More Than “Just a Volunteer”
Today is an important day for Kidmin1124, and I felt the pressure to come up with a first post befitting the vision of this site. I thought about explaining what Kidmin1124 was all about or why we chose that name, but that is all included in the About Page. I thought about telling you a little bit more about me, but then I didn’t want the very first post to be all about me, and that stuff is on the Authors Page anyhow. So, I decided the only appropriate thing to do would be to ask God what he wanted me to write about, and he reminded me of something that God has laid on my heart recently and prompted me to share it.
A while back, I made myself a promise. I resolved that I would no longer refer to myself as “just a volunteer” when people asked me what my role was in Children’s Ministry. You see, when people ask me what I do, I don’t answer “I’m an accountant.” First of all, that sounds really boring. Even as I write, I struggle to keep my eyes open. Secondly, whenever I do tell people that they ask for help with their taxes. I don’t like taxes. I don’t do taxes. I usually struggle to get my own taxes done on time. No, when people ask me what I do, I tell them, “I work with children.” If they ask how or what it is I do with children, that opens the door for me to talk to them about my passion for children’s ministry. But, the truth of the matter is, I am a volunteer. I am not a full-time Children’s Pastor or Children’s Ministry Director. We have a wonderful woman at our church who fills that role. That is not what God has called me to do, at least not yet. He may at some point in the future call me in to it, but for now I volunteer in my church’s children’s ministry. I teach a large group of kids, I lead a small groups, I run games, I work in VBS, and I do whatever else I can to help.
For a long time, this just didn’t seem like enough to me. When I decided to start blogging, I naturally started writing about the things that I liked to talk about. Those were God, my family and children’s ministry. Then something funny and quite unexpected happened. People started to respond. People started to ask me questions about children’s ministry – can you imagine? I started to have conversations with people about children’s ministry. People started to send me children’s ministry products to review for the blog. I enjoyed, and still enjoy, every moment of it. There was, however, a part of me that felt a little bit like an imposter. Who was I to talk about children’s ministry? My experiences paled in comparison to the people I was talking to, collaborating with, and learning from who oversee what seems like an entire empire of children’s ministries. What could I offer to these people? What could I possibly have to say that would help, inspire or guide those who do so much more than me when in comes to children’s ministry? After all, I was “just a volunteer.”
Then, in a moment of clarity that could only have come from God, I realized/remembered something. The way we are, and what we do, is no mistake. God made us exactly the way he wants us, and he put us exactly where we are supposed to be. When I started writing and blogging, I did not do it to influence other people. I did it to record my thoughts. God prompted me to put myself out there. I didn’t know why at the time, but figured being obedient to God is a good thing and maybe there was an outside chance that out of 7 billion people on this planet that someone might find what I was writing to be useful. My job was to put it out there and let God use it however he sees fit. Whether I am a volunteer or a guru does not matter to God.
So, I am a volunteer, but I am not JUST a volunteer. God has graced me with a love for his children and a passion to share his love with them. He has blessed me with an all consuming desire to see kids enter into his kingdom and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He has tasked me with the responsibility and joy of helping kids to develop a biblical worldview. That is nothing to feel inadequate about. It is an awesome opportunity and responsibility to be a part of God’s plan, and I am where God has put me. I am working for my Heavenly Father who gives me every good thing. I am a servant of God, and that makes me a whole lot more than “just a volunteer.”
Great first post. my favorite line, “I am a servant of God, and that makes me a whole lot more than “just a volunteer.” I look forward to reading more from your blog.
John,
Thanks for your comment. I will be in touch with you shortly.
Wayne, well done. Keep up the great work. I look forward to learning from you and your colleagues in the days to come.
Glen,
I hope that we can offer something on Kidmin1124 that will be a blessing to those who work with kids. Thanks for your support.
Great post. So excited about learning with you and from you and your team. Excited about you new blog. Looking forward to hanging with you @ the cmx
Jim,
Thank you. As always, your encouragement means a lot to me! I’m looking forward to finally meeting you at the CM Expo. Take care!
I loved this Wayne. May I have your permission to post this at my church.
I think it would really cheer most of our teachers, and perhaps spur some of the ones who don’t teach to step up where needed.
I have always felt it was a blessing to be able to teach children and really appreciated your message.
Susie,
Feel free to use it however you would like. I’m glad you enjoyed the article, and if you can use it to encourage others to experience that blessing that is teaching children about God then I am all for it! Let me know how it goes.
Wayne I absolutely love this post!
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Wayne,
It is so absolutely true that God has a purpose for every little thing that happens in our lives. It has been an amazing walk with Him. Each step has taught me something new to bring me to where I am today. May I use it all to His glory.
You are walking with Him and bringing Him glory.
God bless
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Thanks so much wayne, I am currently employed as an engineer though also the kids ministry admin of our church. your blog really touch a chord in my heart and seems that you have written down how i felt. It is truly enlightening to see that there are others out there in the same position as i am. God bless you!
Wayne – loved the post. “More than just” is our theme for our volunteers this year and I found your post as I was googling about that topic. I plan to share your story at our kickoff dinner. Thanks for being more than just!