De-Stress Before You Distress
Lesleigh Keetch
Less-Stressful
Recruiting
Keep these tips in mind to sidestep recruiting-related
stress.
- Make personal connections. Recruiting is often the
hardest part of ministry. Personal contact is your best avenue to
make connections with people that may lead to a fruitful crop of
volunteers. Much of your legwork will be done if you've taken the
time to build relationships with people before you tap them for
service.
- Make visibility a priority. Ministry fairs, bulletin
inserts, and good news announcements throughout the year keep your
ministry visible and familiar to your entire congregation. When
it's time to recruit, you'll have already advertised what your
ministry's about.
- Be choosey. Go for the best of the best when
recruiting. Steer clear of complainers who'll focus on the
negative. Gather volunteers who are fun, happy, and dedicated to
helping children grow close to Jesus.
Cash-Strapped Worry
Lines
Tight budgets and funding shortfalls can be a constant source of
concern in an arena where it seems there's never enough
construction paper or animal crackers. Use these tactics to conquer
cash issues.
- Lobby for your needs. "There's always something --
playground upgrades, equipment breaking," says Dawn Engleman, a
children's minister in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania. "If a surprise
arises, I write a proposal with cost estimates." Documentation is
often the best way to prove you need better funding. Write
professional proposals with cost estimates and solutions for
funding sources, such as fund-raising, offerings, and general
funds. Organized information helps those willing to donate time or
money feel confident that the task will be accomplished in an
effective way -- upping your chances for support.
- Shine your image. The more you demonstrate your
ministry's vital role in your church, the less likely you are to
suffer funding woes. Publicize successes. Keep your kids visible in
your church's mind.
