Methods Must Change

On Monday I started a reading help program again at the local school where I’ve been volunteering for years. It was neat working with fourth grade students who I helped as third graders last year.

We had a great first session because I knew them….

and I’d made an effort to do things in a way that worked.

The message of ministry, or the end goal never changes. The method however, changes very often! This is because a method that works for one group doesn’t really connect with another. So there must be a constant process of evaluating, and changing the way ministry is done.

My reading groups with those third grade students was good last year. But during the second half of the term, I found some Mondays they couldn’t have reading sessions, because important material was being covered during that time.

Up till this year I’ve always come at 10:00 since that time fit better into the schedule of the older students. But this wasn’t best for younger ones since their major teaching sessions are in the morning while their brains are fresh.

The interesting thing is I noticed part-way through the term I wasn’t coming at the best time….

but I refused to change the time for the reading sessions.

This is partly because changing times midway through the school year can be difficult. But the truth is I was more interested in keeping my method (morning sessions) since it fit better with my schedule.

Over the summer I was reminded that the goal of ministry is effectiveness, or finding a way that truly works (connects). So, the methods (or the way I’ve always done it) should change if things could be better.

Changing methods sounds easy, but it’s actually very hard since we become comfortable doing things a certain way. Becoming uncomfortable or stretching ourselves is difficult, but yields great results.

A few weeks ago I met with the principal, and explained I wanted to meet with students at 2:00 (they let out at 3:00). By then the main teaching had been finished, and the students were ready for a break, so this time was ideal.

I was supposed to have six students monday….

But the teacher asked if I could take four more!

Standing in front of ten smiling and excited students I silently thanked God for convicting me over doing ministry my way. And helping me do ministry the right way.