“Treat” Leaders Right The Pioneer Clubs council (committee) at Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church, Naperville, Illinois, wanted their club leaders to feel fully supported in their work. So they started a two-part “Agape Ministry”: Linda Roon became the Agape Ministry council member. “On each page of Treat 'Em Right,” Linda explains, “there’s a predesigned phrase—four of the same design per page.” Linda photocopies a page (such as “Thank you for SPICING up our children’s ministry team!”), cuts the phrases apart, and attaches the treat (such as a spiced tea bag) that the book suggests. Before the leaders arrive each week, Linda leaves the notes and treats—one for each leader—in each club room. Then she comes back during club to see if the leaders need any help. Leaders love the notes and treats. "They say, 'Oh, you spoil us!'" Linda says. Sometimes they give her a hug. The kids say to Linda, "What are you bringing us this week?" "I say, 'You’ll have to grow up and become a leader!'" The leaders “really appreciate the care and concern” that the treats show, says Linda, even though the notes are just photocopies, not personalized. These treats aren’t needed every week, Linda says. “Even if people only want to use them sporadically, that’s fine. It’s an extra tool [for encouraging leaders].” Linda does it each week simply because it’s her passion. “The leaders are so very special and so very needed. Club couldn’t happen without them,” she says. Because of the leaders, “the kids have someone to look up to and to help them grow the way the Lord wants them to grow.” “Each of those leaders is serving the Lord. This is to show that the council members are servants to the leaders.” If leaders have no interaction with anyone outside their club during a meeting, Linda says, they may feel they’re all alone and “no one cares about me.” “We wanted to let the leaders know they’re not in it all by themselves.”  Linda Roon (r) “treats” Voyager leader Justine Jensen. |
