As we work to empower our volunteers to walk in their roles, it’s important that we focus on encouraging them in who God is and what He has for them. We not only want to empower our volunteers in the practical work set before them, but mostly, we want to empower our volunteers in their personal relationships with God. It is from that relationship that they will inspire and teach the children in our ministries.
We know the importance of it. It is from these rhythms that the Holy Spirit leads us.
But, how can we train our volunteers with a focus on the wonder of God? How can we create space and rhythms for them to wonder at God and His love for them? How can we help them in this?
This article will give you 4 rhythms to help your volunteers in this (and maybe even yourself). And if you want to read further on this, you can read the original Ministry Spark article here.
- Share Stories
- Onboard Intentionally
- Explore Spiritual Gifts
- Model Wonder
Share Stories
Story is powerful. Imagine if we used it as a way to train our volunteers to understand our purpose together as a team. How powerful would that be?
These moments help us acknowledge that God’s story changes every piece of our own.
Maybe you encourage volunteers to share their faith journey stories with one another. Maybe you encourage them to talk about how they’ve seen God in the simple moments of the day … or in the big moments too.
As your team gets in a rhythm of sharing, your community will awe in God’s wonder together. They will see how time and time again He has shown up in faithful ways, for each one in your community. These moments help us acknowledge that God’s story changes every piece of our own.
I’ve set this up as such a habit in my ministry that volunteers now come prepared to share and they look for God as they serve. Declaring truth is powerful.
Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.
Onboard Intentionally
As we build on story, imagine if we invited new volunteers to join a story with a greater purpose. If we want God’s wonder to be central, them we must set this tone when onboarding.
Create conversation in your onboarding process and share the stories we previously spoke about sharing, especially those that have taken place within your ministry.
Check out the questions here, as you support these training conversations. This is all part of getting the whole church on board with the faith formation of kids.
When volunteers find themselves doing what they are uniquely gifted for, the only response is to worship God for the ways they have been created in His image.
Explore Spiritual Gifts
When volunteers know their gifts and when you know your volunteer’s gifts, you can best put them where they will flourish. There are tools online that can help you do this.
When your volunteers understand their gifts, they can more naturally thrive in what God wants to use them for … what He has designed them for. These rhythms working together allows them to grow in wonder as God uses them in His Story.
When volunteers find themselves doing what they are uniquely gifted for, the only response is to worship God for the ways they have been created in His image.
Model Wonder
If we want to create a culture that is wonder filled, we must practice this as leaders. Practicing moments of God-focused wonder involves stillness, presence, and taking our focus away from ourselves. These are all counter-cultural concepts, which means that in order to walk in a wonder-filled culture, strong leadership is needed.
Make space to reflect, even if it is for 10 minutes after the weekend service. Reflect on what God is doing. Reflect on your heart and if/how you made space for Him to do the things that only He can.
Celebrate the answered prayers, worship, questions, and community you’ve been given.
In all of these things, God is pursuing your faith community. And He is using you and your volunteers in His Story. As you train volunteers to focus on God’s wonder, may you grow in trust and rest in your Father who is always working for you and for the kids you lead.
This article originally appeared on Ministry Spark. Read the full article here.
Download What If We’re Failing Kids at Faith Formation? And How Not To
This faith formation guide shares our desire to invite kids, parents, and volunteers into a Gospel-centered journey of curiosity, belief, faith, and identity.
