No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood

1. No More Volunteers!Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Convocation of Association of Conference Directors of Lay Servant Ministries Saturday, January, 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 It is getting harder and harder to find people with the time, skills, energy and inclination to volunteer at church. Join us to discuss a whole new way of looking at this issue. We will explore the biblical imperative of serving and learn a radically different approach for finding, recruiting and motivating people to serve!

2. Have you ever heard this? “No one volunteers anymore” “Why do I have to do it ALL?” “Doesn’t anyone care about our church?” “People are just too busy to volunteer these days.”

3. Ask the RIGHT Questions “How can we teach and model the biblical understanding of Christian servanthood?” “How can we lead in a way that offers our busy church members meaningful and realistic opportunities to serve?” “Why don’t people volunteer at our church?”

4. Must move from. . . Paradigm Shift VOLUNTEERS to. . . SERVANTS

5. John 13: 1 - 17 “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

6. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served Luke 22:27 “But I am among you as one who serves.” Mark 10:43-45 “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. . .”

7. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant also will be.”

8. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve 3) God has provided everyone with gifts for serving 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” Ephesians 4:11-13 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

9. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve 3) God has provided everyone with gifts for serving 4) We should facilitate the service of others Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” 1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he or she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

10. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve 3) God has provided everyone with gifts for serving 4) We should facilitate the service of others 5) When we serve others, we serve Jesus Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for people, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Ephesians 6:7 “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

11. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve 3) God has provided everyone with gifts for serving 4) We should facilitate the service of others 5) When we serve others, we serve Jesus 6) When we serve, we are blessed John 12:26 “If any person would serve me, let that person follow me; and where I am there shall also my servant be; if any person serve me, that person will the Father honor.” 1 Peter 5: 5 “And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’” Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

12. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve 3) God has provided everyone with gifts for serving 4) We should facilitate the service of others 5) When we serve others, we serve Jesus 6) When we serve, we are blessed

13. Rather than simply doing good works, Christians are defined by their obedience to the Savior.

14. To facilitate the blessing of serving, church leaders must move from How? Doing or Filling jobs providing opportunities for Christians to act upon & deepen their faith to

15. Group Activity At your tables, describe & discuss the most successful service opportunity that you have been involved with. What factors contributed to making it so successful?

16. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood 7 Empowering Imperatives

17. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE 7 Empowering Imperatives

19. Church leaders must faithfully remember and communicate the context of a task’s HOLY PURPOSE. WHY Call Mission WHAT Goals HOW Facts Tasks

20. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL 7 Empowering Imperatives

21. Constantly Develop Interest Pool Leaders facilitate the service of others by actively finding servants with a passion for the ministry. Who has the interest? Who has the heart? Who has the skills?

22. Constantly Develop Interest Pool Consistently conduct activities & conversations to ascertain who has the interest/heart/skills for ministry area. Constantly maintain a list of people who have shown interest in particular ministry areas.

23. Constantly Develop Interest Pool

24. Where do we look for Servants? People should not have to earn the right to serve

25. Group Activity At your tables, discuss other ways to connect with people and develop interest pools.

26. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL 7 Empowering Imperatives Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS

27. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood All jobs can be broken into various sized, manageable tasks that are more realistic for today’s potential servants. Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL 7 Empowering Imperatives Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS

28. Example: “Day in the Country” Promotion Vendors Entertainment Children’s Games Mission Interpretation Food & Drink On Site Logistics

29. the impact grows exponentially! Example: “Day in the Country” Promotion Vendors Entertainment Children’s Games Mission Interpretation Food & Drink On Site Logistics Tickets Food Research bands Petting Zoo Slideshow Ticket System Premises Map Advertising Flea Market Contract with bands Bounce Games Information Booth Cashiers Directory Signage Design Craft Booths Prizes Community Relationship Food Signage Electricity Signage Distribution Carnival Games Mission Sign-Ups Food Donations Parking Media Contact Restrooms Information Booths When ministry responsibilities are broken down into many opportunities to serve,

30. Keys to success: Clarity of outcomes & expectations

31. Keys to success: Clarity of outcomes & expectations

32. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Proverbs 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL 7 Empowering Imperatives Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS Design commitment to be TIME BOXED

33. People will no longer make perpetual commitments. Commitments must have a start & an end. Think in terms of ‘seasons’. Youth Choir (every Wednesday night) Youth Choir (every Wednesday night) Senior Home Concert Summer Choir Tour Christmas Concert Bell Concert

34. Group Activity Think of a commitment in your church today that is ‘daunting’. Discuss & determine ways to frame that commitment into a set of distinct time-boxed opportunities.

35. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL 7 Empowering Imperatives Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS Design commitment to be TIME BOXED Prepare & deliver a COMPELLING ASK

36. Deliver Compelling Ask “ASKS” should always . . . • Be sincere • Be personal • Be connected with HOLY PURPOSE • Include clear explanation of desired outcome • Be time boxed (in a season)

37. “Compelling ASK”

38. Effectiveness of Recruitment Practices Use the methods that get the best response rather than the easiest to execute. • face-to-face • personal email • personal phone call • personal voicemail • personal letter Effectiveness • pulpit announcements • announcements • form letter • website • mass email • sign up sheets • bulletin announcements Difficulty

40. Developing & Deliveringa compelling ASKtakes Advance Preparation • best fit? • impact? • setting? • practice!

41. Group Activity Develop & discuss a compelling ASK for someone to be a Lay Servant in your conference.

42. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL 7 Empowering Imperatives Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS Less training MOREEXPLAINING Design commitment to be TIME BOXED Prepare & deliver a COMPELLING ASK

43. Less Training – More Explaining • Provide ministry shepherds for questions • Provide on-the-job opportunities • Provide shadowing experiences Keep it Simple!

44. No More Volunteers! Reclaiming Christian Servanthood Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE Constantly develop INTEREST POOL Remember to DEBRIEF & CELEBRATE 7 Empowering Imperatives Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS Less training MOREEXPLAINING Design commitment to be TIME BOXED Prepare & deliver a COMPELLING ASK

45. Debrief to Learn ≠“How did it go?”

46. Debrief to Learn & Adjust • “Did the work feel meaningful?” • “How did this ministry help you to grow in your faith?” • “Was your emotional energy high or low?” • “Did you get to know someone?” • “Would you like to serve in this capacity again?” • “What would make your experience even more meaningful?” • “What do you want to try next?”

47. Celebrate!

48. Which conversation most effectively communicates your appreciation? Your work in our nursery is exactly what we need. You greet everyone with joy & you confidently interact with the children. The parents feel that their children are treasured & well cared for. Thank you for all your work with the babies of our church & community! Nice job! Being specific with praise lets people know that they are valued & vital to the ministries of the church Let’s give our volunteers a big round of applause! You are so good with kids.

49. Must move from. . . Paradigm Shift VOLUNTEERS to. . . SERVANTS

50. The Biblical Witness is Clear 1) Jesus served 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve 3) God has provided everyone with gifts for serving 4) We should facilitate the service of others 5) When we serve others, we serve Jesus 6) When we serve, we are blessed