DC Talk, Newsboys, & Audio Adrenaline

These were my favorite artists growing up. I listened to them constantly! I had a Sony Discman (portable CD Player) to take them with me on youth trips and vacations. Lately (about 15-20 years later) I've been doing a lot of work at our church. We're renovating part of an old building to have a larger sanctuary. It needs a lot of work and I'm currently finishing out the ceiling. I made a classic Christian hits playlist with these groups' hit songs a while back and decided to play it while I worked. I found it unbelievably energizing!

DC Talk is my favorite of three bands and their lyrics are loaded with God's principles. For example, let's look at "Just between you and me". It is all about forgiveness.

In my pursuit of God
I thirst for holiness
As I approach the Son
I must consider this
Offenses unresolved
Will keep me from the throne
Before I go to Him

My wrong must be atoned

This is Matt 6:14-15 (ESV), For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  

The Jesus Freak album is my personal favorite from DC Talk and features other hits such as Jesus Freak, What if I stumble, & In the Light. There's even a funny rendition of Jesus Freak. 

My first Newsboys album was Going Public. It's hit tracks were Shine & Spirit Thing. The Take me to Your Leader album is good too. Breakfast is my favorite meal and they have a song which is all about how there is no breakfast in hell. Audio Adrenaline is terrific too. My first album was Don't Censor Me. Big House is probably the most well know song on it. Later I bought Some Kind of Zombie which I really liked too. 

If you were in a youth group in the mid to late 90's get these CDs or tapes out of storage and turn up the volume!

Sources Cited:

1. DC Talk, "Just between you and me." Forefront 1995, Jesus Freak. 

2. All Scripture is ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

3. Photos courtesy of my collection.

Volunteer Appreciation

Used with permission from Microsoft

In children's ministry you have to hand it to your faithful volunteers. They are the ones always showing up on time, ready to serve. During Christmas programs, Easter, and other events, they are heavily leaned on and willing to take additional shifts when someone doesn't show. It's these volunteers who are the pillars of children's ministry. 

While most churches are good about celebrating Pastor's Appreciation, these behind-the-scenes powerhouses can often go unnoticed. You can find them in the nursery, children's church, and Sunday school. These people need to know what they are doing is making a difference.  Here are a few ways you to show appreciation. A thank you goes a long way, but what if you took it to the next level? How would that affect a volunteers’ view of his or her ministry?

Here are a few ideas:

• $5 Coffee shop gift card & thank you note.

• Treating them to lunch at a nice place.

• Inviting them over for dinner.

• A card with a personal note praising their efforts.

• Box of chocolates, pastries, fruit basket, etc.

• Recognition before the congregation.  
  

Along with your gift, make sure to communicate the following:

• What they are doing is an important service to God. It matters!

• They are helping children to know and grow in Christ.

• They are giving parents opportunities to know and grow in Christ. 

• Lastly, that as their pastor/leader, you love and appreciate them. 
  
  

How often should you do this? It depends on the amount of volunteers you have. In my experience, a monthly basis works well. You can honor one or more a month depending on the amount of help you have. Keep a spreadsheet on who you have honored and the date. That way you keep track. By going above and beyond in appreciation, you are sowing into the ministry and helping to renew your volunteers' passion and dedication. 

Burnout happens, so appreciate your volunteers and give them time to be refreshed. 

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed, (Proverbs 11:25, NLT).

God bless you!

-Seth

Sources Cited:

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.