Culture Point #2 - Investing in the Spiritual Lives of Others

A few weeks ago, we began taking a close look at the culture of CEF—what we believe, what we value and how we function. Our leaders have developed six culture points that define us as a ministry. Each of these are hallmarks that we, as IOTs, need to be sure we are exhibiting in our training ministries.

Earlier this month we examined the first point – the Importance of Godly Leadership at Every Level. This point reminds us that, as ministry leaders, we must have a heart for God and an ability to discern His will as we lead. We also considered the foundations of godly leadership such as having a growing relationship with God, spending time in His Word and in prayer, yielding ourselves regularly to the control of the Holy Spirit and being clean vessels through which God can work.

Today, we want to consider the second culture point:

Importance of the Spiritual Welfare of our Workers It is vital that we are never satisfied to simply teach our staff the methods of how to reach children and how to train others to do so, but we must purposefully invest in the spiritual lives of our staff. When CEF staff are men and women who are primarily driven by passion for God and His glory and have a clear call from the Lord, the work will prosper. If we keep our focus on God and on His calling, then we will be sustained in times of challenge.

This culture point is especially important for those of us in the training ministry. Our work as instructors of teachers is so much more than just teaching our students the skills needed to reach and disciple children effectively. We are investing in their lives; building into their character; adding vital links to their spiritual life chain. Those intangible things can’t be accomplished just by teaching a curriculum. So how do we see to the spiritual welfare of those God has entrusted to our leadership? Here are some thoughts to get you started:

Balance academics with inspiration When you have to communicate a lot of information, evaluate and grade student performance, it’s easy to get focused on academics. But you need to also give attention to the inspiration of your students. Keep in mind that the inspirational aspects of your classes should not be focused just on what students are doing, but also on who they are and what they are becoming. Encourage your students to let God’s Word soak into their own lives before they try to share it with the children. Remind students often that their strength for service comes not from developing a technically-correct lesson, but from time spent with the Author of the Word they are teaching.

Remind students frequently that their ministry is not a “job” but a calling Even volunteer teachers can begin to feel like their club is a job they must do. You need to constantly remind your students of God’s call to this ministry of reaching children. As this culture point reminds us, “If we keep our focus on God and on His calling, then we will be sustained in times of challenge.” Those of us in children’s ministry encounter challenges all the time. There are always reasons to quit. When those times come, it is often the reality of God’s call on our lives that keeps us going! Use Scriptures such as Matt. 18:14, Mark 10:14, Mark 16:15 and Rom. 10:14-15 to inspire your students for the work God has called them to do.

Share in practical ways Looking out for the spiritual welfare of your students is not just what you say in class. You can also encourage them in practical ways.

• Encourage students through informal conversations during the course. Ask how they’re doing and how they’re feeling about what they’re learning. Offer a word of personal encouragement when you sense a student is struggling.
  
  
• Have scheduled and unscheduled prayer time with your students. You might want to have a “God Can” in your TCE class. Encourage students to write down requests to put in the can, and then take time at each session to pray for them. Have prayer partners among the students and also from outside the class. When a student shares a need with you personally, stop and pray immediately for that need.
  
  
• Keep your eyes open for inexpensive inspirational gifts for your students. A card at their place with an inspirational quote or Scripture verse can be a real encouragement. Small inspirational books or other gift items can be found at your local Christian bookstore or on Web sites like http://www.christianbook.com/.

Share your heart, not just your head When you consider what illustrations to use in a class session, go beyond just the stories about how you put a certain teaching skill into practice (although they DO need to hear those stories!). Think also about personal stories that reveal your own struggles and how God is working in your life. Your students love to know that you are still a “work in progress” just like them! Don’t depress them—but do share about times you feel uncertain or even defeated in the ministry and how God lifts you up on those difficult days.

Follow up your TCE grads After students graduate from your TCE course, keep in contact with them beyond their involvement in the ministry. Maybe you can develop a monthly or quarterly e-mail letter to your TCE alumni to encourage their spiritual walk as well as their ministry with children. This type of brief communication can go a long way to keep them inspired and motivated. Plan a yearly get-together for TCE alumni – a time for sharing and encouragement – and of course dessert! This type of follow up lets your students know they are not just a statistic on your monthly report, but a part of your CEF family.

Set a good example This is undoubtedly the hardest of these suggestions to carry out. We all have “unlived-out” truth in our lives. We know what we’re supposed to be and do, but often fall short. It’s the same struggle Paul describes in Rom. 7:15-24. There are no perfect instructors of teachers. Did you hear that? None! But, we need to be yielding ourselves to God daily so that the Fruit of the Spirit can be revealed in our lives. When you have challenges in your TCE courses, with your TCE students or even with your fellow instructors, check your attitude. Ask God to give you grace to be the example of a Spirit-controlled teacher as you interact with others.

Look out for your own spiritual welfare What are you doing to continue developing your own spiritual life? We all have our own ways of recharging our batteries. Whether you refresh your spiritual life by reading good books, setting aside extended times to be alone with God, talking with spiritual a mentor or keeping a journal, you need to find ways that work for you. And don’t forget that taking care of your physical needs relates to your spiritual life as well. Make sure you are getting sufficient rest and time to just relax with friends.

Remember, it is vital that “we are never satisfied to simply teach our staff the methods of how to reach children and how to train others to do so, but we must purposefully invest in the spiritual lives of our staff.” How are you doing in this area? Are there some things you need to do differently or better? Do you have additional ideas or suggestions? Please click the “comment” link below and share with us!