VBS + FPC = Life-change for everyone who experienced it!

To say that PandaMania was a success is the ultimate understatement.  If you’re confused, PandaMania was our Vacation Bible School event that was conducted at Forest Park Church last week.  We knew that we were going to have a great group of kids because of the record number of pre-registered kids but we were completely blown away by an attendance of more than 350 people each night with kids and volunteers.  Our Auditorium only seats 200 – do the math :o)

So, as I’m a dedicated student of leadership, here are my “take-aways” from leading this type of event:

1. Any event will only be as successful as volunteer buy-in.  If you want any project or event to be produced with passion and excellence, you – as leader – must understand how to empower your volunteer team to be as passionate and committed to pulling it off with excellence, as you are!  PandaMania was incredible because the volunteers believed it was an incredible.
2. There can NEVER be enough emphasis placed on organization.  I sometimes feel that my commitment to organizing everything can be over the top.  However, when you have almost 400 people crammed into a building that is not nearly large enough and you have children, ages 2 – 18, in every square inch of that space, you better be organized in order to keep everyone safe and your volunteers from losing their minds!
3. My leadership mantra has always been, “I’ll never ask you to do something that I haven’t done or that I’m not willing to do.”  It may seem simple to say something like this but if you’re not willing to live it, don’t even bother trying to lead.  Seriously, don’t do it to yourself or those that you’re asking to follow you.  Integrity is key and volunteers will only give you one chance to blow it.  If they see that they can’t trust you to jump in and serve alongside of them then why should they bother?  I will never lead from an “ivory tower” – I want to be exactly where YOU are, if you’re serving with me!

As many of you have seen on Facebook or on the Forest Park Church website (www.fplive.org) we are recruiting for a Director of Children’s Ministries.  As I walked away from this year’s VBS experience I was keenly aware that this would most likely be the last year for me and I’m okay with that!  I’m certain that God is preparing the perfect person to support the vision and passion of Forest Park Church and take our Children’s Ministries to the next level.  That person must ready to learn, teach, pray and LEAD!

Until next time,

Lana Neal