Bert & Ernie Leaders have great chemistry, but forget they are part of a team.
Tony and Tina, (yes it's their real names....jk lol!) make a great team. They have not only come up with an amazing way to bring the Bible story to life, they are willing to get the costumes and props together and teach it on Wednesday night to the first graders. Tina is quick with Tony's one liners and bringing him back on track when his ADD kicks in during a lesson. Tony is willing to play the goof ball roll because Tina makes sure the kids know how it relates to their relationship with Jesus. When Tina struggles with the last point, Tony is there with just the right reminder to get her back on track.
Oh yeah, you know Tony and Tina, they are just so excited about serving together they could just pop! They have created scripts together or have co-lead the three year old room with absolute excellence, where ever they are, they are having a blast because their chemistry is just right!! The upside is.....they are a great example of how we can be joyful as we serve together, the downside is.....they are oblivious there are other team members around.
It's tough to help Bert & Ernie Leaders understand how they fit into the big picture. They are serving AND they play well with others, so what's the deal? When I first tried to explain what I was seeing, both of these volunteers were offended, which was the last thing I wanted to do! I made sure I shared with them my confidence in their giftedness, and then shared the vision of a team approach. They light came on for both of them, they could actually help other team members find more joy by including them as they served!! It may sound basic, but sometimes leaders are so focused on their serving spot they don't see the others around them.
1. Encourage them by expressing your confidence in their abilities.
2. Grow them by showing them the vision and telling them the role they play.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sesame Street Leadership #4 Oscar the Grouch Leaders
Oscar the Grouch leaders are constantly negative, but crave respect.
There are two different kinds of negative leaders, the leaders who are just negative to be negative and the leaders who are negative because they haven't had a strong leader speak into their lives.
"Molly" (no, it's not her real name) is a very passionate servant of God's littlest creations. She is a very good leader of the birth through age 3 age group, she is administrative, loves those babies, and truly loves her maker, but I had to release her for a couple of months. Why?!? Life was overwhelming and during the building process she became bitter, negative and felt no one knew how hard she worked. She was so negative, she was actually called the "nursery natzi." After talking to her, it was a mutual decision that she would take a 3 month break to sit at the feet of Jesus and refuel. When 3 months had passed, she actually saw the change in herself. She didn't even notice how negative she had become.
What are the two ways to help an "Oscar the Grouch" leader?
1. Encourage them by providing an avenue in which to speak.
2. Grow them by giving personal attention and confronting them about their critical spirit.
There are two different kinds of negative leaders, the leaders who are just negative to be negative and the leaders who are negative because they haven't had a strong leader speak into their lives.
"Molly" (no, it's not her real name) is a very passionate servant of God's littlest creations. She is a very good leader of the birth through age 3 age group, she is administrative, loves those babies, and truly loves her maker, but I had to release her for a couple of months. Why?!? Life was overwhelming and during the building process she became bitter, negative and felt no one knew how hard she worked. She was so negative, she was actually called the "nursery natzi." After talking to her, it was a mutual decision that she would take a 3 month break to sit at the feet of Jesus and refuel. When 3 months had passed, she actually saw the change in herself. She didn't even notice how negative she had become.
What are the two ways to help an "Oscar the Grouch" leader?
1. Encourage them by providing an avenue in which to speak.
2. Grow them by giving personal attention and confronting them about their critical spirit.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sesame Street Leadership #3 Elmo Leaders
Elmo leaders bring excitement, but forget about follow through.
I love what I would call an "Elmo" leader! They have more energy than you could every imagine! One of these leaders, who I will call Tom, because that's his name, is ready and willing to serve God by sharing the 9 million ideas on how to do __________, you fill in the blank! He cracks me up! He get's so excited about each idea, that it is easy for him to forget about the follow through. He's just ready to dream big about the next big thing.
1. Encourage them by listening to their ideas and dreams.
2. Grow them by creating a step by step game plan that takes them to the finish line and keeps them focused.
I love seeing the look on Tom's face when he follows an idea through to completion, it's almost as exciting as the idea itself!
I love what I would call an "Elmo" leader! They have more energy than you could every imagine! One of these leaders, who I will call Tom, because that's his name, is ready and willing to serve God by sharing the 9 million ideas on how to do __________, you fill in the blank! He cracks me up! He get's so excited about each idea, that it is easy for him to forget about the follow through. He's just ready to dream big about the next big thing.
1. Encourage them by listening to their ideas and dreams.
2. Grow them by creating a step by step game plan that takes them to the finish line and keeps them focused.
I love seeing the look on Tom's face when he follows an idea through to completion, it's almost as exciting as the idea itself!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Kazakhstan Mission Trip 2008
Hadassah's Hope is sponsoring a mission trip to Kazakshtan June 20-July 1, 2008. We will be working in the orphanages in Taraz and helping rebuild some of their bathrooms. The cost for the trip is $4200 which includes all your expenses. I can't wait to go on this life changing journey, prayerfully consider joining us!
If you want to be a part of the team, email elizabeth@hadassahshope.org.
If you want to be a part of the team, email elizabeth@hadassahshope.org.
Sesame Street Leadership #2 Count Von Count Leaders
Okay, start thinking about those you lead who focus on numbers.......got a name?........... I like to call these the "Count Von Count" leaders.
Count Von Count leaders are passionate, but must be reminded of the value of serving.
I almost lost one of these leaders. Mr. John is an amazing small group leader. He had been following the same group of boys for two years when a couple of kids decided they were not going to continue with the small group the next year. Mr. John wanted all 8 boys to return and felt totally deflated that his group would shrink, not grow the following year. What to do, what to do, he was so focused on the numbers he wasn't thinking about the value in serving even one child!
1. Encourage them by fanning the flame.
2. Grow them by showing them the fruit of their service.
I asked the parents of the remaining group members to send a note of what Mr. John has meant to their son. Those notes encouraged him as well as revealed to him the fruit of his service.
Count Von Count leaders are passionate, but must be reminded of the value of serving.
I almost lost one of these leaders. Mr. John is an amazing small group leader. He had been following the same group of boys for two years when a couple of kids decided they were not going to continue with the small group the next year. Mr. John wanted all 8 boys to return and felt totally deflated that his group would shrink, not grow the following year. What to do, what to do, he was so focused on the numbers he wasn't thinking about the value in serving even one child!
1. Encourage them by fanning the flame.
2. Grow them by showing them the fruit of their service.
I asked the parents of the remaining group members to send a note of what Mr. John has meant to their son. Those notes encouraged him as well as revealed to him the fruit of his service.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sesame Street Leadership #1 Big Bird Leaders
Big Bird Leaders have the ability to see the
vision, but need to be corralled.
I am sure you already have this person in mind. They are ready to do whatever it takes to see the vision to fruition. Almost to a fault, they need a leader who is willing to keep them corralled long enough to keep the vision on track. How do you do that?
1. Encourage them by constantly painting the picture.
2. Grow them by giving boundaries and emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
By doing these two things, you will have a leader who is ready, willing, and able to partner with you in order for God's will to be accomplished.
vision, but need to be corralled.
I am sure you already have this person in mind. They are ready to do whatever it takes to see the vision to fruition. Almost to a fault, they need a leader who is willing to keep them corralled long enough to keep the vision on track. How do you do that?
1. Encourage them by constantly painting the picture.
2. Grow them by giving boundaries and emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
By doing these two things, you will have a leader who is ready, willing, and able to partner with you in order for God's will to be accomplished.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
soak it up
Wow!! The first Liquid regional gathering is now done. What an awesome weekend, short but awesome! I am always amazed at all the ideas that are shared when leaders realize they are better together. As I listened during the small group sessions, I was blown away at the honesty, the willingness to share and the abilty for everyone in the room to accept there is no "expert" on children's ministry! What a beautiful thing!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sidney & Norman
I have 3 teenagers who need picked up after school at 3 different times. After picking up my youngest I parked the "bus" by the track and as we waited for my oldest to finish track practice I read "Sidney and Norman" outloud. It's an awesome little story about 2 pigs that God decided to have a little chat with. After I read the book, my daughter smiled from ear to ear. I think she identified with the pig who just needed to hear God say "I love you, I love you, I love you."
So often in childrens ministry children arrive with the same need. They need to hear that God loves them just the way He made them. Not if they sit quietly and listen to the story, or if they color within the lines, just the way they are. It's not only the children that arrive empty, volunteers need to know they are loved too! By God and by you, their leader. Something to look for this weekend.
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