Training Your Replacement
by Valarie Fish
I’ve been a full-time caregiver for my mother-in-law now for the last 4 years. Her most recent hospital stay landed her in rehab again, this time for a more extended period. I stop in or call to check in every day. I want to know the people taking care of her are doing things right – i.e. the way I would do things! I pray every day for the people who take care of her and there is a part of me that wishes I could be involved in their training. After all, I know her well and I want them to know her and love her the way I love her! I want to train my replacement caregiver.
When I was a young mom, I remember how excited my kids were to be going to kindergarten. I was excited too but as I dropped them off, I realized I was entrusting my children to the care of another person. They don’t know my child the way I know my child. What if the teachers don’t do it right – i.e. the way I would do things! I want to train my replacement influencer.
When I visit churches, I often hear people lament the drop in attendance and participation. To the precious gray-haired lady who is tired and ready to let the younger ones take over some of the responsibilities that you have done well for so many years – by all means, get ready to enjoy your retirement: as soon as you train your replacement.
At our church there is a precious lady that always takes care of the kitchen. She knows how many towels and potholders and serving utensils are in the drawers and she notices when they are missing. Her service may seem unimportant but not too long ago she was sick and absent for several months. No one else knew how to find anything! We ran out of paper plates. Used dishrags got stacked in a cabinet for “someone” to wash but no one knew who that someone should be. Eventually, several other ladies tried to step in and figure things out, but the struggle was evident. Now that our kitchen coordinator is back on her feet, we need to have her show someone her system. She needs to train her replacement.
God has designed women to be caregivers and servants by example of the next generation of the church. We are the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and teachers for every child that comes into our sphere of influence. We are familiar with the teaching of Paul in Titus chapter 2 where the older women are to teach the younger women. What does that even look like in your life?
Step 1: Evaluate your degree of service and commitment. Are you a leader or a follower? Do you faithfully hold to the behind-the-scenes service of prayer, attendance, volunteering and encouragement or are you the one who organizes the events and activities of your organization?
Step 2: Think ahead. If you were unable to do what you do, would someone else know how to do what you do? Whether sudden or expected, is there someone who can step in and execute your plans or perform your duties?
Step 3: Find your replacement and start training! Get to know the people in your sphere of influence and be intentional about sharing what you do.
I have worked for many years with the BMA auxiliaries of WMA and GMA. I am passionate about teaching others how to study the Bible and apply the lessons of the Bible to everyday life. That is my calling and through the years I have poured into hundreds of girls through the GMA program and my opportunities to speak and share with GMA and WMA groups. This is how I will find and train my replacement.
If you are not sure how to find your replacement, start with your immediate circle of influence – your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. Then reach out to neighboring circles – the kids that come through your church programs or live in your neighborhood or younger couples that you know.
You may need to pour into multiple people to find one who will replace you but I promise that the effort is worth it! By the way, there is an official name for training your replacement – it is called DISCIPLESHIP.
