Welcome to SteppingOut - making footprints with Jesus! My name is Arlene Clark and I have been in children's ministry for 35+ years. I love what I am doing however, God is leading me in a new and exciting direction...so here I am, stepping out with Jesus.
With God's prompting (more like shoving) I am stepping out to help encourage and equip children's leaders (especially those serving in volunteer positions).
Over the past few years, I have noticed a trend with Children's Directors/Leaders...they have become discouraged (Satan's #1 tool)...and with good reason!
Many Children's Department are: - Often under staffed - Often under funded - Often the least appreciated - Often short on volunteers - Often thought of as a babysitting service - Often left to function on their own
Many Children's Director/Leader (especially a volunteer) - Often spends their own money to provide for the needs of the children - Is worn out - Is often unappreciated - Is seldom recognized - Often wears many hats - Often feels lonely and not a part of the church - Has more responsibilities than many other leaders in the church...but is still left to handle everything themselves.
I'm here to help you....
If you have been called to serve (paid or unpaid) where you are...you understand! And yes...a volunteer CAN BE called as well as a paid director/worker. God is all about the heart...not just the degree.
As you can guess, I have a HUGE heart for volunteers...and there is a reason. I have served in a volunteer position (BY CHOICE) for over 35 years.
Because of God's incredible blessings in my personal life, I have been able to step in and serve when and where God calls. I have no financial ties (a true blessing that I am very aware of...and thank God for every day) to prevent me from making a move when God calls me to a new ministry...but I definitely have heart ties. Which makes change extra hard. I know that you understand! These little ones mean everything to me...and I am sure they do to you as well!
Over the past few years, God has blessed me with specific gifts and talents that I now want to share with the many volunteers (and paid leaders) who are serving day in and day out with our children. I know it's hard...but I am here to help!
On this page, I will be: - Encouraging You - Lifting you each in prayer - Sharing new ideas, events and activities to help with your calendar planning - Creating flyers, forms, etc for those of you who need a little help! - Tuesday Tips - Each Tuesday, I will try to post a new tip about something I have learned over my 35+ years of ministry - Sharing lists of monthly or seasonal activities that you can incorporate into your calendar - Posting mission and outreach ideas etc. I pray that I can be of service to you (in any way... just ask) with this wild, wonderful, crazy, maddening thing we call Children's Ministry.
Arlene
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