Leading and Recruiting for Eternal Kingdom Work

21 de junio de 2023 Jill Nelson

I can still remember cringing when I heard this announcement from the pulpit one Sunday morning long ago: We need more workers for children’s Sunday school. If you’re interested, there is a table in the hallway where you can sign up to help. Is this all there is to children’s ministry? Not very appealing.

But now imagine an announcement prefaced like this instead:

[Sunday School volunteers have] you ever thought of yourselves as a squadron of God’s commandos, weekly storming Satan’s bastion to liberate his hostages? … When you love your students and teach them truth, you are God’s gentle storm troopers! It is truth taught in love that batters down the walls of Satan’s prison. He cannot hold out against the truth.

O, never, never underestimate the power of truth. We handle glorious things every Sunday. We are in a great battle for liberation. Do not be deceived that you hear no bombshells. Do not be discouraged that your medals are few. The Last Day will reveal that the greatest centers of power and of lasting liberation were not in Washington or London or Bonn or Geneva, but in classrooms where truth was taught and young people were “freed from the snare of the devil.” This is no exaggeration. It is absolutely true.

Which kind of recruitment summons would carry more sway? Which would inspire someone to invest in the discipleship of children on Sunday mornings? Which challenges adults to see the serious danger of unbelief in the lives of children and the necessity for gospel proclamation? Which calls and motivates a person to great, eternal kingdom work?

One of the best ways for pastors and ministry leaders to recruit a team of dedicated, Jesus-loving, God-honoring volunteers is to first inspire them with a big vision for what they are doing and why they are doing it. Give them big reasons why investing in the discipleship of children is so important. After that, carefully equip, train, and launch them into their various roles.

We would love to assist you in doing the above in your own local church. Here are some resources we recommend for inspiring volunteers by recruiting them to a grand and glorious vision.

Read and pass along to key leaders and volunteers: Zealous - 7 Commitments for the Discipleship of the Next Generations (David Michael)
Pass along to parents and potential volunteers the 4 short videos: Foundations for God-Centered Children's Ministry
Share one or more of the following “vision casting” messages:

Let them Bless His Holy Name Forever – Our Eternal Hope for the Next Generations (David Michael)
Declaring the Whole Counsel of God to the Next Generation (Mark Vroegop)
One Generation Shall Praise Your Works to Another (John Piper)

Read Recruiting, Equipping, and Retaining Volunteers from our Core Training Series

These are just a few tools we think you will find helpful to get started. As an added benefit to Truth78+ subscribers, you can now schedule a personal consultation here.

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