I am an advocate of being sure that you don’t take on any ministry to “just fill a gap.” As the spouse of a church planter this can be very tempting. It is also very dangerous. If you begin a ministry that God has not called you to, you will not do it justice. This also prevents others in your newly formed community from seeing a need, and stepping up (using their God given talents for that area) and filling it. That said, there are times when you will need to “fill in” last minute in an area that is not in your gifted-ness. It is good to be prepared! I want to share with you some practical tips that you can use to help in these times. Sometimes the tips may seem overly simple or obvious to you, that may be because they are in an area you are gifted in. Read the ones that you are not gifted in! These are designed to be simple and practical. Please add your practical tips too, so that we may have a fully stocked arsenal of resources to combat that “Oh, no! You want me to do what? And with less than a days/hours/minutes notice?!?!?” feeling.
So without further ado: TIP #236
There will be times when you are having a gathering, and you find out that childcare is needed, and your husband volunteered you for the job, or you feel the need to fill in. It may happen on many different levels. It may be for a core group meeting, an informational meeting, or you may also be called in to “watch kids during church.” The point is that this happens with little or no prior warning! BE PREPARED! Have a box or bag prepared at all times with the following: A kids devotional, and hands on lesson (once you’ve done a lesson, replace it that night or the next day with a new one), coloring pages, crayons, Kid CD and a spare small CD player with speakers (or a bunch of kids songs on your IPod with a small speaker- those cardboard collapsible ones work well enough), a list of games – remember to think variety (for younger and older kids and for 3 – 20+ kids), a couple of great picture books, and a few infant toys. It never hurts to throw in Goldfish or Annie’s Bunnies. DO NOT let your children at home EVER play with this bag, or you will end up without 1/2 the stuff you needed! Pretend it doesn’t exist. Don’t pack it with the “church supply” stuff either. If you have room leave it in your car so that it is always handy. Trust me, you have know idea when you might need it!
ashes2grace 