My wife, Tracy, is a Guide Development Specialist and trainer. At a Head to the Heart Guide Huddle a few years ago, she asked “veteran” Guides the things they had learned. I thought you might find the answers interesting. Here is their Top 9:
1. Over time, the group really does bond.
2. Conflicts with sports make outside events difficult to plan.
3. The more we do together as a group, the tighter the group becomes and the more trust grows.
4. Not all parents are engaged in supporting the program and activities.
5. Some of the kids know nothing about the Bible.
6. One person can really impact the dynamics of the group.
7. Kids love treats and little gifts and these will motivate them.
8. Kids need help getting focused.
9. Most kids don’t know the traditional way to sit while in the church sanctuary.
Outside of the general discoveries and rediscoveries about kids (they need help getting focused or learning where to sit), notice #1 and #3: the more time you spend with the group, the more you bond together. This simple fact is so often missed by Guides and Pastors alike – quantity of time really does matter. What’s the payoff? Guides and kids who know each other better trust each other more. People who trust each other are more willing to be real with each other and to be open in matters of faith. This trust level is what moves kids from the head to the heart.
She also asked her new Guides if they had any questions in starting out the year. Here is their Top 9:
1. What do we do for service and fellowship events?
2. What kind of help and support will be available if we have discipline challenges?
3. What is the attendance policy for kids?
4. What do we do during small group time?
5. How much do we need to prepare ahead of time?
6. Should we still get together during the summer?
7. What is our role during grade retreats?
8. What happens at the grade retreats?
9. Will non-Guide parents be substitutes if needed?
The top question doesn’t surprise me. Most Guides are intimidated by the Servant and Fellowship events. The rest of the list is a fairly straightforward inventory of nuts-and-bolts questions about the program.
The reason I’ve shared these two lists is to simply remind you to be aware that no matter which church you are at, your volunteers are going to be discovering many of the same things and asking many of the same questions. Anything you can do to be proactive about lessening their concerns or helping them discover the methods behind the Head to the Heart system will benefit your program and benefit your kids.
Monty Lysne is National Director of Youth and Family Ministry. He is located at the Faith Inkubators’ offices in Stillwater, MN and is happy to address any questions you may have regarding Faith Inkubators’ resources. Please contact him at mlysne@faithink.com. Read his blog at www.faithink.blogs.com/h2h/.
