May Newsletter - Training

Teacher Training and Appreciation on a Budget

by Keith Johnson

Summer is a season in which church giving tends to decline, even though many ministries such as Vacation Bible School need resources. But equipping and showing appreciation for your workers are critical components of the volunteer leadership process. So let’s explore some creative ways to train and appreciate your team that don’t require a lot of money.

Local children’s ministry networks, Sunday school conventions, and Group’s own Children’s Ministry Magazine Live or Group Magazine Live are inexpensive ways to let someone else do your training.
Stash coffee and snacks (donated or brought by a rotation of your staff) in a “hidden” area near your children’s ministry. The workers will love being taken care of, and the added benefit of it being just for them creates a sense of camaraderie.
Visit a local children’s museum with your team. These are loved by children and frequented by schools for their innovative methods of helping children learn and value science education. So why not see what you can learn from them that you can apply to your ministry?
Invite a special guest to speak to your team, share a testimony, or even lead your team in worship and praise.
Hold a prayer time at the home of one of your team members.
Find donations for your team from local businesses. Check with local restaurants, movie theaters, or bakeries. They may be willing to donate gift certificates or even ongoing discounts for your workers.
Have children personalize a “thank you” T-shirt for their teacher. Parents could donate one shirt per classroom.
Write three to five quick thank you notes each week: Be specific and sincere!
Make a Certificate of Appreciation for each volunteer. Several usable samples are included in Church Volunteer Central’s Tools area here.
Include children’s positive comments about volunteers in your church newsletter.
Invite a professor or early-childhood expert from a community college in your area to speak to your team about the latest trends affecting children.

To create great teachers and keep them longer doesn’t require a lot of money, but it does require a legitimate and transparent personal touch.

Keith has been a children’s pastor for 20 years, most recently at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has served as the director of children’s ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, International Division.

This is an excerpt from a new article Keith wrote for Church Volunteer Central’s Idea Depot. For the complete story, including many more tips, click here.