Confessions of a Kids Pastor
1 Sep
Sometimes I hate how my volunteers are treated.
People talk to me differently than they do a volunteer… if they know who I am.
I’m no one of consequence. That’s certain. But my title (pastor) gives me clout that I find comical. So some people talk to me differently than those that serve in my ministry. However, in a large church teaming with people there are many times that I don’t really stand out. I look like every other volunteer serving at LifeChurch.tv.
I like that.
Last Sunday I jumped in to help in our baby room b/c there were some particularly unhappy little people in there. As the parents arrived to check out their babies I encountered a couple that had dropped off their child for the first time. As I handed their little girl back to them, mom questioned the pacifier I was holding.
“That’s not her pacifier. Was that in her mouth?!?”
You can imagine the thoughts racing through my mind as I retraced mental steps. Did I give this child the wrong pacifier!!
Dad interrupted,
“That’s her pacifier. I stuck it in her bag this morning.”
Feeling like I’d dodged a bullet, I was relieved. The mom looked at me and said,
“Well… you’re off the hook.”
**pause for effect**
The encounter helped me realize how our volunteers are treated sometimes.
I spent the better part of an hour carrying this fussy little munchkin around doing all I could to appease her so mom and dad could experience a life-changing message in Big Church. And I’m happy to do so. I tell our volunteers all the time…
We can do anything for an hour.
And believe you me… they do AN-Y-THING for an hour.
I guess I was a little disappointed by the interaction with this mom. The lack of appreciation. Not for me… the kids pastor… (pushaw – who cares). The lack of appreciation for someone she thought was a volunteer.
Church, please remember that ministries are supported by teams of volunteers that work 40+ hours in a J-O-B… just. like. you. Then they show up with a smile on their face ready to serve.
Say thank you.
S’all I ask.
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Do you ever have the parent deny that they spoke to your volunteer that way, when you confront them?
AMEN!!!
This one of my biggest frustrations with being a Children’s Pastor. Parents will do anything for teachers, PTA, coaches & sports, etc. But then they too often look at church like its a country club. Most parents don’t even know the volunteers name much less say thank you. One of my passions is to constantly get parents to appreciate and get to know the volunteers that serve them. I’m amazed how few people care. Thanks for the post.
That’s what i’m talking about Gina. I would love to hear you blog about what you say to parents like that. Great post. Getting in the trenches every once in a while always helps me with perspective.