Why You Should Consider Serving in the Church Nursery
At Starnes Cove Baptist, we believe that serving in the church nursery is a wonderful way to give back to our church family, and a great way to take care of the most precious of God's creation. Whether you’ve volunteered before or are just thinking about it, here are ten heartfelt reasons why you should consider serving in our nursery:
1. Helping Kids Start Their Faith Journey
Think about the joy of being one of the first people to share God’s love with a child. In the nursery, we spend time singing songs about Jesus, telling simple Bible stories, and praying with the little ones. These early moments help plant seeds of faith that will grow throughout their lives. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." By serving in the nursery, you help guide these little hearts from the very beginning. This aligns perfectly with our mission to bring people to Christ and disciple them for service and outreach.
2. Building a Strong Church Community
When you volunteer in the nursery, you’re doing more than just watching kids—you’re connecting with their families and helping to build a supportive church community. Knowing their children are in good hands allows parents to engage fully in worship and fellowship. This sense of community is vital for a thriving church. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together...but encouraging one another." Your service helps foster this encouragement and connection, fulfilling our vision to relationally evangelize and create loving fellowship.
3. Giving Parents Peace of Mind
Parents need peace of mind to fully engage in worship. By creating a safe, loving environment in the nursery, you give them that reassurance. This allows them to focus on their own spiritual nourishment without worry. Jesus said in Matthew 18:5, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." By providing a secure space for the children, you’re welcoming Jesus Himself into our midst and giving parents the comfort they need, which is a part of our mission to worship God wholeheartedly.
4. Learning Patience and Compassion
Anyone who’s spent any amount of time with young children knows they can sometimes test your patience, but more than that, they also teach you so much about compassion and unconditional love. Serving in the nursery helps you grow these important qualities. James 1:19 advises us, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." The patience and compassion you develop in the nursery extend into all areas of your life, enriching your relationships and personal growth. This growth aligns with our mission to disciple believers for service and outreach.
5. Forming Lifelong Bonds
The connections you make with children and their families can be some of the most rewarding. Watching a child grow and knowing you’ve played a part in their early faith development is incredibly fulfilling, and is part of what God calls us to do. These bonds often last beyond the nursery, creating a sense of extended family within the church. As 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." These relationships become a testament to shared lives and shared faith, supporting our vision to coordinate Gospel-driven discipleship.
6. Strengthening Your Own Faith
Serving in the nursery is a tangible way to live out your faith. Jesus placed great importance on children, saying in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." By caring for the children, you follow His example and deepen your own spiritual journey. Seeing faith through the eyes of a child can renew your own faith and provide a fresh perspective on God's love and grace. This experience aligns with our mission to worship God and disciple others.
7. Supporting a Vital Church Ministry
The nursery is a cornerstone of our church’s ministry, supporting the broader mission of Starnes Cove Baptist by ensuring all members, regardless of age, are cared for and nurtured. Not only that, but you're helping parents in raising up the next generation of Christ followers— ultimately the next generation of the church. Your service here has a ripple effect, impacting not just the lives children, but their families and the entire congregation. 1 Corinthians 12:27 reminds us, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." By serving in the nursery, you play a vital role in the body of Christ, supporting and nurturing its youngest members, in line with our vision to update our context through refreshed church systems.
8. Learning Valuable Skills
From child development and first aid to leadership and teamwork, the skills you gain in the nursery are invaluable. These experiences not only benefit your service in the church but are also useful in many other areas of your life. Colossians 3:23 encourages us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." The skills you develop are a testament to your dedication and can enhance your overall effectiveness in serving others, which is central to our mission to disciple believers for service and outreach.
9. Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
A well-staffed, joyful nursery makes our church more welcoming to visitors, especially young families. First impressions matter, and when new families see that we prioritize their children’s care, they feel more at home and are more likely to return. Romans 15:7 tells us, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." By providing a warm, welcoming environment, you help embody this acceptance and hospitality, making our church a place of refuge and belonging for all, which is part of our vision to relationally evangelize our neighborhood, nation, and world.
10. Experiencing Joy and Fulfillment
There’s a unique joy in serving in the nursery. The smiles, laughs, and milestones of the children bring immense joy and reminds us of how good God is. Knowing that you’re contributing to their early faith journey and supporting their families is deeply rewarding. Psalm 127:3 says, "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." Experiencing the joy of serving these little ones is a reminder of this precious gift and the fulfillment that comes from being a part of their lives, aligning with our mission to worship God and bring people to Christ.
How to Get Involved
If these reasons resonate with you, we’d love for you to join our nursery team! Here’s how you can get started:
Get In Touch: Contact our church office at 828-667-1193, starnescovebc@gmail.com, or contact our Nursery Leader, Laura Smathers to express your interest. We’ll provide you with all the necessary information and steps to get started. When serving on the nursery team, you're serving on a rotation, with one other person, with typically 5 - 6 weeks between your rotation time, ensuring that you're able to still enage in corporate worship upstairs!
Training: We offer comprehensive training to ensure you feel confident and prepared to serve. This includes child safety protocols, emergency procedures, and tips for engaging with toddlers and babies.
Commitment: When serving on the nursery team, you're serving on a rotation, with one other person, with typically 5 - 6+ weeks between your rotation time, ensuring that you're able to still engage in corporate worship upstairs and not miss out on anything!
Serving in the Starnes Cove Baptist nursery is more than just childcare—it’s a ministry that touches lives and builds our church community. By offering your time and love, you’re making a lasting impact on the children and their families. We invite you to join us in this rewarding service and experience the many blessings it brings!
For more information or to volunteer, please reach out to our church office. We look forward to welcoming you to the nursery team!
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