on NOT gushing {over volunteers}

as a young children's ministry leader, i was taught to celebrate volunteers like there was NO TOMORROW. because, literally, if there was no tomorrow, we'd host a giant volunteer party with balloons and gift cards and great food and inflatable slides and thank you speeches that gushed with words like "i could NEVER do this without you. you are EVERYTHING." 

that's all good and fun and dramatic, AND, how i've been operating. GUSHING over volunteers every time they serve, with parking vouchers and gifts and thank you cards and super-dramatic-words like "you're a LIFESAVER."

until. last fall, we were working on our ministry budgets, and my teammate asked why there was so much dang money in my volunteer appreciation line. 

UM. FIRST OF ALL. appreciating volunteers is important. and i need money to do that well.

SECOND OF ALL. say more. i'm open to feedback {ha!}.

he did say more. which i'm so glad for -- along the lines of celebrating volunteers too much, and how sometimes that can give the wrong message, leading to a dysfunctional relationship: you serve the church and the church gives you things, and makes you feel good.  

his words made me think, challenged the assumptions i've made over the years. of course, i'll never stop appreciating volunteers. BUT, i am working hard to stop gushing. here's why: 

serving = reward + sacrifice

of course, volunteers should feel rewarded for their service. and while material rewards are fun, maybe the focus should be more about the satisfaction that comes when you purposefully use your God-given talents in a meaningful way. for example: yesterday, a volunteer who LED the sunday children's experience thanked me for the opportunity. she didn't thank me for the coffee or the parking voucher, she thanked me for giving her a chance to use her leadership gifts on a new level.

ok, then. noted.

along with reward, there has to be sacrifice. that seems to be the essence of SERVICE. giving to others. and, i'm afraid that when i gush too much, i'm trying to hide the side of sacrifice. LOOK OVER HERE! you're not as tired as you think you are. YOU HAVE DONUTS! {because, i think what i'm secretly communicating is: if i can distract you long enough from realizing the sacrifice, sweat, hard work, you won't quit on me. OUCH.}

i'm learning. i'll never be in danger of not celebrating my volunteers. BUT, a bit of focus on the sacrifice side might make the serving experience that much deeper + richer.

now, please excuse me while i send thank-you-gift-cards to all the volunteers who braved the snow + cold yesterday. baby steps, people.