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My KidMin Friends.....
I've had this on my heart over the last week or so, and just want to have a little chat with you. Let's imagine we are sitting down for a cup of coffee (or tea for me! :-P and let's just talk and think and share. I know...I'm doing ALL the talking, but feel free to have a "chat" with me, as you read.
First of all, let me preface this blog post with this caveat:
If you are the type of person that can easily say no to volunteering to help with a church function...
If you have time to scroll through Facebook for hours on end...
If you are NOT already considered a busy person...
If can EASILY make time for those little entertainments and "pleasure" trips, etc....
...this post is not for you! :D And I say that in the kindest way possible.
There is NOTHING wrong with the things mentioned above...within reason. So keep that in mind, as well. But if those things are more who you are than the following, then you don't need to spend time reading this.
HOWEVER...
If you are extremely busy in the church...
If you are in multiple ministries...
If you tend to be the one that people come to for ideas and organization...
If you leave household chores go because of ministry needs (within reason!)...
If you are just plain tired....
...PLEASE KEEP READING!
Last week, I talked about being a creative person...or not.
As a creative person, I've found that people come to me a lot for ideas, for help, for promotion design, etc. for all different ministries in the church.
This is a great thing....but can also be....weeeeeelll....not so great!
I think when we are ministry minded, we tend to beat ourselves up with guilt, if we end up saying "no" to something: whether it's helping with an event or even just attending an event! I believe it is very important for us to find a balance.
I want to address this in more detail with some specifics. If it doesn't apply to you, maybe you can glean what will apply...and most of all, I pray it will help you in your ministry!
Let's first chat about your specific Children's Ministry in general.
There are so many different aspects of curriculum. Sometimes it can get overwhelming. But keep in mind that "YOU don't have to do everything!" Yes, we need to always be striving for more excellence, but if you are trying to do absolutely everything, you will most likely NOT be excellent in ANYTHING! Pick and choose what will work for you and your staff...what will work for you WITHOUT stressing you out! LOL
Do some object lessons, but skip others.
Do some skits, but forgo those that you just can't find the time to get together.
Have a snack listed? Well, go for it! UNLESS you feel it's too much extra for cost and/or prep.
The main thing to think about is: what will this activity contribute to the lesson. Will it help tremendously, or will it not make a huge difference in how the children retain the main point?
Sometimes little things make a HUGE difference, but other times they are a lot of extra work that won't really change the outcome of the lesson.
And speaking of outcome...(this is slightly off topic...lol)...I feel we are so connected to the outcome, to the result, that we are depressed, discouraged, and unhappy when we don't see magnificent results. Weeeeellll Who is ultimately in charge of the result?! Jesus, of course!!!! We, as ministers, must disconnect ourselves from the result. You must first be doing everything you're supposed to be doing, and doing it well. Once you've done all you can do, it's all up to Jesus! So don't feel discouraged if you don't see amazing results every week in Kid's Church. :D Some things we just don't see outwardly.
Work to disconnect yourself from the result.
Back to our topic...."I can't do everything!"
NO! You can't!
I have found for myself personally, there are times I simply can't attend an event at church (outside of church services, of course!), because I have no extra evening that week. NOT when it's a special service...that is never an option to cut out. But let's just say something like a ladies get-together, or something extra. Just remember that you DO need fellowship outside of your own ministry. This is very important! But there are times when you just need to say no. Balance....balance. :D
I guess one thing we all need to remember is this:
Whatever we do, must be done with excellence. If you have to narrow it down to focus on just a few things, that's OK! Give your very best in everything you do, and when you see that some things are falling to the wayside, maybe it's time to reevaluate. Take a step back to see what you can cut out, and what is necessary for your ministry, your family, and ultimately your salvation.
Here's a simple example:
Last night, we had puppet team practice for our performances this weekend. We have seasoned puppeteers, brand new puppeteers, and some somewhat new puppeteers. All of the above! LOL We are doing a worship song that I arranged choreography for them. There is specific movements to one side, then the other, clapping, of course singing, etc. As I was giving instruction, I noticed some looking a little bit overwhelmed. I just stopped and said, "If all you can do it sing and move the puppet a little bit, that is all you need to do! Focus on perfecting those movements, and then you can add the others when you're ready." What I wanted to get across to them was that if your puppet is moving it's mouth properly, and looking alive with some little movements of the head and body, that's enough!!! No one is going to notice the things NOT happening.
I think that's how we need to see our ministries sometimes. We think, "Oh that would be so fun!" or "I have GOT to do that!" But if you keep piling things on, adding more and more, but none of it is done with excellence, THAT'S when people will notice. If you do fewer things, but do them well, no one will know if something is missing.
Again, this entire blog post has to be taken in context. I am speaking today to those that are completely overwhelmed, overdone, and stretched thin in all areas. If you are taking the easy way out...it's time you step up and help those others out that are tired! :D
(Said in love, of course!) Just because you do one small thing, doesn't mean you can't help out in other areas. So look around, see who is running to and fro trying to get things done, and ask how you can lighten their load. :-)
I feel like I'm rambling on and on...I pray that some of this is making sense to you.
I'd love to hear if this helped you in any way. Comment below, or send me a message.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
God Bless,
Sara Vojtasek & Joel's Vision Ministries