Here are 7 things I often tell our uptown volunteers to do to make kids feel welcome in Uptown. If we are not consistently thinking about what we can proactively do to help kids feel welcome, we won’t do it.
7 sure-fire ways to make kids feel welcome in church.
1. Talk to them how they talk to you – If they are shy, you need to be shy if they are outgoing be outgoing.
2. Make fun of yourself -If you can make funny faces or do funny voices that’s always a plus
3. Come down physically to their level to look into their eyes as you talk.
4. Stay up on kid culture – Don’t ask them about “Rugrats” ask them about Phineas and Ferb
5. Give them things – stickers, candy, Bible bucks
6. Learn their names and their parents names
7. ALWAYS greet the kids before the parents
#1 is a great reminder. I think sometimes voluteers try to be TOO over the top outgoing and kind and "fun" toward that kid having a hard time….we need to back off and take it slower sometimes. Just be near with a soft kind word, and available with a smile when they are ready!
Good stuff, Sam!
//TC//
B, C, and G are my personal favorites. Thanks for the tips.
This is helpful stuff!
I would re-word it this way for our church:
7 sure fire ways to make kids feel welcome in church.
Talk to them how they talk to you – If they are shy you need to be shy, if they are outgoing be outgoing.
Learn their names and their parents names
ALWAYS greet the kids before the parents
Come down physically to their level to look in their eyes as you talk.
Use humor-If you can make funny faces or do funny voices that’s always a plus
Stay up on kid culture – Don’t ask them about “The Muppets” ask them about Phineas and Ferb
Give them things – stickers, candy, occasional rewards
I am actually looking to hire a full-time volunteer editor, if your interested. Only kidding I actually really like your version better. Thanks.
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