Category: KidMin Volunteers

Stop Recruiting [Volunteers], Start Retaining [Volunteers]

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

stop recruiting start retaining

Last month at Group’s KidMin Conference, I shared a ministry challenge and a ministry joy at the opening General Session.  This is what I said:

“I’ve been chosen by God to not recruit volunteers to ‘fill holes’ (which is a pet peeve phrase of mine).  I’ve been chosen by God to recruit volunteers to a vision, shepherd them, train them, equip them to serve, connect them with other volunteers and place them in their volunteer sweet spot so that they serve with us for the long haul.”

Recruiting volunteers ranks near the top of the list of challenges for ministry leaders.  It really doesn’t matter whether your church is large or small; no church is immune.  You rarely hear someone say, “I don’t need anymore volunteers.”

Yesterday I attended a local networking event here in Baltimore for kidmin leaders.  The topic: Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining.  The speaker was Christine Kreisher, who serves as the Family and Connections Pastor at Glad Tidings Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Here are the notes, 4 things to give volunteers so that they stay around for the long haul:

SIGNIFICANCE

“People don’t need another job; they need, and crave, purpose and meaning.” – CK

Leaders:  Create a FUN and meaningful experience where volunteers feel that what they do matters.

Volunteers will say:  “I love this!” or “I’m making a difference.”

Best Practices:

  • Connect the vision
  • Find the fit
  • Improve the process
  • Fill their bucket

SUPPORT

“It’s the lack of communication and preparation that kills volunteerism.” – Dr. Darren Kizer

“People matter to God, so they matter to us.” – Nelson Searcy

Leaders:  Ensure that every volunteer has the necessary information, resources, & encouragement to fulfill their role in ministry.

Volunteers will say:  “I have what I need.” or “I feel valued.”

Best Practices:

  • Communicate early and often
  • Huddle up
  • Train for success
  • Organize volunteer teams

COMMUNITY

“God created us with a hunger for relationship – for relationship with Him and with our fellow people.  At our very core, we are relational beings…The soul cannot prosper without being connected to others..” – Henry Cloud

Leaders:  Establish a culture where volunteers feel connected and new friendships can be developed.

Volunteers will say:  “I belong here.” or “I’ve got friends here.”

Best Practices:

  • Friendship-friendly programming
  • Make it fun
  • Plan connections
  • Get it on the calendar
  • Embrace the mess!

EMPOWERMENT

“The local church should be one of the greatest leadership development agencies on the planet because Jesus was a great leader and developer of leaders.  The church does not have a leadership problem…there are plenty of leaders…the church has a leadership development problem.” – Mac Lake

Leaders:  Invest your time and resources to empower people to develop as a leader.

Volunteers will say:  “I’m trusted and have opportunities to develop into a better leader.”

Best Practices:

  • Replace yourself
  • Set them free
  • Delegate vs dump
  • Make it helpful

Keep the conversation going!  What strategies have you seen that work in retaining volunteers?  Let me know by leaving a comment below!

Two New & Exciting Projects!

Kathie Phillips 10 Comments

I am really bad at keeping a secret!  Really!  When I receive good news, I want to share it with EVERYONE!  For the past several months, I have had two big secrets that I wanted to desperately share with all of you but couldn’t until now.  Let me fill you in:

PROJECT #1

Earlier this year, I was asked to be part of Kidology‘s new e-book resource for Children’s Ministry leaders and volunteers.  Bright Ideas for Children’s Ministry – Volume 1 is a collection of highly practical “bright ideas” that you can immediately implement in your ministry.  Who doesn’t love practical, easily implemented ideas from fellow Children’s Ministry leaders?!  You’ll find ideas for object lessons, games, crafts, leadership, technology, missions and so much more – it’ll become a trusted go-to resource.

Bright Ideas for Children’s Ministry – Volume 1 is regularly priced at $16.99.  If you are a Kidology Premium Member, the regular price is $14.99.  But I have more good news – my friends at Kidology have allowed me to offer a special deal for my blog readers.  Simply click here to order and enter promo code “SAVE5KP” when you check out – you’ll save $5!  Check it out and let me know what you think!

PROJECT #2

childrensminmag2

I am also excited to share that I will be Children’s Ministry Magazine’s newest columnist, beginning with the January/February 2015 issue!  In each issue, I will share ideas specifically for younger elementary children (ages 6-9).  This is new territory for me but I am excited to venture into this project.  The folks at Group (who publishes the magazine) have been so kind to me – I’m really looking forward to working with them. 🙂

Whew–I feel so much better now that the secrets are out of the bag!  God is doing some pretty amazing things in my life and I’m sure you have some awesome things going on with you too!

Keep the conversation going!  Tell me what’s going new in your neck of the woods.  What are you working on?

KidMin Conference – Workshop Notes

Kathie Phillips 3 Comments

For the past week, I have posted information about preparing for Group’s KidMin Conference and my experiences as a result of the conference (search the blog for related posts).  Today, I thought I’d share notes from the two workshops that I took at the conference.

WORKSHOP #1:  “Bringing the Bible to Life” by David Jennings

Workshop Description:  Discover more than 50 practical, NEW ideas you can take home and use right away in your ministry.  You’ll also learn various “smarts” that aim to help kids experience the Bible in a surprising and personally specific way.

Workshop Content:

  • Most of our teaching is “word smart”, meaning the teacher does most of the talking.
  • Usually we teach in the way we learn best.  However, kids learn best when they use their preferred way to learn.
  • Make learning more kid-focused than teacher-focused.

The first activity we did was to complete a “Got Smarts?” quiz to determine our own preferred way of learning.  I scored highest in “Self Smart”, meaning I:  understand myself; am reflective, meditative and self-motivated; desire time alone; am aware of my own feelings and my own strengths and weaknesses.

Then we moved into talking about 8 multiple intelligences that we discussed in detail.

**Download my notes here.

**Download additional resources here.

 

WORKSHOP #2:  “Teach Kids to Pray” by Mary Sims

Workshop Description:  Maximize prayer in fresh and exciting new ways while you teach kids to pray at different ages.  Experience multiple prayer styles, from The Lord’s Prayer to using music and art to pray.  Take home LOTS of creative strategies to your children’s ministry.

Workshop Content:

  • Mary shared personal stories of ways she’s incorporated a variety of prayer methods in her ministry.  I love personal stories!
  • She had a good balance of lecture time and interactive time around the tables.  One activity we did was to pray in color (my second time at the conference).  Another activity included a bowl of ordinary objects (such as bandages, slinkies, plastic rings, etc.) and we told how we would use that object to teach children about prayer.  That was pretty cool – I love really practical stuff!

**Download the workshop notes here.

Keep the conversation going!  How could you implement these ideas into your ministry?  Share below!

 

Group KidMin Conference – During-the-Conference FAQ’s and Tips

Kathie Phillips

2014 Group KidMin Conference

Yesterday I posted pre-conference FAQ’s and tips for Group’s upcoming KidMin Conference.  You can find that post here.

Today I thought I’d post a few of the most frequently asked during-the-conference questions along with my own personal tips:

FAQ’s

1. What food options are available?  There are a number of on-site and off-site food options.  Click here for more details.  You can also download coupons for the Convention Center’s food court here.

2. Where can I park?  Click here for a map to show you parking that is available at the Hyatt Regency and Convention Center.

3.  Is there a shuttle from the Columbus airport to the hotel?  Yes.  KidMin has negotiated a special rate with Columbus Coach for arrival and departure ground transportation to the KidMin conference hotels: $10.00 each way.  Those with reservations will be allowed to board the shuttle first. Shuttle rides will be available for cash purchase at the airport as well.  Click here for more details.

My Personal During-the-Conference Tips

  • If you are unable to attend a training session that you think would be beneficial to you or your ministry, purchase audio recordings.  Audio recordings of nearly all the training sessions will be available to conference attendees so that you can continue the learning at home. The only sessions we often do not record are pre-conference sessions, ministry conversations, those focused on technology, those sessions involve a lot of visual teaching and don’t translate well to an audio recording. General sessions will be available for purchase on DVD for all keynote speakers who have released recording rights.
  • Arrive to the general sessions early.  You’ll find freebies and fun waiting for you.
  • Again, make arrangements to meet up for coffee with your fellow kidmin’ers.  Allow some flexibility but it doesn’t hurt to pre-arrange meals or coffee with friends.
  • Check out the book and resource area.  An assortment of books, resources and vendors will be available.  Take time to walk through and pick up a few things.  Many vendors have freebies for you just for stopping by.
  • Relax on an over-sized Xorbee bean bag chair.  They will set up around the conference hotel for you to read, relax or catch up with friends.
  • Be flexible to get what you need: rest, connection/networking, and time to process.  The weekend is jam-packed with activity, so it’s important to move at your own pace and take the time to do what you feel is best for you.  Pray and ask the Lord for guidance.

Come back Monday for more tips!

**A special thank-you goes out to Rochelle Dorsey & John Guerra for allowing me the opportunity to post on Group’s behalf.

Keep the conversation going!  Check out what’s being said about the KidMin Conference on Facebook here and here & on Twitter here.   Use hashtag #kidmin14.