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15 March 2011
R
eady To Quit Before Getting Started
I vividly remember my infamous first Sunday teaching in children’s church. I was 19 years old and I was serving at a church that was experiencing tremendous growth. The children’s pastor asked me to help in the preschool class which had eighty 3, 4, and 5-year olds in one big room.
Jeanne (the lead teacher) took one look at my fearful disposition and put me out of my misery with the statement, “Why don’t you just watch today?” I nodded my head in relief. After class Jeanne gave me an assignment, “I want you to watch this filmstrip.” This was in 1978, long before DVD’s.
“I like the art on this filmstrip, but I don’t like the story. I want you to rewrite the story and tell it next week.’” I was so excited. I had been in training for six weeks and this was my first time to get up in front of the kids. I began my preparations for the big day.
One week later I found myself stunned, standing at the front of the class, staring back at the faces of 78 distracted kids and two that were slightly interested. I totally lost the class. Not knowing how to stop and ask the kids to be quiet, I just kept telling my story and turning the knob on the filmstrip projector. Negative thoughts raced through my mind. “This is not your calling,” and “You stink at this.” I was only at the starting gate and I was already set to quit.
After class Jeanne approached me with genuine excitement and said, “Oh, you did so well!”
“I did?”
“Yes,” she said, “you told the story from your heart. We can really use you!”
I understand now that I didn’t do a great job telling my story that day. I know a lot more about storytelling today; however, if Jeanne had tried to bring a lot of correction I might have quit before I got started.
Jeanne saw something of value inside of me and knew that I needed encouragement on that first day. When you are training volunteers, catch them doing something right and praise them for it. You don't want them quitting before they get started. You are the key in their training and development.
The first two weeks are very important when training volunteers. Don’t just give them instruction and correction, but make sure you catch them doing something right and praise them for it.
Take time to pastor your leaders. They are worth the investment.
Next week I will share with you Step 1 in "Pastoring Your Volunteers."
