Do Not Throw Away the Summer

Summer provides a unique opportunity for you to impact the lives of children and families in your church and community; an opportunity you are not likely to experience any other time of year. Why is this? Because the children are not at school all day - they could therefore, be involved in ministry opportunities to reach and equip them to know and walk with God!

Children typically do not have such early bedtimes - which means you have the ability to provide opportunities to reach children - and families - and equip them to know and walk with God! Summertime is a time when children - and families are often looking for something to do; which means you are able to provide opportunities to reach children - and families - and equip them to know and walk with God!

So, are you?

Are you planning opportunities to reach children - and families - and equip them to know and walk with God, or are you "rolling up your sidewalks" and cutting back on these opportunities? Many, far too many, Children's Ministries do not offer opportunities for children and families in the Summer - or when they do it is little more than a play-day at a park. Some - again, far too many, do not even offer Sunday morning opportunities in the Summer.

Yes, I know it takes volunteers and it is often a challenge to get enough volunteers, but it is well worth the work and effort to get the volunteers you need. When I led the Children's Ministry in churches large (1600 people) and small (100 people) the recruiting challenges were the same - just in the larger churches I needed more volunteers, but I had more potential volunteers available in the church.

So, for me, recruiting "boiled down" to the following . . . 

• Prayer. Always pray for the volunteers you need and get others to do the same.
• Supporting and appreciating the volunteers I already had - this is essential, because we should support and appreciate our volunteers. Period. But, also because when we do, they are more likely to remain volunteers long-term and this builds a great strength into our ministry.
• Recruit with enthusiasm. NEVER sound like you are desperate for volunteers or try to "guilt" people into serving. Serving is a privilege! Serving brings great joy! Asking people to be involved is inviting them to experience this joy - you are not asking them to do something horrible, so do not sound like you are!
• Involve volunteers you have in finding more. Most volunteers know people - their friends and family - who they may be able to influence to get involved. Involve your volunteers in recruiting!
• Engage the grandparents! They have MUCH to offer. Involve them!

So, make plans - great plans - and take advantage of the Summer! Kick your Children's Ministry into High Gear and provide opportunities to reach children - and families - and equip them to know and walk with God!