Remembering Your Volunteers

As you begin your new school year of ministry this fall, pause for a moment and consider your volunteers.  Here are some ideas . . .

1. First of all, take a moment to thank God for sending the workers! I love the way the NCV translates Matthew 9:38:

“Pray to the Lord, who owns the harvest, that he will send more workers to gather his harvest.”

The harvest is God’s and if we ask, He will send us the workers we need to gather His harvest! Be sure to take time to thank Him for doing so!

2. Take time to thank your volunteers, too. Tell them “thank you”! Walk right up to your volunteers this Sunday and tell them thank you for giving of their time and themselves to the children and to the Lord! Send them a note – hand written – at least once a quarter and take advantage of resources such as DaySpring’s free e-cards send these to your computer savvy volunteers to brighten their day, too!

3. Make a point of sharing with others how thankful you are for your volunteers!

4  Show them you are thankful for them, too! Pay attention! Notice! Is a volunteer ill, or do they have a child who is home sick with the flu or some other illness? Take them a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup . . . or find someone in your church who makes the most amazing homemade chicken noodle soup and ask them if they would be willing to make some for a volunteer in need! Spread the fun around and find ways for others in your church to have the opportunity to show their appreciation to your volunteers, too!

5. Most importantly of all, pray for your volunteers! Make it a regular part of what you do every day. Pray for them. Pray for them. Pray for them! Make this your prayer for your volunteers as you being your Fall ministry to children –

5 Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.  Selah 11 God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God, 12 and faithful love belongs to You, LORD. For You repay each according to his works. [Psalm 62:5,6-8,11,12, HCSB]

Here is a Prayer for your volunteers –

Dear God I pray today You will help the volunteers in my church remember to find their rest in You alone. Please help them know their hope comes from You and please remind them You alone are their rock and salvation, their stronghold! Please assure them they will not be shaken! As they go through this day please help them remember their salvation and glory depends on You because You are their strong rock, their refuge and their God! Please help them trust You always and comfort them as they pour out their heart before You. Please lift their hearts as they praise You for being their refuge! Reassure them with the truth strength belongs to You! Please help them rest in Your faithful love! Thank You. Amen.