by Chase | Kid Min, Student Min
Your best leader could be on his way out of your ministry.Â
How do I know? Because they are susceptible to burn out like the rest of us.
Everyone’s schedules are too packed and stretched too thin. If you are not overwhelmed you might be a toddler — even middle school students are overwhelmed with sports and homework.
And if you are not careful, your leaders and staff might walk out on your ministry because of burnout.
Growing up, my dad worked in retail overseeing many employees and hiring.
I remember a nugget of wisdom he told me when I was in high school:
Your best employees are the ones who quit. Your uninvested employees are the ones who are fired.Â
He went on to explain that your best employees are the ones you give the most important tasks and responsibilities because you know that they will get them done. They will work longer hours, take on more stress, and endure hardships to ensure the job gets done.
As a supervisor, you NEED these people. Sure you are concerned with your employee’s well being, but after all you have deadlines and quotas to hit like everyone else.
So you pile the responsibility on your best workers.
– Your less invested leaders are happy because they have less work.
– Your key contributors are slowly dying because of the unrealistic demands.
– Your great workers will continue with a large portion of the responsibility for a while, but they eventually move on to a better opportunity.
This has always stuck with me.
The principle isn’t a universal truth, but a problem we must analyze as church leaders:Â
Your best leaders have the greatest potential to leave your ministry.Â
And it could partially be your fault.
While we do not sell a product, a church’s mission is of eternal importance.
Church leaders feel the pressure of school and family schedules, innovative events, and managing volunteers. Eternity is on the line!
As we attempt to do more ministry with less resources (finances, time, and leaders) we put a large load of ministry on the few we know will get it done.
There are certain people who will naturally be more productive than others. Not to say your other leaders are evil, but during different seasons people’s schedules shift.
My leaders who are teachers have more time in the summer to help out and almost none during the school year. I have to realize this and ensure that they are not overwhelmed by the expectations I place on them.
Here are 4 steps to retain your top leaders:
1. Recruit more leaders
If your ministry is growing, make sure you are adding new leaders throughout the school year. Few people love volunteer management, but it is a necessary part of church ministry. If you fail to recruit new volunteers, your seasoned leaders will burnout from the growing demands of ministry.Â
Pray for them.
Engage them.
Screen them.
Train them.
Send them out to serve.Â
2. Remove some leaders
Do you have a few leaders who are under-committed, uninvested, or disengaged? — Let them go.
This does not have to be negative. Everyone needs a vacation and break from time to time.
An offer for someone to take a break is normally received as a welcomed gift. Why would you want to keep them on a team that they are not invested in?Â
3. Refuel your leaders
Your leaders need fuel throughout the year. This goes beyond encouraging cards and recognition during worship services, you must invest spiritually in your leader’s hearts and souls. Jesus will comfort and energize them more than you could ever imagine. Prayer, encouragement, and communication are the three tanks that fuel your leaders.Â
4. Restructure your ministry
Is your communication strategy flawed? Do you have a ton of pointless meetings that could have happened via email? Are your events pointing to your church’s mission/vision or are you simply doing what you have always done? Have the leader responsibilities effectively been communicated?
Planning ahead will help eliminate last minute problems that are often put on your leader’s shoulders.
Side note:Â When you do forget and something is last minute, you take the hit and complete that task. Â As my mom has always said-Â Your lack of planning is not another person’s emergency.Â
Your best leaders are the ones with the greatest potential of leaving your ministry.
What are you doing to protect your leaders and ensure that they are not running out of fuel?
by Chase | How To, Kid Min, Student Min
One Saturday evening not too long ago, Molly decided her life would never be the same. For the first time, she was truly excited about God.
During an amazing weekend retreat Jesus seemed to be closer to her than ever before.
- She finally felt God’s love for her.
- She let go of her guilt over past decisions and embraced what Jesus did for her.
- She developed new friendships with strong Christians.
When she headed home, she was ready to make drastic changes in her life, friendships, and habits. But by midweek, she felt herself slipping away from Jesus.
Once full of hope and excitement about what Jesus could do in her life, Molly has now settled back into her old habits and friendships. She knows life can be different, but she has lost her excitement for God.
Have you ever met someone like Molly?
Perhaps you have had the same experience as Molly – during a retreat you experienced God like never before, but shortly after your passion seemed to slip away.
How to Stay Excited About God – Even When the Retreat is Over
Churches can leverage retreats and events to bring people closer to God, but there must be a plan for maintaining their spiritual passion when they return home.
- Discipleship is ongoing.
- Spiritual growth requires daily investment.
- Developing spiritual disciplines takes intentionality.
The bottom line: Event based discipleship does not develop disciples.
From my vantage point as a family pastor and former staff member at a Christian camp and retreat facility, I have seen tens of thousands of people draw near to Jesus.
My hope and prayer is that those same people will continue to draw near to God when they step back into their day-to-day lives.
Four Essential Habits to Build After a Retreat
Maintain Community with Believers
Retreats force you to journey with other people who are actually seeking Jesus. If you want to maintain your closeness with God when you return to your normal life, you’ve got to make friends with others who want to do the same.
How many people in your close circle of friends are excited about God?
Maintain a Spirit of Worship
When I worked at a camp, I did a lot of mundane and seemingly unspiritual things every day. I mowed fields, used a weed eater for hours, gathered supplies, and did safety checks. But I was also continually reminded that by doing all of those things, kids would be able to hear about Jesus. And that allowed me to take an attitude of worship into tasks that were not directly related to sharing about Jesus.
How can you develop a lifestyle of worship in your workplace, class, or family?
Maintain Daily Spiritual Disciplines
Retreats have Bible study time scheduled for you. Your typical schedule is not that kind. Everything and everybody wants your time. You have to make time for prayer, Bible study, worship, and service.
What spiritual discipline comes to mind as your biggest struggle? What steps can you take to change?
Maintain a “God is Going to Show Up” Mentality
For someone who is already a Christian, you usually go to a retreat knowing that God is going to do something. Significant time, money, energy, and planning go into every aspect of the event – it is structured to allow the time and space for participants to practice spiritual disciplines, be surrounded by people who also want to grow closer to God, and bring worship to God.
Do you usually approach life hopeful and expectant for God to work in you and use you?
It’s your turn now. What changes do you need to make in your daily routine and/or attitude to bring back your excitement for God?
by Chase | Kid Min, Leadership
It’s official, my son is addicted to his cell phone.
Before you think that I am the worst parent in the world for allowing my 3-year-old son to have a cell phone, don’t fret. It is an awesome Spiderman toy flip phone.
The buttons make noise.
It is bright red.
A few nights ago, I sat down at the dinner table with my family and let Tripp know that he could grab a toy to bring to the table while we ate. He returned with a proud smile on his face and laid his Spiderman cell phone down on the table beside his dinner plate.
I didn’t think much of it until he interrupted me to tell me his Nana was calling. Holding the toy phone up to his ear, he enjoyed a nice 30-second make-believe conversation.
A few minutes later he interrupted my wife and said, “Wait! I need to take a video of Brooke eating her food to send it to Grandmama!”
My wife and I sat in amazement as he perfectly held the phone up to take a “video” of our daughter while she ate broccoli.
Time after time that evening he kept reaching for his phone pretending to answer calls, look up videos, and text people.
As we sat down to watch TV that evening he ran to get his phone and told me he needed it close by in case someone called him.
In a matter of one evening, my son showed me that he is clearly addicted to his “phone.”
This is what I thought until I realized who he has learned this from.
Tripp’s behavior has been extremely telling of how I carry my phone through the house.
I set my phone on our kitchen table while we eat. I carry my phone around my house in case someone calls me. I constantly post on social medias. I even play funny videos for him.
The truth is that my son isn’t addicted to a cell phone … I am.
Our kids are constantly watching our every move. Even the smallest actions are being processed and perfected in their little minds.
You can’t fool your kids! They know what is important to you. Their core values of life will be learned by your actions, not your words. This goes for their spiritual life and personal development. Kids will learn what it means to be an adult by examining the way you live your life.
Nothing on this planet can replace the influence (negative or positive) that a parent has on his/her children.
As Anne and I laughed about the situation we decided that there were some changes that we needed to make to ensure our kids have a healthy view of technology, social medias, and connectivity. So from now on, for starters, I will not have my cell phone sitting on the dining room table as we eat meals.
Trust me, I need to be connected! But the connection has to be with my kids and not my phone.
While Tripp is still playing with his cell phone, he has noticed that mine is not around as much.
What habits are your kids starting to notice in you?
by Chase | Kid Min, Leadership, Student Min
One of the hardest aspects of leadership is to create a culture where volunteers take ownership of the mission of the ministry.
And if you are a leader that is halfway worth his/her salt, you understand the importance of your volunteers taking ownership.
Ownership can take on various forms and even look different for different people, but it is rooted in our volunteers realizing and fulfilling their roles in God’s mission for the church — to make disciples in our cities, states, nations, and the world.
While this is our desire, often our volunteers’ ownership is attached to everything but the mission!
Over time, allegiance shifts away from the mission and starts to cling to the building, rooms, programs, or committees.
Your church will never move forward until your people take ownership.
It’s likely your volunteers have a heart to see God’s mission reign supreme in their local church. They simply need someone (YOU) to cast the vision and equip them to think, lead, and serve differently.
As I have been attempting to shift this mindset in our church, I have realized that I am responsible for more than charting the course. As the leader, I am responsible for preparing our volunteers for the journey.
Call it equipping.
Call it training.
Call it whatever you would like, but the truth is that you have to provide for every step of their journey.
Here are a few areas you have to provide before your leaders will take ownership.
Three Ways To Prepare Your Volunteers To Take Ownership
- Leaders Must Provide Resources
If you expect your volunteers to take ownership, you have to supply them with quality resources. Failure to supply is failure to equip.
Volunteers need the assurance that you are going to cover the financial costs, invest your own time, provide necessary supplies, and train them appropriately for them to get the job done.
If you don’t provide for them, they will become frustrated by the unrealistic expectations you have placed on them and will quit your ministry.
Don’t throw your volunteers in the game without the proper equipment.
Want them to send cards to new visitors? Provide cards and postage. Want Bible studies for kids to be creative? Stock a central supply room and provide instructions. Want youth leaders to bond with students outside of Bible study time? Organize some structured activities to get the ball rolling.
- Leaders Must Provide Energy
Does your ministry give or take energy from your volunteers?
I understand serving is hard work, but is your ministry sucking the life out of your leaders? Do you experience constant turnover?
Don’t overlook the need for positive energy in your ministry. You are the key spokesperson for your ministry. You must create a volunteer culture that is known for its fun, creativity, and purpose.
Two easy ways to create this culture is to celebrate (encourage) wins and clearly/consistently communicate lessons, events, and updates. Nothing kills a volunteer’s energy than receiving a lesson one day before they are supposed to teach. If you do your part to be prepared, your volunteers can do theirs.
- Leaders Must Provide Protection
When you fulfill your responsibilities, you protect your leaders.
No one likes correcting misalignments, enforcing policies, or asking hazardous participants to leave. But guess what? As a leader this is YOUR job. When you avoid making hard decisions you put your volunteers in a bad spot.
Volunteers shouldn’t be expected to run new check-in system and defend its validity to parents because you didn’t communicate why the system is important. Similarly, volunteers shouldn’t be expected to continue running a program that isn’t going well and needs realignment because you don’t feel like making a tough call.
When you avoid your responsibilities, you are not protecting your volunteers’ time, energy, and effort.
When you fulfill your responsibilities your volunteers will take ownership.
What are other key provisions a leader can make for his/her volunteers to make their experiences better and their ministry more effective?Â
by Chase | Kid Min, Leadership, Student Min
Smart leaders understand that there will be a time where they will need to step back and take a break from their role. In the simplest form this is why our employers offer vacation time. They understand that we work better when we are refreshed.
The same applies to church volunteers.
Every now and again volunteers simply need a break from serving.
Unfortunately, most people will not take a break because they feel guilty that they are giving up their post in the church.
Now I will say deciding to take an indefinite break from serving in the church is unbiblical and sinful! You should not do that!
God gifted you uniquely to serve others so that they may glorify Jesus. I don’t think the majority of volunteers serving in church are looking to quit serving forever.
[Read:Â 16 Ministry Quotes That Will Encourage You To Keep Serving]
However, most volunteers are not looking for a way out, they are simply looking to catch their breath.
Think of this concept as a sabbatical from serving. Albeit this is a short sabbatical, but the principals hold true. Sabbaticals are meant to re-energize, re-focus, and renew leaders so they can jump back into ministry.
When our volunteers are spiritually refreshed our ministries are positively impacted.
Wondering if you need a mini-sabbatical from serving?
Here are 6 signs that you need a break from serving at church:
- You Are In A Spiritual Drought
Are you lacking in spiritual passion, growth, and excitement?
Trying to serve the church when you are spiritually dry means you’re trying to do God’s work in your power. This always leads to burnout.
- You Dread Attending Church
Do you dread attending your church?
Are you avoiding people when you walk in the door, hoping to make it to your group’s room unnoticed then slip out the back door when worship is over?
Whether there is a broken relationship, unconfessed sin, or burnout, dreading church attendance causes negative emotions towards God’s church and His people.
- You Are Convinced No One Can Do What You Do
In your mind, you are indispensable. Without you, the church would fall apart!
When you start thinking you are essential it causes an arrogant view of yourself and leads to a small view of Jesus.
Don’t forget, Jesus is the head of the church (not you) and He builds and sustains His church (once again, not you).
- You Are Serving In Too Many Ministries
When you are spread too thin, you will eventually fail at all of your responsibilities.
It might be time for you to stop focusing on every ministry the church has to offer and see how God has uniquely gifted you to serve in one or two ministries. When you narrow your focus you are able to invest more deeply.
- You Are More Concerned With The Process Than The People
When your focus shifts from ministering to the people to maintaining a program, you might need to take a break and ask God to give you a renewed vision and mission.
An easy tell is to ask the question, “Am I protecting the program or providing for people?”
- You Are Unwilling To Submit To The Church’s Leadership
If you are questioning every decision simply because you don’t want it done “their way” then it is time for you to take a step back from serving.
There is no room for pride in the local church.
Here is how to take a break
- Communicate with Your Leadership that You Need a Break
A strong leader will understand and respect your decision and help make accommodations while you step back. Make sure that you stay in contact and set a definite time period for your rest.
- Continue to Attend Worship
If you need a break from serving take one, but don’t take a break from church. You are created to worship. Skipping out on corporate worship and small groups will only contribute to your spiritual drought.
Prayer has a unique way of encouraging and correcting us. Resting in Jesus means we commune with Him.
- Consider Your Talents and Giftedness
You might feel burned out because you were not serving in the correct area. Taking a break from serving will allow you to gain some clarity.
- Return with a Renewed Spirit
When you are ready, hop back into serving the ministry. But before you get too deep, remember what contributed to your burnout and establish some boundaries on the front end.
Now What?Â
Taking a strategic step back can set you up for some awesome ministry down the road.
So step back, take a couple week sabbatical, and prepare for God to use you for 40 more years in the local church.
by Chase | How To, Kid Min, Student Min
Family ministry leaders are constantly sharing the bigger vision with their volunteers.
No matter how you communicate it, many volunteers seem to miss the point.
Before you question their commitment, heart for the ministry, or intentions, answer this question:
What is the best way to make your vision stick?
While I have trained our leaders in a variety of ways (guest facilitators, email trainings, online discussions, and the most boring way – meetings) the best way for your leaders to capture vision is to see that vision working firsthand.
Firsthand experience is the BEST way to make your vision stick.
Now you may be wondering, “How do I get my team to experience my vision firsthand?”
I’m sure you can come up with some creative ways for your team to see, smell, touch, and experience the vision for your ministry. Good for you, but I’m not that creative.
One of the most humbling realizations is that you do not have everything figured out! Especially in church ministry, there are plenty of people who are more creative, more organized, and more administrative than you are.
Why not channel in some of their expertise and extend it to your volunteers?
Here is the easiest way for your leaders to catch your vision:
Take leaders to see other ministry spaces and meet other thinkers.
Seriously. Pick a day on the calendar, load your volunteers into a church van, and visit a few area churches that are great at certain aspects of your vision. This works for preschool, kids, student, college, and camping ministries!
Here is how I facilitate a ministry field trip:
- Pick a Field Trip Day
I try to see when the majority of my leaders can attend. I know that I will never have 100% attendance (and we have nearly 100 volunteers which would make this impossible). I take those who can attend knowing their excitement will be contagious for the rest.
- Schedule 2-3 Churches
Call 2-3 churches that you know of and respect and see if they would give your team an hour and a half to visit with the family pastor and tour the facilities. Plan your route before hand and make sure you leave in time to travel between churches.
- Load Up the Van and GO!
Make a big deal about the trip. Remember, you are taking them on a journey to see your vision in action. Most of your church members have not visited another church in YEARS because they have been serving at your church.
- Meet with the Family Pastor
Allow the family pastor at the church you visit to share their vision, mission, and schedule with your team. Let them ask some questions. When they see your ideas are being utilized around the area to reach people for Jesus, they will be less defensive when you implement change.
- Tour the Facilities
Look in the classrooms, check out the worship center, take some promotional materials, and snap some pictures. You never know what ideas your team will come up with as you tour another facility.
- Eat Lunch Together
I use this time to laugh, hang out, and debrief. Remember, this might be the first church your volunteer has visited in 5 years! Get their thoughts and make sure to plant the ministry’s vision in their minds and heart.
- Send a “Thank You” Note to the Church
Express your appreciation and fill them in on the highlights of your field trip. Let them know how beneficial their hospitality is to the ministry of your church.
- Get to Work
What action items do you have from your field trip? Make sure you communicate with everyone (including those who were not able to attend) and strike while the iron is hot!
Now What?Â
Have you taken any ministry field trips? How did it benefit your team?
