stick if they matter to you. the more you trust my love, the less you care about their stickers.'"

As you begin your new school year of ministry, remind your volunteers God thinks they are pretty special . . . and this is all which really matters!