Every Monday, my Kid’s Ministry staff and I come together for what we commonly refer to as “Winnies” and “Poohs” (not to be confused with the actual Winnie the Pooh). During this time, each of us takes a turn to discuss our “Winnie,” which is a win from Sunday or the past week, and our “Pooh,” something we consider uncool, yucky, or frustrating that happened during that timeframe. Our “Winnies” vary depending on who’s sharing and which department they lead. Some days, we hear things like, “Barrett walked into his class on his own with no tears,” or “The entire 4th and 5th grade class got so into the lesson and asked so many questions that they didn’t get to play the planned game—and no one even cared.” Our “Poohs” also vary. We’ve heard, “The poop smell in the Toddler Room was so bad that it wafted into the hallway, and people walking by were actually gagging,” to, “Two volunteers didn’t show up today,” or even, “I found out Jimmy’s parents are getting a divorce, and he’s really struggling.”

When we first started sharing like this, it was mainly to fill each other in on how things were going in our respective areas. I quickly realized how vital this practice was for our ministry mindset. It’s easy for us to come up with “Poohs.” They’re often right at the front of our minds. In fact, if we’re not careful, the “Poohs” can dominate our time together. Sometimes, the “Winnies” are harder to recognize.

Kid’s Ministry is not for the faint of heart—you already know that. There are times when there are so many obstacles, barriers, and frustrations that we can’t see a “win” even if it hits us in the face. Our minds and attitudes become saturated with all the bad things happening. Before long, we become overwhelmed and defeated.

As Kids Ministry leaders, we need to ask ourselves, “How do I define a win?” It can vary by church, ministry area, season, or even day-to-day. The important thing is that we define it and look for it—not just for ourselves as leaders, but for our entire Kid’s Ministry. Our volunteers need to know how to define a win. They also need to hear about wins that happen where they can’t see. For example, if a mom of one of the babies in their class accepted Jesus as her Savior, it was possible because the baby was cared for within our ministry by that volunteer. That volunteer becomes part of that win. Wins keep us going. They give us purpose and affirm that all our hard work is worth it.

It’s okay to be flexible with how we define a win. A ministry friend of mine was telling me how their church had a huge focus on growth. Goals were set for every area of the church, and it was considered a big win when they hit their goal—and even bigger when they exceeded it. That’s a great focus and a great win to have. However, what if you didn’t hit your goal? What if attendance plateaued? Does that mean your ministry is void of any wins? Of course not! However, my friend began to feel that way. In their mind, if that win wasn’t achieved, they had failed. We need to be careful of that trap.

As I mentioned earlier, wins can change by season. We can—and should—define multiple ways to win. I’ll be honest, there are some days that are so rough we consider it a win just to send all the kids home with the correct parents! God is always at work in our ministries. I challenge us to be on the lookout for all the details that God takes care of for us. Doing so will change our perspective, prevent discouragement, and remind us that when we serve Him, we always win.​

Debbie Rhoades is a KidMin veteran with more than 30 years of ministry experience. She is currently the Children’s Ministry Director at Grace Chapel in Franklin, Tennessee. Debbie is the author of “The Plate: The Who, What, Why, How, and How-Not-To’s of Burnout” and has another book coming out in September at the KidzMatter Conference called “Hold My Glitter, Overcoming Obstacles in Ministry.” She is also a contributor of KidzMatter Magazine and a faculty member for KidMin Academy.