Key Learning #1: Deleting certain words from our vocabulary will have profound effects on our ability to bring new people into ministry at University.
- We must stop using the word "recruit" and start using the word "invite" when looking for new volunteers for ministry opportunities. The Armed Forces recruits, the Church invites. We are not looking for a bunch of people to sign up to give their lives away in exchange for a steady job and a paycheck. No, we are looking for a bunch of people to give their lives away in service to the kingdom of God in addition to their steady job and paycheck.
- There are people in our church whom you already know that you could "tap" into service with a simple personal invitation. This practice of "shoulder-tapping" could double our current volunteer base within a year if everyone invited one new person into a ministry opportunity at our church.
- We must stop using the word "help" - as in "We need help in the 3rd grade Sunday School room or there will be 8-year-olds running around the building recklessly!" These kinds of pleas for help result in minimal volunteer turnout, because (let's face it!) no one wants to jump on board a sinking ship. Using "help" to try and bring new people into your ministry often motivates people to serve for the wrong reasons - i.e. guilt, duty, obligation, etc.
- As an alternative to "help," try to paint a picture of the opportunities available for people to serve using their God-given spiritual gifts. Using this approach generally begins to get people to think about what they can offer to the church with what they already possess - be that a love for children, a passion for the arts, or financial savvy.
More later!
4 comments:
Yay! A new post! I'm going to read it now.
When I started teaching the Pre-K class more than a year ago, I "signed up" because they needed some serious "help" -- no one would teach. Now, I do it because I believe it is vital, that it can change lives. What better way to change the world than to teach preschoolers that God loves them, no matter what, and we should love our neighbors as ourselves? I'm not sure when the change happened in me over the past year, but I'm grateful for it.
You say, "We are not looking for a bunch of people to sign up to give their lives away in exchange for a steady job and a paycheck. No, we are looking for a bunch of people to give their lives away in service to the kingdom of God in addition to their steady job and paycheck." Wow! This applies to employees of the church, too. We have two positions open right now -- this statement should be part of the job descriptions and interview process.
Steph,
It's good to know that I have regular readers.
I am glad that you stepped up to teach the preschoolers (Caitlyn loves your class!) last year and I am thrilled that you were able to move beyond a sense of obligation into a love for teaching.
A willingness to live deeply in the mission of the church should not only be a priority (nay, requirement) for church membership, but also for any one who wants to be part of the staff of that church.
Stephanie, you are so right! You are a highly valued member of the education ministries team at UUMC, and I know you make a difference each and every week to the young lives you touch in the Pre-K class.
But not only that, you are an ADVOCATE calling for needed improvements in our children's programming, a trusted EVALUATOR of our systems and ministries at UUMC, an ENCOURAGER of UUMC staff and congregation, a passionate LEADER in UUMC missions/outreach work, and a shining EXAMPLE of how volunteering can be such a blessing in one's life.
I valued you when you worked on the UUMC staff as the pianist, and I value you now even more as a committed volunteer. Thanks for all you do.
Oh yeah, Dean, I like that phrase "living deeply in the mission of the church". That describes it perfectly and truly!
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