Celebrating Team

Tonight is our COMMUNITY Staff Christmas party.  I always love this event.  As our staff has grown, it feels a bit like an annual family reunion...a chance for everyone and their spouses to get together to enjoy a meal, many laughs, and to celebrate another year of seeing God do amazing things at COMMUNITY.

Every year I spend the afternoon before the party writing Christmas cards to our Kids' City staff.  I have to tell you when I do this I feel overwhelmed by the incredible people God has placed on our team.  They are talented leaders who do a terrific job leading the ministry God has entrusted them with.  But more than what they do, I'm am so impressed by who they are.  They are the real deal.  Genuine people who sacrifice and selflessly serve (sometimes without much recognition) to make a difference in the lives of kids at COMMUNITY and the volunteers who lead them.  Here's a few things I see in these incredible people:

• They are all about the team.  I can't tell you the number of times I've seen them help each other out on a project.  They always have each other's back.  They love to go out to lunch together.  They care for not only the professional concerns but the personal concerns in each other's lives.
• They have no egos.  I'm sure that can't possibly be 100% true (after all, they are human), but I always see them making choices for the good of the team and the kids and volunteers they serve.  It's never about them.  A pretty impressive thing to observe in their lives.  And something I don't take lightly (mostly because at times pride is a major struggle in my own life).  I truly admire them for their humilty.  And I try to honor that by only hiring people onto this team who get this value.
• They have a "whatever it takes" attitude.  They truly get "leading with a 'YES.'"  They work many more hours than they are compensated for and do so with a cheerful and engaged heart.  They are driven by the mission. 

I don't take the opportunity to lead them for granted.  I know that sometimes being the "boss" can give people ulcers, but I can truly say that leading this staff team is an incredible blessing.  So "Merry Christmas" to the best Kids' City Staff on the planet!  I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with you tonight!

Comments

[Anthony Coppedge]

Kudos for celebrating with your staff and lay leaders. It's uplifting to read about your respect and admiration for a committed bunch of folks you treasure.

[Doug]

Tammy, well said. Kid's City is great, well run and staffed with a bunch of dedicated people. And time and time again you hear people say that the fact that their kids loved Kid's City is a main thing that helped them pick Community as their church. Thanks to your staff and you, their leader! You see the care and dedication in all they do. Thank you and please thank them. Have fun tonight.

Doug