Interesting reflections from agent K on the challenges of being a volunteer, I particularly liked the re-hashing of this famous quote on greatness:
Some are born great youthworkers.
Others achieve great youthwork.
Others have youthwork thrust upon them
I think a lot of volunteers have entered youth work by way of number three, this has been the churches recruitment "strategy" a lot of the time. However or whatever reasons that volunteers volunteered, there are thousands of committed people in this role making a difference week by week (I was at a FABULOUS group yesterday morning). It is fair to say though that it is increasingly difficult to find people who are happy to volunteer to work with young people!
Roy wonders if, "the history of poor recruitment in youthwork counts against us?" and I certainly think the answer is yes! I've seen churches where the youth work has been "thrust upon" someone without support and resources, then them being stuck in that role til they die or move! I'm pleased that I am beginning to see clearer expectations being written for volunteer roles as well as a time boundary for reviewing and discussing the role.
I still think though that the Church are suffering from not supporting youth leaders enough in their role, either by not providing resources/training/finance OR by expecting youth leaders to do several other roles in the church too. I would love to see MUCH more support for the volunteers and a recognition that if young people are their ministry that is where they should invest their energy.
Probably about 95% of Church Youthwork is delivered by volunteers. If you're a volunteer, what could the Church be doing better? If you're a Youth worker, what are you doing to support, enable and encourage your volunteers? Comments Please ......
(for those that know Mark Berry ... is it just me or does that cartoon look incredibly like him?)
This BBC news
Cool piece of work from Ben Bell who has managed to put together a detailed "














