Enlistment Tools for Effective Ministry

 

Building a strong childhood ministry takes time. An effective ministry to preschoolers and children begins with enlisting committed leaders. This task is a continual process with no quick fixes. Start with prayer and start early. You cannot wait until the last moment.

Enlistment is a team effort. Inform your pastor and church staff of your needs and concerns. Provide your church prayer committee with frequent up-to-date lists of vacancies and requests. Let adult classes know of your needs. Most members and leaders are amazed by the number of vacancies to be filled. Meet with deacons to share leadership needs.

Be creative with themes like:

• Who Will Teach the Children?
• Make a Difference in the Next Generation
• Serving in Preschool/Children’s Ministry Can Change a Life Forever
• Will You Be the Light of His Love to a Child?

When considering where to locate publicity items, think about areas where adults with and without children travel. Some areas include: in the adult area and in adult classes, hallways where adults enter the church, outside the worship center or fellowship hall ... and don't forget the childhood area.

Publicity options include:

• Bulletin boards, signs and special interest displays
• Announcements in bulletins, brochures and church newsletters
• Events: Children's Day or a Children’s Emphasis Week/Month
• Media: video and slide presentations
• Testimonies of parents and teachers
• Drama, skits and dialogues

The Search: Where Do You Look?
One tool for recruiting volunteers is to multiply yourself. Enlist others to assist you in this huge endeavor. Ask current leaders to recruit someone else. Each leader has a unique sphere of influence. Prospective leaders may include: senior adults, single adults, parents, grandparents, former teachers, Vacation Bible School volunteers, and ETC (Extended Teaching Care) volunteers.

Additional ideas include:

• Conduct prospective leader training classes.
• Review the church directory and church membership rolls.
• Encourage current leaders to brainstorm names.
• Observe participants in adult ministry activities.

God delights in giving His children a variety of gifts for ministry and service. One tool for ministry is to enlist workers for a position matched to their spiritual gifts. Here is a free, downloadable example of a Spiritual Gifts Survey. You could provide copies of this survey at your publicity displays and events. Or, you could give a copy to a potential worker when you meet for the interview.

You can help potential workers explore more deeply how spiritual gifts can be matched to ministry and discover a new appreciation for the gifts of others in your church through a six-week study titled Spiritual Gifts: A Practical Guide to How God Works Through You. This study is suitable for groups and individuals.

Pray carefully as you begin filling vacancies in your ministry teams. Place “rookie” teachers alongside veterans. Mix young adults with older adults and include men as well as women in each department. When teachers feel they are part of a team, it means better Bible teaching for boys and girls. Teams whose members make a yearlong commitment will grow and develop with each other.

Make That Contact
Set up a time to meet a prospective leader in a quiet, private setting for the initial contact. Be positive. A positive attitude is the only way to accomplish this task! Statements such as these can motivate people to serve:

• This Third-Grade department director position has been on the top of my prayer list. I was lifting it up to the Lord and was led by the Holy Spirit to call you.
• Would you prayerfully consider serving as director of our Babies Department? It takes a special loving person to make the parents feel comfortable leaving their infants while they attend Bible study and worship. You could have a meaningful ministry to these young families.
• You would be a great leader for our Fifth-Grade Department. The boys need an example of a man like you. Your name came to me as I was praying about this position. Would you pray about it and let’s talk more about it?

     The Interview

• Begin with prayer!
• Discuss your church’s vision or philosophy for childhood ministry.
• Provide a written copy of the Job Descriptions. Be straightforward about responsibilities and expectations for teachers. Honestly answer all questions.
• Explain the Screening Procedures and that all potential leaders are required to complete it for the safety of the children. Provide copies of the Volunteer Worker Application and Criminal Record Release forms.
• Share a copy of the curriculum materials.
• Pray together. Ask the prospective leader to continue to pray for God’s guidance.
• Set a time for follow-up.
• Follow up on previous visit.
• Accept the answer.

One of the basic needs we all have, especially in this day of “high tech” and “low touch,” is the need for security. Girls and boys need the security of knowing their teachers will be there each week. Our children need to know that, week after week their teachers will be listening, teaching, ministering, and loving in Jesus’ name.

Enlisting teachers is one of the most difficult tasks for leadership. But by planning for the future, praying for workers, and preparing members for service, we can make enlistment more than a task. Instead, we can make it a tool for a ministry that will make a difference in the lives of preschoolers and children for eternity.

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