I cannot begin to describe to you the feeling I get when I can help influence someone else. And then I got to thinking that we all have the ability to influence others in our ministries. We can actually make an impact on someone else’s ministry to children! You may never know all of the amazing lives that have been changed because you, encouraged, invested or resourced another KidMin Leader. Here are a few initiatives to consider:
- Encourage someone to pursue their ideas – help them with ideas that will get them to at least start taking steps toward their dream.
- Take someone out to lunch and get them talking – sometimes when people are able to externalize their internal ideas, it charges them up to actually go and do it!
- Invest tangible resources. Learn to pick up on clues of what someone else really needs to start a project, a new program or ministry within the current structure. Do you have the resource(s) that would equip that ministry that you could part with?
- Invest Finances – when it’s appropriate… In other words: when it’s a reputable ministry that has already done some respectable things and there is a way to give to that person, ministry or organization… invest. I shouldn’t have to give you a reason.
- Listen to that newbie in KidMin or the KidMin at the smaller church. There may be a great idea they are already implementing at their own church that you could/should be using. Ask their permission to use their ideas. There’s no better feeling when the “perceived veteran” wants to use your ideas.
- Give gifts. Remember, it’s not just the gift but how it’s presented. Some people will see those mementos and be reminded that someone out there is pulling for them.
- Make a phone call just to check up on someone and find out what you can do to help them or at least pray with them. I have had an unstructured, unadvertised mentoring/coaching program for years by just doing that. Want me to coach mentor you? Then e-mail me so we can trade phone numbers or skype names.
- Network others together for their sake as well as yours. Some of the newbies may not be as connected as you in your community. Get a few of you together for coffee or lunch and watch the relational stuff happen.
By making these small deposits into someone else, you broaden your ability to make an impact on more people. One day you will share in the reward of the people you’ve made an investment in. Remember, the Word says that the share or reward of the man who stays with the supplies is to be the same as the man who leaves to go to battle.
Be Blessed!
