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 Godâs 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 donât provide for them, they will become frustrated by the unrealistic expectations you have placed on them and will quit your ministry.
Donât 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 volunteerâs 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 | Leadership
Leaders are in a continual state of thinking and observation.
Unfortunately, many of our best ideas fall out of our brains because we are too busy to capture them.
How many times have we forgotten a potential game changer that would have increased our leadership ability?
In comes the idea journal.
Some people hate the idea of journaling but I promise this is a different concept. An idea journal differs from a diary, prayer journal, or blog because it is simply a way for you to capture and develop various ideas and observations you have throughout the day.
Utilizing an idea journal can help with your processes, systems, writing, teaching, and professional development.
- Bloggers and writers can use capture ideas and topics to reduce writerâs block.
- Preachers and teachers can benefit as they collect illustrations and contextualize their message to their culture.
- Managers can record insights gathered from conversations of employees.
In short, this is a bookmark for your brain. As you jot or type out a concept you have an easily accessible reference point for later.
An idea journal can be digital or hardcopy. I suggest using an app like Evernote and create a notebook specifically for your brain-dump or purchase a hardcopy Moleskine notebook to carry with you. I have been a fan of both for years and have had great success with a digital and hardcopy notebook.
Once you decide on your medium, the next step is to start recording.
Donât waste a lot of time creating a method. This should be a place that you can sketch an idea, write out a definition, or make a quick observation. If the system is too complex, you wonât be able to utilize it.
Here are some ways an idea journal will develop you as a leader.
Why You Need An Idea Journal
- Capture
Quickly capturing an idea creates a reference point for you to draw upon later. Instead of forgetting a wonderful idea, record it to expound on it later.
- Create
When you record ideas it allows your brain to marinate on a subject. The longer you are able to use your imagination, the better the final product with be. Creativity does not happen overnight, you need a period of time for inspiration and maturation.
- Critique
When you walk the sales floor or through the aisles you are continually observing how your company, employees, and systems work. Journaling will allow you to critique your processes and find ways to improve upon them.
- Captivate
I love dedicating a page to a single word or concept. That way as I see an example, definition or illustration for that word, I am able to capture its meaning played out in reality. I begin to be captivated by various aspects that I had never noticed before.
How are you capturing and developing ideas?
by Chase | Leadership
3 Reasons You Should Give the Gospel In Every Sermon
– Greg Stier
The more your congregation hears the Gospel the more clearly they can articulate it (and more non-believers will respond to it).
Should I Become An Intern?
– Chris Parker
Think God is calling you into student ministry? Here are a few options to consider.
When the Parent is the Bully
– The Children’s Ministry Blog
What do you do when the parents are causing the issues in your children’s ministry?
We Learn More When We Learn Together
– Orange Leaders
Creating a culture of learning benefits the entire team. Here are some resources to get your team started.
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 donât 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 Godâs 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 groupâs 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.
Donât 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, âAm I protecting the program or providing for people?â
- You Are Unwilling To Submit To The Church’s Leadership
If you are questioning every decision simply because you donât want it done âtheir wayâ 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 donât 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 | Leadership
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., here are eight influential quotes from a man who stood for his convictions, even in the face of adversity. To learn more about Dr. King, head to The King Center website.
8 Influential Quotes From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âFaith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âLife’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?ââ â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âLove is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âIf you canât fly then run, if you canât run then walk, if you canât walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âThe time is always right to do what is right.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âWe will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Â âI have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- âDarkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.â â Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Chase | Leadership
This is a post (used with permission) by Jon Koloff, Worship Arts Pastor at First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio and blogger at jonkoloff.com. To view his original post, click here.
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One of the best things about worship music is its ability to proclaim truth. When we get together to worship, we profess the truth of who God is and what He has done. We proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; we declare the gospel. We sing of His power, faithfulness, grace, love, goodness, mercy, and on and on.
But we also lie a lot in worship. Just the title of a song like âI Surrender Allâ shows us that. Or lyrics like, âAll my heart is yours,â âSpirit lead me where my trust is without borders,â âWhere You go, Iâll go,â âMy heart will sing no other Name, Jesus, Jesus,â âIn Christ alone my hope is found,â and we could probably do this for most songs that we sing. I know, at least for me (and I think for everyone), that I cannot sing âAll my heart is yoursâ and have it be true. I havenât surrendered to Jesus in every area of my life, I donât really want him to lead me beyond what I can trust, I donât really want to go wherever He leads, my heart focuses on a lot of other things than Jesus, and my hope is not truly in Jesus alone.
We even often lie when we sing true things about God. We sing that God is faithful in every circumstance, but our thoughts and actions prove that we donât really believe that. We shout out his power and strength, but we donât live like He is bigger than any circumstance. We sing of the transformative power of the gospel, but we still sin every single day.
So should we not sing these lyrics because they arenât true of us? No, because to put it simply, God doesnât want our words, He wants our hearts.
I believe thereâs something prophetic about worship music. I can sing âAll my heart is yoursâ to Jesus and be authentic because even though it is not true of me right now, I desire it to be. Thereâs something about proclaiming the gospel, proclaiming truth, proclaiming that we surrender, that actually begins to make it happen.
Thereâs a song by Elevation Worship called Great Things (Worth It All). A lyric in the song says, âThank You for the lonely times.â To be honest, at this season in my life, I canât thank Jesus for the lonely times and mean it. Iâm not thankful for being lonely, but I sing those lyrics anyway, because I want them to be true of me. I want to one day be able to say âThank You for the lonely times,â because You showed me Your faithfulness, because I was drawn closer to You, and because I heard Your voice in the silence.
You may have heard this idea when talking about spiritual disciplines, that even if you donât necessarily want to pray, do it; or want to read your Bible, do it anyway. Because if you are faithful in those things, the Spirit will work in them and eventually change your heart to where you want to do them.  I think it can be the same with the words we sing in worship. We have the opportunity to proclaim things that may not be true at the time, but that we desire to be, and then have the Spirit begin to change our hearts and minds.
So you might be in a place where you doubt Godâs goodness, but sing about it anyway. You may not agree right now that His faithfulness never ends, but sing about it anyway. Maybe you havenât surrendered your whole heart to Jesus, but sing about it anyway. You may not have decided to follow Jesus anywhere, but sing about it anyway. I do every Sunday. I can promise that if you truly desire these things to be true of you, the Spirit will work to bring them about.
I love the way The Message version translates Psalm 51:16-17, âGoing through the motions doesnât please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love donât for a moment escape Godâs notice.â God doesnât want our words, our performance, our great singing, our musical skill, He wants our hearts.Â
So come to worship and just offer your heart. Sing prophetically, sing for what is to come. If youâre in a place where you canât worship because youâre hurting, because you doubt Godâs faithfulness, because you canât see His goodness, I want to invite you to come worship anyway. You have never and will never escape Godâs notice. He wants to meet with you in worship, even if you donât think youâre ready, or good enough, or surrendered enough, thatâs ok, He just wants your heart.
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This is a post (used with permission) by Jon Koloff, Worship Arts Pastor at First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio and blogger at jonkoloff.com To view the original post, click here.
