The topic of conversation in the Awana circles during the summer of 2019 quickly switched from the new Discovery of Grace materials for T&T to the long delays being experienced to receive orders placed. Like in the Garden of Eden, there is a lot of “finger pointing” taking place. I have shared some of my thoughts on my social media channels, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts in more detail in a post. At the end of this post, I will share links to information and resources that Awana has provided to help you begin your club year well.
If you have doubts regarding shipping of products, read this article and get them clarified. Allow me to first preface my thoughts with a few things:
- I am not an apologist for Awana. if you have followed me for any length of time then you will know that I “call out” Awana (in love as best as I am able) when I deem it is appropriate.
- We need to enter this discussion noting that as a business, and as a ministry, the delays in shipment are unacceptable and there is no excuse for them. Leadership at Awana are not making excuses. They clearly acknowledge that this is unacceptable. They are embarrassed, frustrated, and apologetic which is why I have been somewhat quiet on the issue.
- I do not know all of the elements that have led to this, nor all of the discussions and actions to remedy it. Consequently some of my thoughts may be incorrect (and if so I will note and edit as necessitated) or ill-informed. Keep in mind that these are my thoughts from the knowledge and experience I have as well as observations. These are not “talking points” from Awana.
- I fully understand, as does Awana, the frustration that many are experiencing. I have been affected as well, though not to the scale that I have heard others are experiencing
On to my thoughts….
What led to this backlog? I have a few observations:
- The delay in receiving the new materials into the distribution center. This pushed availability of the new materials into the middle of August when many clubs are beginning their new Awana year.
- The inability to order new material until it was on the shelf.
- The delay in clubs placing their “big order” until the new material was in place. I cannot state for sure, but I would venture to say that orders received were down in July from previous years and then received a huge spike the first two weeks of August.
This is a direct correlation to the items not online to order. I understand larger churches delaying their order since they wanted to utilize the free shipping coupon for renewing their registration early. Shipping for larger churches can be hundreds of dollars and it is an attempt to be good stewards with funds. If new items were available to ordered online as back-ordered, then the bulk of orders could have been shipped in July prior to the log jam with the new material shipped as it arrived at the distribution center. - The earlier start time of many Awana clubs which combined with the above items, led to items needed quickly. Many clubs, years ago, would start after Labor Day in September. Now many clubs begin in mid-August which minimizes the time between the new Awana year (July 1st) and the start of their training and clubs.
- I will not comment about the distribution aspect as I have no personal connection to that operation.
What has Awana done to correct this situation?
- Know that Awana is actively working to remedy this situation.
- Awana has had discussions with the distribution center and they have added a second and third shift to process orders.
- Awana has tried to keep you updated on the status of distribution like with this latest video –
Order Shipment Update | 08.27.19 - Awana has provided the first four sections in the handbooks to help you get started. Is this a great solution? Maybe not, but Awana is doing what they can to get the materials to you. (See links below)
- ADDED – Awana has worked to correct the packing issues of shipments and recently switched from shipping economy USPS (a measure to save local churches shipping costs) to UPS Ground (as I noted in a post in my Awana Commander’s FB Group) for several reasons, one being to get packages to you quicker. For all orders already processed, this change has happened on Awana’s end with no cost impact to you (i.e. Awana absorbed any extra costs).
How to insure this does not happen in the future:
- Like everyone else, including Awana, I have several thoughts on this but a public forum is not the place to do it. I do not know all that Awana has discussed. I do not know all that the distribution center is doing. I do not know what is in the works to prevent this in the future. If Awana seeks input, then I will gladly share my thoughts privately with them.
What should our response be?
- How you react is key to the impact it has on the leaders, the parents, and the children in your ministry.
A few years ago I had an Awana Ministry Director complaining to me about the delay in receiving new T&T materials and how it would not be there in time for their scheduled training. I advised him, as I will advise you now, that you have two choices:- Understand that Awana often has delays as the new ministry year begins with new material and adapt, or
- Walk away from Awana
Yes I can be blunt at times. If you see Awana as the premier tool to reach children and youth with the Gospel, then work with them as they work with you to reach kids and get through this time. Sadly I see some using this as an excuse to walk away.
- It is okay to share frustration, in love, with Awana and your local missionary, even in Awana related Facebook groups to realize that you are not alone. Know that Awana understands more than you may realize.
We are teaching the children about grace and forgiveness. How can we teach that to the children IN Awana if we are unwilling to show it TO Awana? Will we as leaders accept the many apologies of Awana and their efforts to remedy the back log? It does not make the consequences go away, but it demonstrates our heart. Remember that we all fall short.
Yes, the frustration is real. We strive to do our best and the distribution issues make us, and Awana, “look bad” locally. I want to encourage you to seek how you can make the best of a bad situation.
I leave you with the following note from Awana (which I sent last night to my e-mail list) that they posted online.
A NOTE FROM AWANA…..
Let’s first start with the apology. We know that the shipping issue has caused much frustration, and we want you to know that we are so very sorry. And if people want, for ecommerce fulfillment look here and get the best shipping services. We know that many of your clubs have started without your materials and we want to say sorry and thank you for your patience and graciousness as we continue to work with our vendor to get your orders shipped out as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, we would like to extend an olive branch of sorts. We have scanned in the first four weeks of curriculum in all four translations for all of the different age groups. Below you will find individual links that you will be able to download most of what you need. We will be adding more stuff as it is scanned so periodically check back if you don’t see what you are looking for.
We are praying for your churches, your leaders, your parents, your clubbers, and we know that our God is bigger than this and He obviously has some great things in store for each and every one of us this year.
Thank you for your faithful service. You guys are the best!!
Here are the links: Cubbies / Sparks / T&T / Trek / Journey
Note from Commander BIll – If you do not see what you are looking for with the links above, Awana is working to add to them to help you get the resources you need to get you through this time. The T&T verse cards and the Cubbie refrigerator reminders can also be a great asset to help your clubbers learn the verses during this time and throughout the year. See the resource area on CommanderBill.net
A suggestion to possibly help next year – have the “free shipping” offer earlier in the summer. If that combines with ordering things that may be unavailable, most churches would do that big order earlier so they will have much of their materials in time. I made it just into the window – ordered the day the new T&T material was available thru customer service.
Bill, I appreciate your perspective and the call to extend grace to Awana in this time of transition. I suspect it has been frustrating to all involved: churches, families, every Awana employee, and the management at the new distribution provider.
I think I can identify another contributing factor. Five years ago Awana made the decision to create a 32-week curriculum. (My former church was a field-test site, so I experienced the change a year earlier than most.) That change necessitated the need for churches to lengthen their club-year, sometimes significantly. It simply wasn’t an option to add days to the end for some, so churches added those extra nights to the front end of the calendars. This then shortened the lead time to order and receive the needed curriculum, uniforms, and other supplies before the start of the club-year.
Thanks for your blog and Facebook groups! They help us stay informed and connected to other Awana leaders.
Can I just point out that the need for increased materials means an increased amount of children we ALL should be praying for? I’m not happy, I want our club’s items BUT thank GOD we have this problem!
Is the end in sight?? they are still processing our order from 9/5/19…. fortunately that was a fill in order and had done one earlier… but now we are out of almost every book…