For years, I’ve wanted to give our volunteer team a yearly ministry theme. It was one of those ideas that always seemed important, but never urgent. Every year, I found another reason to put it off. This year, I finally made it a priority.

Next month, at our annual volunteer kick-off breakfast, we’ll unveil our theme: Fan the Flame, based on 2 Timothy 1:6: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."

The inspiration came from last year's KidzMatter Conference, where I helped with the KidMin Academy Graduation. Ryan Frank shared a powerful message from this verse, and every graduate received a Duraflame fire starter as a reminder that God has given each of us gifts meant to be used—not left idle. I love reminders like that. A simple object can bring you back to a much bigger purpose.

Over the past few months, I’ve been asking myself: What would it look like if our volunteers were intentionally encouraged throughout the year to discover, develop, and demonstrate the gifts God has given them? That question became more than a breakfast theme. It has grown into monthly devotions, practical challenges, visual reminders, and even our Christmas gift. Rather than offering disconnected encouragement throughout the year, everything now reinforces one central truth: God has uniquely gifted every member of our team, and those gifts matter.

I've learned that having a clear theme helps me stay focused as a leader. Instead of chasing every new idea, I can filter decisions through one purpose. It creates consistency for our team and keeps our ministry intentional. But I'll admit something else. When I first started in children’s ministry, none of this would have been possible.

I was doing everything myself—choosing curriculum, making copies, cutting crafts, organizing supplies, teaching, solving problems, and trying to keep every plate spinning. There wasn't any room left to dream, improve systems, or think strategically about where God wanted to take our ministry. Then someone offered to help. Then another person. And another. Little by little, I learned one of the most important leadership lessons of my ministry: figure out what only you can do, and trust others with the rest. That is how the theme becomes real in daily ministry.

Was delegation easy? Not at all. Training people takes time. Giving away responsibilities can feel slower than doing it yourself. But that investment pays incredible dividends.

Today, our ministry has volunteers who prepare materials, make copies, organize classrooms, mail postcards, and handle dozens of behind-the-scenes tasks. Their faithful service has given me something I didn't have before—margin to lead and focus on what matters most.

Tomorrow morning, our wonderful group of retired and widowed ladies will arrive right on schedule. They'll grab the copying masters, organize supplies, cut crafts, clean whiteboards, sort crayons and markers, and tackle whatever else needs to be done. Then they'll head to Culver's together for lunch before going home.

Most people will never see what they accomplished. But I do. And more importantly, God does.

They are just as much a part of life change as the volunteer leading a Bible lesson. Every role matters when we're building God's Kingdom, because every gift supports the same work.

As you prepare for a new ministry year, I'd encourage you to consider two things. First, lead with intention. Whether it's a yearly theme, a leadership focus, or another strategy that fits your ministry, have a plan that continually points your volunteers back to their God-given purpose.

Second, identify one responsibility that only you think you have to do—and give it away. Start small. Train someone. Encourage them. Then repeat the process so your team can keep growing.

You'll create opportunities for others to use their gifts, and you'll gain the margin you need to do what God has uniquely called you to do. That is how the theme and delegation work together.

When leaders stop trying to do everything, they create space for everyone else to flourish. And that's how you truly fan the flame.

Amy Bates has spent more than 30 years serving in children's ministry and still believes the best ideas often start with a simple question: How can we do this better? As the Children's Minister at Grace Heartland Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, she's passionate about developing leaders, equipping volunteers, and creating environments where kids and families can grow in their faith. Fueled by Dr. Pepper Zero and a healthy supply of Goldfish crackers, Amy is always dreaming up the next ministry adventure. When she's not at church, she loves traveling with her husband to visit their two grown sons whenever she gets the chance.