Education is becoming increasingly challenging. So are parenting, socialization, and moral nurturing. We live in a society where the financial and social demands on families seem to necessitate multiple earners in each family. At the same time, our expectations of the standard of living are greater than ever. Once, a 2,000-square-foot house was considered large. Now, we are hard-pressed to find one that size, and if we do, the cost is still a challenge for young families. The “downsizing” concept of retirement has also changed from a simpler life to dream homes, elaborate travel, and the pursuit of extravagance.

When all of these are added up, we see pronounced atrophy in the teaching force of our culture. We see pronounced independence, isolation, and loneliness in our kids. And in the world of the church, fewer people see it as our opportunity to raise up the next generation with strong, biblical understanding and intentional discipleship. Families say, “Someone at church will do it.” Those in the local church fellowship say, “Someone ELSE will do it.”

So several years ago, I decided to use my Sundays when I wasn’t preaching as an opportunity to be a volunteer in the kids ministry. A few times a year, I settle into classrooms to meet kids and assist our volunteers. What amazes me is what our leaders have done to make volunteering simpler and easier. They collect the supplies, simplify the curriculum, make learning fun, and have everything in place. What they cannot do is manufacture volunteers.

So to all who are reading this and thinking, “I did my time,” few can actually say that honestly. I often come across people who say they never invested in the next generation when they were single, newlywed, in their parenting years, or in retirement. The truth was this statement: “It was never ‘my’ time for kids.”

What is the next generation’s faith worth to us? To you? Those who DO invest weekly or monthly make wonderful friends with other volunteers and become encouragers to scores of children. Brandy Rogers and her team do an excellent job, and they need our help. I have been volunteering for Summer Blast and Sunday mornings for 23 years. I wouldn’t trade anything for the little buddies I have enjoyed. Will you become a “buddy” to the kids that God is bringing to our church?

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. . .” Now it’s time for us to pass on that same attitude to the generation growing up around us! Join me as a volunteer!