Let’s imagine that you are the super volunteer at your church. You respond with an enthusiastic “Sign me up!” every time you read in the bulletin the church needs help. You are thrilled to be invited to the table where ministry designs are developed, plans for retreats are made, and you attend every training that is offered at church so you can be the best at whatever you do. You are living out the scriptural challenge of “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” with joy and energy.

Then, a staff position opens up. Part time, but a paid position nonetheless. You can’t even sleep for the excitement that you have been “tapped” to do the work of the Lord in the local church you love.

OR…you were already “on staff” in a successful fee-based ministry working with paid staff building community relationships inside and outside the church.  The church comes to you and offers you an opportunity to be on “real” church staff in a related area.  It appears to be a natural fit for the church and for you, so you now have a seat at the table where vision is cast, calendars are negotiated, and relationships with church staff move to a whole new level as you work with paid staff some of the time and with volunteer/unpaid staff the other part of the time.

Six months in the position, you have your office somewhat in order, you find yourself working with 3 separate calendars, and trying to balance living your life with living out your calling to professional ministry.

This is the story of so many called into professional ministry, but not seminary.

We eagerly bring our gifts and graces to the altar of the local church with enthusiasm and excitement.  But once we can no longer be the super volunteer, our skills-set may be missing a few key components that are necessary to make for a healthy ministry.  But where do you go?  Who do you ask?  How do we effectively transition from doing it all to empowering others, leading by example, and growing a great forgiveness tank for ourselves and others?  How do we become a part of the professional team of servants God has called to lead the local church we love?

This is just a small list of areas I wish I had known more about in the beginning of my call into healthy and effective professional ministry:

• leading a successful meeting
• recruiting volunteers
• conflict management
• how to negotiate to a YES! with trustees
• making a ministry budget
• how to interview
• how to fire/redirect a volunteer
• how to say “no”
• how to maintain healthy boundaries
• how to begin the Safe Sanctuary process when it makes all the sense in the world to me yet not to others
• how to market ministry inside and outside the church other than the bulletin
• how to write a magnificent newsletter article or a press release
• how to set calendaring priorities
• how to set up a networking group of folks outside my own house/church and making it a priority to build those relationships (did this anyway, but not sure I did it right)
• how to train volunteers, find volunteers, stop being the only volunteer
• how to soothe and heal the wounds made by stained glass
• how to make balloon animals
• how to talk about God that is in line with my denomination
• how to study the Bible on my own (because being on church staff means that worship is different now)
• how to build a team
• how to make the committee system work efficiently
• self-care (and I’m not talking about a facial)
• the structure of a healthy church
• how to interview for a church job
• how to prepare a resume’ for a professional ministry position
• how to interview a church
• how to strengthen the ideas and creative energies of others
• how not to be a horse’s patoot to my family when there is so much going on

What if… there was training offered, close-by (really, really, really close-by), inexpensively (really, really, really inexpensively), in bite-sized pieces, over a one or two year period of time, giving you access to people who are the best at what they do (which is what you do)?  Where your natural gifts and graces are influenced by people who have gone before you professionally and are spiritually healthy?  Where you don’t have to re-invent the wheel when it comes to building the best practices of professional ministry in YOU to bring back to your own church?  When you can take everything you learn over a couple of days and implement it on Monday morning? When this event is ongoing, meaning a Friday/Saturday in the fall and a Friday/Saturday in the spring, because we are in this over the long haul?

Would you go?  Would you send someone?  What else would you want to learn?  Or maybe better to ask, “What do you need to know RIGHT NOW?”

Thanksgiving weekend 2012 begins and ends in flannel pajamas with great kitchen smells and calendar newsletters of what’s coming up during Advent on every flat surface. Before I dive into the Advent season with deep-sea-scuba-gear, it’s good and healthy to give thanks for what has made 2012 rock for me this year:

10. Colored Printer Ink…eye-catching newsletters and notes in color are remembered best. Staples has a buy-one-get-one sale on printer ink once a year and I am there to stock up so it doesn’t kill the Office Supplies budget.

9. Children’s Council with a “Spirit of Yes…the faithful attendance and prayers of folks who have full calendars, sleepless nights, and willing hands of service for the kids we have and the kids we don’t yet have. They do for one what they would do for a hundred if we had them.  They believe that if we are faithful with a few, He will bless with many.  They are willing to try anything that furthers the cause of sharing the love of Jesus and they each serve as Champions in their areas of giftedness. I love them all.

8. Sabbath Days…Those of us called to professional ministry find that “what we do is who we are”.  Setting a day aside each week to read, pray, sleep, watch a corny movie, have lunch with a girlfriend keeps me sane and from turning into the “church lady”.  And when your church family honors your Sabbath day it makes this “acts of service is my love language” gal feel…well, loved.

7. Church Secretary…she knows where all the skeletons…er sacred cows are. And when she volunteers at all the major KidMin events she becomes the closest of friends. She gets my heart and knows what it takes to soften one.

6. A regular pay check…Mr. Bob says, “Thanks!” Every time the offering plates are passed by the saints of the local church, I remember that the only reason I am on staff is because of faithful and regular givers to the work of God in the local church.  Not a Sunday goes by when I am not reminded that these folks “choose” to give because they serve a generous God.

5. Mr. Bob…known as a “church-widower” has supported and been “my people” more often than many know. He believes in what we do and supports our church families with his prayers, his presence, his gifts, his service, and his witness. I am so proud to be his wife for the last 29 years.

4. KidMin Network Friends-in-the-Lord…You know who you are and you also know that I have very few real gifts except having access to very gifted friends.  From Children’s Pastors Conference and Confirmation to No Sweat Summer Camps and Messy Night, I can’t imagine sharing life and ministry without you. You truly are the best at what you do.  Thank you for letting me play in your sandbox…or ketchup.

3. iPhone…to email and communicate with fantastic leaders and young disciples makes me downright giddy. One of my tweeners got an email address for her 10th birthday…guess who made her “important announcements” list?

2. A generous and kind senior pastor…I have worked for the most amazing pastors who have taught me how to “do” ministry and not “turn into a ministry”. I have learned from every single one. I have been encouraged and forgiven. I have been protected and challenged.   I am still in professional ministry because I have been shown Christ and pointed to the scriptures.

1. Starbucks…This is where I have learned about the families I serve, the students I love, and laughed my head off with old and new ministry partners.  This is where I meet with the Saints Book Club for students 3rd-5th grade and where I have met with a precious prayer partner for almost 5 years.

Venti… hot tea… Vanilla Rooibus; please leave room for milk.

Would you add anything?

The following is the article written for the October Georgia Preschool Association Newsletter specifically prepared for weekday ministry to little people. Any opportunity I get to share Jesus with little people through taller people, I am all in. But I have used this tree and the box of goodies to dress it every year in ministry with children. I hope this provides a way to tell His story that is memorable, helpful, and sticky!

Telling the Christmas story with a small lighted tree in any classroom can take the whole season if you use the following fun ornaments by hot gluing a pipe cleaner or ornament hanger to these everyday items:

A white feather (Angel) Luke 1:28 “The angel went to her (Mary) and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! Do not be afraid, the Lord is with you.”

Drape a long pastel ribbon through the branches to represent Mary, a young girl about 14 years old, who may have worn a ribbon in her hair (Luke 1:26).

Attach a hanger to a wooden bench (found at Hobby Lobby doll house area) to represent Joseph, baby Jesus’ earth father who was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55).

Hot glue a hanger between 2 plastic coins to share that Mary & Joseph went to Bethlehem to sign up at the census to pay taxes (Luke 2:2).

Small hotel soap in a box/bag is hung as there was no room for them at the inn/hotel (Luke 2:7).

Take strips of white cloth that are tied into knots for a long garland to drape around the whole tree as swaddling clothes (Luke 2:7).

A candy cane can be used as a shepherd’s staff (Luke 2:8). Find a sheep/lamb that can be hung to speak of a shepherd’s job (Luke 2:8).

Another feather for when angel announced the birth of the baby to the shepherds, saying, “Do not be afraid!”(Luke 2:10).

This is my favorite part:

Plug in the lights (I use a foot switch) and the whole tree will light up like the sky above the shepherds when the host of heavenly angels filled the skies (Luke 2:13-14).

Make an aluminum foil star (this is a kid’s tree, remember) to place atop the tree (Matthew 2:1-2).

I found a great little teddy bear ornament to hang to represent Jesus as a child for when the wise men actually arrived at the house where the child and his mother lived (Matthew 2:11a).

Then add 3 gift boxes beneath tree with items of gold, and cotton balls or items that smell to represent frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

Be sure to add a beautiful cross on a ribbon, chain, rope to share that Jesus came to take the punishment for our sins when He grew up so we could all go to the big party in heaven (Matthew 28:5). This will certainly help with the transition in a few months of Jesus as a baby and then His resurrection in just a few short months.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas centers to share all month long:

Fine Motor – Punch holes around Christmas cards and tape a piece of ribbon to back and pull the ribbon through first hole and leave hanging for lacing; overturn a butter dish, spread minted-scented shaving cream frosting with a craft stick for a birthday cake for Jesus; children spoon cotton ball marshmallows across midline into plastic Christmas mugs filled with brown paper/cocoa for guests that come to visit during the holidays.

Language – Place Christmas items, even unbreakable nativity pieces, inside a stocking or oven mitt, and offer the chance to identify the item without looking.

Science – Tint water green or red with food coloring, and scent the water table with mint, cinnamon, or vanilla.

Art – Show children how to make baby footprints by placing the outside edge of their fist on a stamp pad, then carefully press them onto the paper along with fingerprints; make texture pictures by inviting students to glue stray or hay onto paper for prickly texture picture.

Indoor Play – tour the building for significant symbols of Christmas that you have discussed in class i.e. angels, candles, crèche, nativity, stars, bells, etc.; play “Looking for the Baby” by hiding a nativity baby Jesus from one of the nativity sets and let the students look to find the figure and use spatial vocabulary to tell where it is.

Pre-Math – Tape a piece of blue painters tape along the floor and invite students to make ABAB patterns with Christmas candy, wrapping bows, stars, etc.

Blocks – Turn your block area into a wrapping station with multiple rolls of tape from the Dollar store and pre-cut pieces of wrapping paper and the students wrap the blocks; sand paper or sanding blocks make for great conversation as students sand the rough edges of wood scraps like a carpenter.

Jesus came to save the lost, so we can go to the big party in Heaven. And who doesn’t want to go to a big party? And He’s coming back! Wouldn’t it be cool if He chose to come back during the Advent/Christmas season, the season when the whole world celebrates His coming?

The Second Sunday in each month is one of my favorites. The “game day” atmosphere of Sunday worship, Sunday School (we call it GPS), and Children’s Church gets my blood pumping every week. But on the Second Sunday, we also offer CLUB345 for our 3rd-5th graders from 5-7pm AND we offer a Second Sunday Training Event from 2-4pm.

The purpose of the Second Sunday Training is to offer a regular learning opportunity to the congregation that builds relationships and offers information that can be used on Monday. The focus audience may differ from month to month, but it does give folks a chance to interact and build relationships around a skill.

Attendance has ranged from 2 to 25, and I’m good with that. We have grown to be able to offer free childcare which now allows couples to attend.

In the last 18 months we have offered the following trainings:

• CPR and First Aid Certification (offered each September) for ages 14 through adult led by First Response Certified Trainer…this is the only one we charge for, but it is the fee assessed the Trainer and she/he is paid directly by the participant at the event.

• Special Season (Advent) curriculum trainings for senior youth and adult leaders led by KidMin Director.

• Introduce New Student Curriculum for adult KidMin leaders led by KidMin Director

• Mr. Potato Head Teaches about the Body of Christ for youth and adult leaders of Children led by a guest KidMin Director

• Journaling for ages 14 through adult led by a guest UMC pastor

• Volunteer Appreciation Event for youth and adult leaders led by KidMin Director

• Helping Your Child Transition to Youth Group for parents co-led by Directors of KidMin and Youth

• How to Share the Gospel with a Child for adults led by Director of KidMin

• Safe Sanctuary for ages 16 and above led by North Georgia UMC Conference Safe Sanctuary Trainer

• Credit Unions: Setting and Keeping Financial Goals for 4th grade through adults led by a representative of the Georgia/Florida UMC Credit Union…this was also free, but our guy likes coffee, so a Starbucks giftcard is an appreciated thank-you gesture.

• How to Share Your Faith for Youth led by Youth Director

What other ideas can you come up with to offer training for parents, families, students, students?