1. I am called to serve children by God – and my niche is tweens (4th, 5th, and 6th graders).
2. My wife is the Children’s Pastor, so I already had an “in”.
3. I was serving before I had this job, but the extra money is always nice.
4. It has taken me over 50 years to learn that the greatest good to myself is when I do good for others.

One of the big drawbacks to being on “staff” is that now when I walk up to a group of people at church, they instantly disburse because they feel I am “recruiting”. I have not yet figured out why people feel the “Children’s MInistry” is such a black hole that they will never get out from under. I asked God for years, “What would you have me do?” to which I always received the answer, “Moses was 80 before I told him.” This was not very satisfying, and at times was downright frustrating. Then I agreed (under much duress, mind you) to go with my wife to teach a 4th/5th grade class one Sunday morning. It was magic – these kids were sponges and I found myself fearful of what I would say because I could be impacting these kids for the rest of their lives. Then I heard Jesus tell me, “This is what I have for you – this is your lifework.” and I knew I had come home.

Not everyone has that type of epiphany. Not everyone has that type of revelation.

Okay, part of my “job” is to recruit – but these are “my” kids and I don’t want warm bodies to keep them occupied. I want people who are motivated and called to work with my kids before I turn them loose. So how do I find people who are dedicated to “service before self”? I am not sure I can. Thanks for the opportunity to vent.