It’s a New Year and Time to Exfoliate

Donna Hostetler

It’s winter in the Midwest and many people are prone to dry skin. A couple of years ago, I heard that the best approach to dry skin is to exfoliate. Initially it didn’t make sense to me. The dictionary definition—exfoliate: “come apart or be shed from a surface in scales or layers.” To renew cells with moisture, it’s important to take off the dead. Totally works!

It’s a new year and it may be time to exfoliate an area of ministry. I’m not suggesting a total makeover, just a focused look. I met with a group of children’s ministry large group leaders this week to talk about their program. This was an impressive group of volunteer leaders. They are “owners” of this ministry to kids. “Owners” because they are wholly committed with heart and soul.

They know the kids, they know the mission, they are passionate about all aspects. They want to improve the ministry and make it the best it can be—for the eternal sake of the kids. And they are not unlike other volunteer leaders I have known in ministry. Together, we took an evaluative look at their program, noting the positives and the negatives; we discussed what we could “peel away” or reframe.  We discussed many creative ideas they had to better the ministry at this mid-year point, and they shared a willingness to participate on a greater level.

As I met with this team, I was reminded again of the value of such meetings with volunteers. The meeting was productive and leaders left grateful for the opportunity to share as stakeholders and energized as they head into the next few months of ministry to kids. I felt like we exfoliated and renewed the focus!  The start of the new year is an excellent time to meet with your “owners.”

Happy New Year!