It’s my contention that churches often enlist and hire their own problems. In our haste to fill a “position”, we’re tempted to twist the arm of a potential volunteer, even though they may not have the spiritual giftedness or passion for what we ask them to do. The outcome is an ineffective volunteer and a ministry that suffers.

But, we just don’t have enough leaders in our churches! Believe me, having been there myself and involved in enlistment of volunteer leadership, I do understand the seeming lack of leadership. So, let me suggest some strategies for finding leaders and properly enlisting them.

1. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER underestimate the role of prayer in enlisting volunteer leaders.
   
   
2. Resist forcing a square peg into a round hole, usually to satisfy our need for a warm body. If a person does not succeed or stay in the role very long, it says as much about us as a leader as it does about the volunteer.
   
   
3. Be content to prayerfully wait for the right leader. In fact, it was my practice to not have a teacher in a Sunday School class rather than have the wrong teacher.
   
   
4. Are you trying to fill positions or make a Kingdom difference? You are not trying to persuade people to become involved in “busy work” or do something they don’t want to do. You are inviting them to serve with God.
   
   
5. Don’t suggest “anybody can do it” or “this doesn’t require much work.” Most people don’t mind being challenged.
   
   
6. Do your homework. Just because they’re available doesn’t mean they’re the person you seek. Know the faith background and character of the person you seek to enlist. Are their spiritual gifts well-suited for this role? Where does their passion lie? Are they teachable? Are they reliable? Are they on board with the church’s vision for ministry or will they be a “loose cannon” and you just gave them a platform for firing?
   
   
7. Articulate expectations. Provide a written ministry description or, at least, a clear understanding of what’s required and expected. Then, commission volunteer leaders.
   
   
8. Don’t leave them out on a limb alone. Be sure they’re equipped for what you’ve asked them to do. Provide ongoing training and stay in touch. Ask them, “How can I help? What do you need?”
   
   
9. Encourage and applaud them. Show appreciation for the difference they make.
   
   
10. If the person isn’t flourishing in their role, don’t prolong the inevitable. Not only is it unfair to the volunteer, but the time and energy spent trying to prop them up will take away from time and energy spent with others and lower morale throughout the ministry.

One final word: Don’t think you have enough leaders? Here’s some advice from Neil Cole: “If your ministry is struggling without leaders, do not re-evaluate your leadership development program first. It is time to re-evaluate your disciple-making system. … A lack of leaders is a symptom of a much greater problem-you lack transformation in people's souls. Do not mourn your lack of leaders; mourn your lack of changed lives. If you have changed lives, the leaders you need will emerge.” (The Secret Source of Unlimited Leaders)

THE LEADERSHIP GATHERING (formerly Pastor/Deacon/Church Leadership Conference)
April 30-May 1, 2010
Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg

"What's Your Game Plan?"
Kennon Callahan reminded us years ago that we no longer live in a churched culture. We now live in the midst of a mission field. That reminder shapes how we strategize to make disciples in the 21st century. So what’s your game plan for the mission field in which you minister? Guest Speaker Reggie McNeal and conference breakout leaders will inspire and challenge us to develop a game plan to respond to our changing missional environment.

Breakout sessions will highlight the “game plan” of leaders throughout church life, including deacons, Sunday School, discipleship, children’s and youth ministry, and other key leaders. All church leaders are invited to join us in tackling the issue of finding God’s missional calling for the congregation as the church seeks to live out their involvement in God’s Kingdom.

Guest Speaker: Reggie McNeal

Before You Knew

The bank sent me an overdraft notice on the checking account of one of my daughters. I encourage my college-age girls to monitor their accounts. Even so, they sometimes overspend. What should I do? Let the bank absorb it? They won't. Send her an angry letter? Admonition might help her later, but it won't satisfy the bank. Phone and tell her to make a deposit? Might as well tell a fish to fly. I know her liquidity. Zero. Transfer the money from my account to hers? Seemed to be the best option. After all, I had $25.37. I could replenish her account and pay the overdraft fee as well. Besides, that's my job. Don't get any ideas. If you're overdrawn, don't call me. My daughter can do something you can't do: she can call me Dad. And since she calls me Dad, I did what dads do. I covered my daughter's mistake. When I told her she was overdrawn, she said she was sorry. Still, she offered no deposit. She was broke. She had one option. "Dad, could you..." I interrupted her sentence. "Honey, I already have." I met her need before she knew she had one. Long before you knew you needed grace, your Father did the same. He made the deposit, an ample deposit. "Christ died for us while we were still sinners" (Rom. 5:8 NCV). Before you knew you needed a Savior, you had one. And when you ask Him for mercy, He answers, "I've already given it, dear child. I've already given it."

- Max Lucado from Cure for a Common Life

Get Out of the Boat

To sinful patterns of behavior that never get confronted and changed,
Abilities and gifts that never get cultivated and deployed --
Until weeks become months
And months turn into years,
And one day you’re looking back on a life of
Deep intimate gut-wrenchingly honest conversations you never had;
Great bold prayers you never prayed,
Exhilarating risks you never took,
Sacrificial gifts you never offered
Lives you never touched,
And you’re sitting in a recliner with a shriveled soul,
And forgotten dreams,
And you realize there was a world of desperate need,
And a great God calling you to be part of something bigger than yourself --
You see the person you could have become but did not;
You never followed your calling.
You never got out of the boat.

- Gregg Levoy, quoted by John Ortberg in If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat

Life Lessons from the Peanuts Gang

People who lack perspective are like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz. In one strip, while Lucy swings on the playground, Charlie Brown reads to her, “It says here that the world revolves around the sun once a year.” Lucy stops abruptly and responds, “The world revolves around the sun? Are you sure? I thought it revolved around me.”

- From Winning With People by John Maxwell

Click links to read articles.

• Ten Things Not to Buy in 2010 (submitted by Glenn Akins, VBMB)
  
  
• The Bible, Burnout, and Some Guy Named Jethro
  
  
• Small is Beautiful - encouragement for smaller churches and their ministry potential
  
  
• 5 Reasons Why Dreams Don’t Take Flight by John Maxwell

The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network

4845 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA 24019
540.777.3014 or toll-free 866.223.9344