GinaMcClain.com

I would never…

I’m not one to use that phrase.  Maybe there was a time in my life when I would but not in the past few decades.  I think because I understand my own fallibility.  I understand that I’m only a few bad choices away from losing everything I have… a great marriage, great job, great ministry.

I was in a conversation recently about accountability.  I shared that one of the most valuable things I gained from my season at LifeChurch.tv was the constant emphasis on genuine accountability.  Someone willing to ask you the hard questions expecting you to respond and not skirt.  Someone willing to go to battle spiritually and fight on your behalf in prayer.

Let’s be real.  It is no longer unusual to hear about a ministry leader fallen from grace.  Some of it hits the news.  Some of it doesn’t.  And it would be easy to look at those situations and say, “I would never do that.”  Really?  I wonder how many of those that have fallen said the same thing at one point in time.

I’ve packed on a solid 5 pounds since my move to Knoxville, TN.  It didn’t happen because I chose to eat too much one night.  I happened because of a series of choices made consistently that lead to weight gain.  Not exercising, compromising on the types of food I’m eating, eating when I’m not hungry, etc, etc.  Poor choices.

I would argue that each circumstance that we see where someone has made a ministry-fatal mistake can be attributed not to a single poor choice, but a series of poor choices over time.  And when you don’t have someone that you can be gut-level transparent with, then you put yourself in a risky place.  As Craig Groeschel puts it, “You’re a sitting duck.”

I think it’s a dangerous thing to say, “I would never…”.  Instead I say, “God, show me where I’m vulnerable.”   Then I have to be willing to put the right things in place to address the vulnerability.  We’re human.  We’re broken.  And we’re in desperate need of a Savior to bring light and healing to all areas of our lives.

Carey Nieuwhof writes a great post on the 4 different paths a leader can take… one of which is moral failure.  Take a look and see what he has to say.

Don’t allow the enemy opportunity.  Make sure you have the anchors in place so that your story is one of soaring and not falling.

Searching for volunteers?

Volunteer recruiting is a hot topic in the kidmin world.  Why?

Because it’s how we do business.  We wouldn’t have a ministry if we didn’t have volunteers.

Volunteer recruiting is a constant in the kidmin life and learning how to do it better always ranks high on my list.  In the Sept/Oct issue of Children’s Ministry Magazine (henceforth known as CM Mag) Jennifer Buell contributes a conversation with veteran recruiters.  It was interesting to hear their varied perspectives.

I was particularly intrigued by Susan Grover because of the following comments:

Q:  What’s been your biggest obstacle to finding good people to do great things in your ministry?

A:  …Ministering to kids is an opportunity.  That’s the critical distinction.  I have never begged, given a guilt trip, or “recruited” one single person.  But, I have invited many to participate in what God is doing.  Right now, in a church of thousands and with 700 kids, I have a waiting list of people who are begging me to let them teach kids God’s Word.

Q:  What’s your best tip for finding the right people to volunteer?

A:  Pray for God to give you the eyes to see who he wants you to place in ministry.  Look around and see those who are faithful, those who speak highly and enthusiastically of the ministry, those who have personally benefited from serving, those who share stories with you about how their child learned this or that from the lesson.  That’s who you want to partner with you in ministry with kids.

I love Susan’s perspective on recruiting.  I love her unwillingness to compromise on who she will bring in to serve within children’s ministry.  Based upon her comments I would suggest she sets the bar high.  And volunteers are willing to do what it takes to clear it.

This is only a taste of the conversation located on pages 110 – 115.  You’ll want to grab your copy and read for yourself.

In my week-long review of the September/October edition of Children’s Ministry Magazine, here’s the second article that drew me in.  CM Mag is celebrating their 20 year anniversary.  So, they took a look back and highlighted the top 20 leaders that have influenced children’s ministry over the past 2 decades.  Reading through the article it’s a kidmin “Who’s Who”.

Karl Bastian, Sylvia Foth, Dick Gruber, Dale Hudson, Reggie Joiner, Craig Jutila, Sue Miller, Jim Wideman, Chris Yount Jones… the list continues.

I’ve attended ministry conferences, read books/articles and listened to podcasts from several of these leaders as they shaped the way I viewed my ministry over the past several years.  I can honestly say I am the leader I am today as a result of their willingness to share what God was doing in their ministry.

Yet I would guess that many of them would say they never got into ministry with the intent of  making a list of 20 Top Influencers.  I think they would say they got into ministry because they love Jesus, they love kids, and they’re crazy enough to believe that God would do something significant through them.   Their longevity in ministry is a testimony in and of itself.  Their influence has a ripple effect we won’t see the end of for years to come.

Knowing the reality of ministry, the challenges of keeping focus and the moments I thought I’d rather flip hamburgers than continue on this path… I’m grateful for how these leaders indirectly pour into me.  Their investment goes a long way toward helping others to thrive in ministry for 20 years and beyond.