water the camels too

I just had the privilege of hanging out with a growing church in Bellingham, Washington. Great volunteers committed to reaching Whatcom county for Jesus. As I got to know this team, it was apparent each area (nursery team, preschool team, elementary team, midweek team) cared about each other, but they weren't necessarily caring for each other.

We chatted a lot about a unified approach to ministry as well as going the extra mile for each other regardless if they served on the weekend or during the week. The story of Abraham's servant finding Isaac's wife really stood out.

12 Then he prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
15 Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. 16 The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.
17 The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give me a little water from your jar."
18 "Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
19 After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking."

What if we all took that approach in children's ministry? What if we decided to really communicate with each other? Sometimes when we try to talk to each other about what is happening it's the "just tell me what I need to know so I can go," kind of communication, we do just what we need to do, but we don’t take the time to truly understand each other.
We need to find a way to get into each others circles, really try to understand what's happening in each area and find a way to water the camels too. We are all on the same team serving the same God. It's time to find a way each and every day to go the extra mile, with our teams and with the children we serve. People have good intentions, but it's time to do the unexpected, show up, care about each other....."water the camels too!"

Sesame Street Leadership #8 Snuffleupagus Leaders

Snuffleupagus Leaders are extremely loyal,
but are afraid to take risks.

Remember snuffy? He would appear sporadically and normally to Big Bird. In fact some people didn't even believe snuffy existed, but he did! You know who these people are! They want to serve but are so afraid of making a mistake they just don't. They don't want to disappoint anyone, especially the "leader." Laura was my snuffy leader. She was willing to do whatever it took to make sure children have every opportunity to cross the line of faith, she just wanted to make sure she didn't do something wrong or disappoint her leader. I was happy to walk through the process with her.

1. Encourage them by building a relationship and helping them identify their fears.
2. Grow them by walking through a project together to build confidence.

I answered every question she had and helped her understand she does not have to worry about how I felt, she was serving Jesus, not me or any other leader. She is one of the most loyal, committed, and loving volunteers I have ever had the privilege of serving with!

Sesame Street Leadership #7 Cookie Monster Leaders

Cookie Monster Leaders are high capacity leaders, but get bored easily.

"If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance." Mark 8:3a NAS

Remember the story of the loaves and the fishes? People who wanted to know more came from all over and Jesus made sure they were fed. This makes me think of those high capacity leaders. They may not walk for days or even a mile for that matter, but they are willing to get to your ministry location and serve God. They want to take on the tasks that seem overwhelming to others, and they want one right after another!

High capacity, aka Cookie Monster leaders do not want you to watch over their shoulder either, they want to be empowered to do what you have asked them to do, just make sure the boundaries are set.

One of the most high capacity leaders I have ever met loves a good challenge but she always makes sure she's not a maverick. She wants to know the boundaries, be set free, finish the task and arrive back for more! As leaders we need to be prepared for the next task for these leaders!

Cookie monster need food! Mmmmm Mmmm more cookies!!!

1. Encourage them by providing challenging tasks.
2. Grow them by giving feedback and empowering them to complete the task.

Sesame Street Leadership #6 Global Grover Leaders

Global Grover leaders are incredibly friendly, but lack organization.

Can you say check in? How about greeter? Nothing like the most friendly volunteers in the whole wide world!! I love Becky, she is the sweetest person I have ever met. Becky started out behind the scenes setting up rooms and she just wilted. This was not her sweet spot, Becky loves people! In fact, her love for people can be seen for miles! It was time for Becky to serve in a social setting. She started greeting and checking in families as they arrived for ministry. She made sure everyone who arrived knew where they were going and that we are so excited to have the opportunity to serve their family. Sometimes though, she gets caught up in the conversation part of her service and priorities go out the window.

1. Encourage them by providing a social setting in which to serve.
2. Grow them by listing priorities and setting goals.

It was so rewarding to help Becky organize her check in routine. She is such an awesome example of a servant finding pure joy as she serves her maker!!