A Correct View of God & Grace Makes a Difference!

I've been writing about our view of God and modeling grace to the children and families in our ministries. It is essential for us to have a correct view of God and for us to be people who model grace because what we believe shows itself in what we do and our actions really do speak louder than our words. If we want the children in our ministries to have a correct view of God; we have to have a correct view of Him. If we want the children in our ministries to grow up to be people who show grace to others in the way they talk and act; we need to be people who do this. The best programs and plans mean nothing if we do not have a correct view of God and model grace to others. This includes modeling grace to our volunteers.

As you begin a new school year of ministry, take time to evaluate how your view of God impacts your volunteers. Consider the following . . . 

• Do you give the impression nothing is ever enough? If you have a view of God which says nothing you do will ever be enough to please Him, then this is likely to be passed on to your volunteers. Of course, this is not an accurate view of God, so we do not want to pass it to our volunteers.
• Do you give the impression that you are always right and have all the answers? Of course God is always right and He does have all the answers, but if you give the impression you also are the one who "knows it all", then you may be giving your volunteers the impression God just wants blind obedience and is unreasonable; doesn't want to hear your ideas. The truth is God does want us to obey Him, but obeying Him brings joy; it doesn't leave us feeling like we are inferior.

These are just a couple things to think about when it comes to how your view of God impacts your volunteers. Along with thinking about this, take time to consider how modeling grace; or not doing so, impacts your volunteers. Consider the following . . .

• Do you "hold over their heads" when a volunteer makes a mistake? God does not do this. He forgives, puts it in the past and gives grace to help us go forward. When a volunteer makes a mistake - as long as it isn't a safety issue for children - don't hold it over their heads. Help them put it in the past and give them grace to go forward. Help them learn what they need to know to be successful in serving so they can continue to do so. 
• Do you listen to gossip and then frame your view of someone based on the gossip you heard? I know a pastor who did this and it caused great pain. Do NOT ever listen to gossip and even more importantly, do NOT gossip. 
• Do you make being thankful a high priority? It is far too easy to start behaving as if you are almost "owed" the kindness of others. Be a person who is graceful and genuinely thankful!

These are just a few things to think about when it comes to modeling grace to your volunteers. Be a person who has a correct view of God and who models grace to your volunteers. It really does make a huge difference in your ministry!