In the world of church and non profit organizations volunteers are the people who make things happen. Although, it’s important that we recruit people based on ability and not just availability. If there is one thing I’ve come to realize (sometimes the hard way) it’s that a high caliber volunteer can add significant value to your ministry, but the wrong volunteer can have a negative impact on the entire team. So, here are a few things to look for when recruiting volunteers.
1. Proven Track Record - Have they been faithful in the small stuff?
2. Pure Motives - Do they have a hidden agenda or is their heart in the right place?
3. Problem Solver - Do they complain or do they bring solutions to the table?
4. Cool Under Pressure - How do they respond in high stress situations?
5. Good with People - Are they good with people (other volunteers, parents, guests)?
6. Goes the Extra Mile - Do they take ownership of their role and hand it off in better condition than when it was given to them?
What are some things that you look for in volunteers?
Here’s a list of five quotes that have crossed my path over the last week that I thought I would pass along.
Do you have any to share?
Those in ministry can sometimes be the most susceptible to losing their passion and zeal for God and people. It is very easy to become a “professional minister” or to work in full-time ministry yet have a part-time devotion to God. I have personally experienced this in my own life, completely blind to the condition of my heart. To be completely honest I am still recovering from this and have to be on constant guard.
Here are some symptoms to be on the look out for in your own life:
These are only a few, but I think you get the point. It’s important to remember that God is more concerned about having a relationship with you than the “success” of your ministry role. If you can identify with any of these symptoms then I would challenge you to get on your knees before God and ask him to restore a love for him and a love for people. For God to use you greatly, you must first love him deeply.
I recently finished Fathered By God: Learning What Your Dad Could Never Teach You by John Eldredge.
Personally I found this a very good book. As a matter of fact I think I will go as far as saying that it ranks in my top 10 personal favorites. Some of it may have to do with the stage of life that I am currently in and also the fact that I didn’t have much of a father figure in my life growing up. Although, regardless of your stage of life and background I would highly recommend this book. Here’s just a few things I took away from this book:
Go here to purchase this book. I hope it impacts you as much as it did me.
It is important that we constantly examine our motives for leading others. Leadership is a stewardship and a responsibility that you and I will be held accountable for. I believe that our motivation for leading should be to serve and help others. To be honest, it takes a secure person to use the influence that God has granted them and use it for the good of others. I know for me that I have to constantly examine myself in this area. So today I encourage you to not just lead, but lead with the right motivation.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Mark 10:45 NIV
Christmas has come and gone and if you’re like me you probably have a few gift cards in your wallet with only a few dollars or even a few cents left on it. Did you know that you can take those leftover gift cards and give them to people in need? There is a website called, giftcardgiver.com that tells you how to do just that.
Here’s all you do:
Write how much is left on your card using a permanent marker.
Place the card in an envelope and send it to:
Gift Card Giver
PO Box 17920
Atlanta, GA 30316
100% of the money goes to helping people in need. So take some time to send in your leftover gift card today.
This morning I felt challenged to stop talking and just listen. I once heard someone say that God gave us two ears and one mouth because He wants us to listen twice as much as we speak. So, over the next 21 days I am going to put all blogging, tweeting and other forms of social networking on hold and just sit back and observe. Enough said.
My wife and I are joining with our church in a 21 day fast from January 10th - 31st. During this time I am chooseing to do the Daniel Fast and periodically fast entire meals for extended times of prayer and Bible reading.
“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2, 3
I am expecting God to do great things in our lives over the next three weeks. I have set my expectations extremely high. I know that during these 21 days I will be making some significant sacrifices because I highly enjoy good food. It has been said that sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love even more. If you know me you know that I “love” food, but I believe that what God wants to do over the next 21 days is greater than any meal or indulgence I would ever experience.
I encourage you to consider joining with me in fasting, even if it’s a single meal or activity. If you do, I believe God will exceed your expectations and satisfy a hunger that only He can satisfy.
I look forward to what God is going to do over the next 21 days.
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“I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.” — African proverb
The one book that has had the greatest impact on shaping my approach to ministry is, Seven Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Lane Jones and Reggie Joiner. I highly recommend that you put this on your reading list. Much of the content of this book is included in a series of free recorded audio discussions. Below I have included links to download each discussion. I hope that you take the time to listen to these and I also hope that they challenge your approach to ministry so that 2011 may be the most effective year you have experienced yet.
Even the best team can’t score if it can’t find home plate. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of clearly defining wins at every level of your organization.
Before you start anything, make sure it takes you where you want to go. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of a clear ministry strategy.
The longer a ministry operates, the more complex it becomes. In order to maintain a winning organization, we must continually face the challenge of narrowing its focus.
People are bombarded by thousands of messages every week. If the local church is going to be effective, it must cut through the noise. It must learn to say only what needs to be said to the people who need to hear it.
Why don’t the unchurched people in your area go to church? Could it be because you’re focusing on who you’re trying to keep instead of who you’re trying to reach?
We are all replaced eventually. The wisest leaders will extend their influence by finding and mentoring their replacements.
All of us work in ministry every day, but is that enough? Working on your ministry requires time to evaluate your work and to celebrate your wins.
I subscribe to several blogs and all of them are really great (that’s why I subscribe to them), but I thought I would share my top 10 from 2010. These are the blogs that I have gotten the most out of on a consistent basis over the past year.
1. Brad Lomenick - Brad is the director of Catalyst. He writes about leadership, creativity, innovation, social media, teamwork, and personal growth. Be sure and check out Catablog the blog for Catalyst.
2. Coach Shef - A blog by Tom Shefchunas. He is the multi-campus director of Middle School at North Point Community Church. He writes a lot about systems and processes.
3. chrisbrogan.com - Chris Brogan consults and speaks professionally with Fortune 100 and 500 companies he blogs on how to improve online business communications like marketing and PR.
4. MacLakeOnline.com - Mac Lake is the Chief Launch Officer of The Launch Network, a Church Planting Network. Mac writes about personal growth and leadership.
5. Michael Hyatt’s Blog - Michael is the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. He writes on leadership, productivity, publishing, and social media.
6. ronedmondson.com - Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader who blogs on leadership, church, strategy and life.
7. Seeds - This is a collaborative blog from the staff of Church on the Move. It mainly consists of insights on creative arts, kids ministry and youth ministry. Also be sure and check out their free resources and upcoming conference.
8. Seth Godin’s Blog - Seth Godin is a bestselling author and writes about the way ideas spread, marketing and leadership.
9. Swerve - This blog is from the leadership team of LifeChurch.tv on the topics of leadership, technology, and innovation for church leaders. Be sure and check out their free resources as well.
10. The 99 Percent - This blog is simply about making ideas happen.
Well I hope that you can get something out of these blogs, I know that they have added a lot of value to my life over the past year. If you have some blogs you would recommend please let me know by leaving a comment.
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“Think big. Act small.” — Unknown
On the red line headed to the DC Zoo. (Taken with instagram)