To develop a solid C.O.R.E. of volunteers, we leaders must:
- Call people to ministry
- Organize people for ministry
- Relate with people outside of ministry
- Equip people to do ministry.
Calling people to ministry.
Calling people to ministry can be done, no matter what their skill level or place on the spiritual journey. Service can heal some people, for others service can bring people closer to the "servant of all," Jesus Christ. Service in a Kingdom cause is a tool for discipleship and evangelism.Jesus calls us all from the comfort level of the shores, out into the deep of service. "Follow me and I will make you (to become) fishers of men. (Mark 1:17) Most interesting in this verse, are two things. First, there is a model for service. Jesus will not leave you alone on the journey, He is prepared take the lead position, guiding you out. Second, the journey of service is a process. The volunteer will not always have all the knowledge to complete the tasks assigned at a 100% skill level, but will gain skill along the way. The one who follows must be willing to walk and willing to learn.
As the leader, the undershepherd, in order to begin this process of training and deploying volunteers (remembering that a local congregation is a voluntary organization, you can't staff everything out!) you must ask your self two questions:
Question # 1 - What is your skill set?
Question # 2 - What is NOT in your skill set?
So, we have to let go of total ministry ownership and allow others ownership. John C. Maxwell (remember him?) says that in delegating ministry, you must be happy with the 98%. People are unique and are going to do things a bit differently than you do. You need to give 2% task accomplishment away - to give the volunteer some flexiblity in completing the delegated task. Identify clearly what is your 2% for each task - for your own soul sanity!
In order to stay in your sweet spot, you are going to have to become very clear about what you do, and what you have to delegate to staff, either paid or unpaid. Because if it is all about you, it will never grow bigger than you.
It's not about me.
It's not about you either.
It's about we.
Service is essential to growth in the congregation. Service is the hallmark of Jesus.
Therefore, we must teach on service from the Scriptures. Looking the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11 and other place in the Bible, most of the great servants underwent a process to get "there." Each had a moment where the call was undeniable, and they were so motivated by the needs of the Kingdom, that they responded as did Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord. Send me."
We must ask people to step up to ministry regularly.
Make a "BIG ASK" - make it a spiritual challenge. The REVEAL study, conducted by Willow Creek, reports that Spiritual Challenge is the most important ingredient in spiritual growth at every place in the spiritual journey. Spiritual Challenge is reported as being more central in the life of a believer than pastoral care. Though you will make general calls to ministry from the pulpit, you will have to make strategic asks to individuals. It seems right now that many of my collegagues are preaching their "servant series" right now, getting ready for the Fall push into ministry. You have probably preached one of "those" sermons, out of weariness, desparation and frustration, and needed to take a shower afterwards! Instead of making those desparate pleas:
1) Have a regular mission emphasis
We have had quarterly guests to talk about their ministry and make calls for volunteer support. To actually give everyone a "high-grace / low-risk " ministry experience, we have also used the 5th Sunday of the month as a "Mission Sunday" and planned an outreach of some kind for an all-congregation event. Then I would make personal contacts to those who became consistent in missing 5th Sundays!
2)Conduct a mission fair
Have each ministry in the congregation put together a booth to give potential volunteers a chance to see the different ministries up close and personal.
As part one of this post comes to a close, we have to go back to the big questions.
What is in your skill set? Do that.
What is not in your skill set? Don't do that.
(and if you can't chuck it yet, make a plan to give it away.)
What must you give away, so that others can thrive in their area of gifting? Make that strategic ASK today!
More to follow. Be blessed today,
pax Christi,
sp
