Bridgeway Christian Church

This week I received an email from a Kidsway Staff.  She is newer to the church and to Kidsway and in her email she told me that she and her husband have decided to go back to their old church because they feel like they have not made a connection at Bridgeway.  Of course my immediate reaction was sadness and then guilt.  Guilt that I had not personally been able to reach out invited them over to my house with a few other families so they could make that connection.  But as I talked my feelings through with the Lord I felt like I needed to talk with you. 

I hate the thought of anyone not feeling connected in the church, it breaks my heart, especially when it is a Kidsway staff.  My husband and I have always had a heart to connect people together. We do game nights at the house all the time and invite random families over so they make connections.  Don't get me wrong- we have fun too- but the reason behind inviting people over is so that they can make connections... so that the church becomes a place that they know and have relationships and memories.  

Just last night after church we had a game night at the house.  I made a ton of taco chili and then as Ben and I saw couples to invite over we did!  And guess what happens every time: they all come over!  Everyone wants to connect! It wasn't a lot of work for me and the kids all played the wii and we played a fun game and we had a ton of fun laughing and building relationships.  

What breaks my heart about this Kidsway Staff is that this wasn't just someone saying they weren't connected at Bridgeway who slips in after the worship starts and doesn't ever talk to anyone, this was someone who has been trying to get connected. Someone who is serving in Kidsway and still didn't feel connected.  So here is my heart, and I am saying this in the most loving way that I can but this is your challenge:

If you are working in the Kidsway classroom and you don't know and aren't reaching out to the staff that work with you then your missing what you need to be doing.  Kidsway is more than just working with the kids, it is about connection with staff, parents, and kids.

So simple things you can do: after church say to the other staff working in the room with you, "hey lets head to dessert after this" or "hey want to go get pizza together after we are done here?"  You don't have to invite them to your house- but that can be a lot of fun too!

Please connect with the other staff working with you. Kidsway is a team and a family and if our own Kidsway staff are leaving the church because they aren't feeling connected then we are missing it big time!  You do a great job making new families feel welcome and kids feel valued, but I'm asking you to step it up a level with the staff that work with you.  I know this can be scary and I'm asking you to put yourself out there, but it is time please take the time to love the staff you are working with, care for them like Jesus cares for you and be the friend they need.  Chances are you will make some wonderful new friends, cause I can tell you in confidence we have AMAZING people working in Kidsway!  

In Him