It’s no question. This pandemic has changed the ministry game, for sure. I confess, I’ve relived a few apocolyptic movie moments in my brain over the past few weeks. A mash up of The Stand + Stranger Things + Hunger Games.
That may reveal more than you care to know about the inner mechanations of my brain. You’re welcome. 🙂
But today, in the midst of (what feels like) daily uncertainty, we have an opportunity before us that we’ve never had before.
- Most people’s daily lives are slowing down. Rhythms are shifting from constant “on-the-go” to more time than they’re acustomed to having. Yesterday the puzzle shelf in Target was wiped clean. Really? It’s my only outlet when couped up at home, people!
- Parents are navigating conversations with their kids they don’t feel prepared to have. And they’re looking for help.
- Though quarantine is necessary, the effects of isolation can take it’s toll.
- Watching news outlets isn’t great for the psyche as we face the prospect of economic hardship down the road.
These are only a few of the complexities our families and volunteers face today. And trying to find ways to bring support, encouragement and practical resources is a challenge. Many ministry leaders are turning to social media as a method to connect. And those avenues are great!
In fact, you can read here for some curated resources that can help AND you can listen here for a great conversation about connecting with parents effectively… even now!
But even with these resources, it can feel like connection on social media is like yelling across a crowded room. We’re competing with a lot of noise.
How do we find a way to cut through all the chatter?
Is there really a way to get their attention amidst the myriad of posts, updates and links flooding their feed?
Is there a way to stay connected in light of social distancing?
The answer to these questions are… YES!
And the answer is found in a team of volunteer coaches.
Whether you have an established team of volunteer coaches… had just started to build it… or never really thought much of it before, now’s the right time to lean in.
“I already have a great team of Coaches!”
If this is you… then congrats. You can hit the ground running. In fact, you probably already have. Here are a few ideas to help maintain (and even build) momentum for your team in the midst of this crazy season.
- Set a vision for your Coaches. Their role is to expand your span of care. That means they’re primary purpose is to care for your volunteers the way you want to care for them. And in this season of uncertainty, you want them to know someone is there to listen, pray and encourage them. So, set a vision for your coaches to help.
- Establish a method of connection. Mentioned above are methods toward virtual connection, but it simply cannot replace personal connection. We need both. And your coaches play a key role in helping you maintain personal connection. So set a clear expectation for calls and/or texts from coaches to volunteers to personally connect. (In light of the pandemic, “personal connection” takes on new meaning. Phone calls and video chats can create that connection while practicing social distancing.)
- Define an agenda for the contact. Clarity is the kindest thing you can offer your coaches. So, make sure they know what you want them to do. Equip them with simple questions to ask like, “What needs do you have, right now? How can I pray for you?”
- Set a goal for contacts. Be specific with how many contacts you’re asking your coaches to make each week. As the weeks progress, persistance around personal calls will wane. So, agree to a reasonable goal for each coach and a time where they agree to check in and provide an update.
- Connect regularly. A weekly video call is a great way to pull your Coaches together to pray, recap and encourage. Be prepared with a recommended resource that can help them AND the volunteers they lead. Remember… if the call adds value, your Coaches will engage.
- Create a central point of communication. Emails and text threads can get hazy real fast. Try a private FB group as a central hub of communication where you can send videos, post updates, share prayer requests and helpful resources. I recommend setting one up for your Coach Team and a separate one for your entire volunteer team. This allows you a connection point with both teams. The trick here is making sure you honor and support the Coach role. Allow them to be the source to the volunteers they lead. You are there to underscore what they do, not the other way around.
“I don’t have a team of Coaches! What do I do?”
If you’ve not yet leaned into building a Coaching team, now is a great time to do it. Check out this post where I share some ideas on how to build and deploy a team of coaches despite our present circumstances.
