Thanks Jen!!!!

I just had to give a shout out to Jennifer Burkitt. She used to be the preschool director at the church on which I was formerly a staff member. I say "used to" for two reasons... because I am no longer on staff and she is no longer on staff.

She told me that my last day was her last day as well. I want to honor her for investing her life in caring for our two boys and hundreds of others over the past 2 1/2 years. I know how much of her heart and her time that she poured into and prayed into each and every volunteer and kid that was involved in her ministry. She has a unique servants heart.

What she didn't know is that she was getting into what I think is the #1 burnout position in any church... preschool ministry. In my 5 years of ministry experience I have seen 3 out of 4 preschool ministry people burnout. Most often they don't burnout on Jesus... just on ministry.

Each story is similar. They start the ministry with great energy and passion and the dream of impacting kids and parents for Christ. But they often give too much... too often... and slowly get worn down. They are easy to take for granted and rarely get the recognition they deserve. They give until they are empty... yet don't have opportunities to step back and be filled.

They regularly don't have enough... not enough volunteers... not enough classrooms... and not enough resources to solve their own problems. After awhile they lose their joy and don't enjoy church. So they have to step away to reconnect with God and reconnect with church.

I mean seriously... when was the last time you wrote a thank you note to your preschool director or gave them a gift certificate for dinner-and-a-movie with their spouse. It doesn't happen. Out-of-sight = out-of-mind

So what can churches do to reverse the trend in preschool ministry director burnout:
1. Thank your preschool leaders profusely (publicly, privately, personally).
2. Listen to their needs, concerns, desires & dreams... and do something to improve their situation.
3. Give them breaks. If that means saying no to a childcare need to let them enjoy an adult activity, it is a small price to pay for increasing ministry longevity.

And I must end where I began. Thank you Jen Burkitt for caring and praying for our two boys over the last 2 1/2 years. Your heart for the Lord and love for ministry is genuine. God is not done with you yet. You have not quit. You have made a difference.