Convocation of Association of Conference Directors

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No More Volunteers!Reclaiming Christian
Servanthood

• Convocation of Association of Conference
  Directors
• of Lay Servant Ministries
• Saturday, January, 24 from 130 to 330

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!
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Have you ever heard this?
No one volunteers anymore
Why do I have to do it ALL?
Doesnt anyone care about our church?
People are just too busy to volunteer these
days.
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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 dont people volunteer at our church?
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Must move from. . .
Paradigm Shift
VOLUNTEERS
to. . .
SERVANTS
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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 anothers 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.
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The Biblical Witness is Clear

• 1) Jesus served

Luke 2227 But I am among you as one who
serves.
Mark 1043-45 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. . .
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The Biblical Witness is Clear

• 1) Jesus served
• 2) Jesus taught that his followers should serve

Philippians 23-4 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 1226 Whoever serves me must follow me and
where I am my servant also will be.
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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 124-6 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 411-13 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 Gods 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.
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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 1024 And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
1 Peter 410 Each one should use whatever gift
he or she has received to serve others,
faithfully administering Gods grace in its
various forms.
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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 323-24 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 67 Work with enthusiasm, as though
you were working for the Lord rather than for
people.
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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 1226 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 69 And let us not grow weary of doing
good, for in due season we will reap, if we do
not give up.
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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

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Rather than simply doing good works, Christians
are defined by their obedience to the Savior.
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To facilitate the blessing of serving, church
leaders must move from
How?
providing opportunities for Christians to act
upon deepen their faith

• Doing or
• Filling jobs

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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?
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No More Volunteers!
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No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
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(No Transcript)
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Church leaders must faithfully remember and
communicate the context of a tasks HOLY PURPOSE.
WHY
Call
Mission
WHAT
Goals
HOW
Facts
Tasks
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No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
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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?

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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.

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Constantly Develop Interest Pool
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Where do we look for Servants?
People should not have to earn the right to serve
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Group Activity
At your tables, discuss other ways to connect
with people and develop interest pools.
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No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
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No More Volunteers!
All jobs can be broken into various sized,
manageable tasks that are more realistic for
todays potential servants.
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
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Example Day in the Country
Promotion
Childrens Games
Mission Interpretation
Food Drink
Entertainment
Vendors
On Site Logistics
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the impact grows exponentially!
Example Day in the Country
Promotion
Childrens Games
Mission Interpretation
Food Drink
Entertainment
Vendors
On Site Logistics
Research bands
Tickets
Food
Petting Zoo
Slideshow
Ticket System
Premises Map
Contract with bands
Advertising
Flea Market
Bounce Games
Information Booth
Cashiers
Directory
Signage Design
Craft Booths
Prizes
Community Relationship
Food Signage
Electricity
Signage Distribution
Carnival Games
Mission Sign-Ups
Parking
Food Donations
Media Contact
Restrooms
Information Booths
When ministry responsibilities are broken down
into many opportunities to serve,
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Keys to success Clarity of outcomes
expectations
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Keys to success Clarity of outcomes
expectations
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No More Volunteers!
Proverbs 31 There is a time for everything, and
a season for every activity under heaven.
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
Design commitment to be TIME BOXED
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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)
Bell Concert
Christmas Concert
Summer Choir Tour
Senior Home Concert
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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.
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No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
Design commitment to be TIME BOXED
Prepare deliver a COMPELLING ASK
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ASKS should always . . .
Deliver Compelling Ask

• Be sincere
• Be personal
• Be connected with HOLY PURPOSE
• Include clear explanation of desired outcome
• Be time boxed (in a season)

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Compelling ASK
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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
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(No Transcript)
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Developing Deliveringa compelling ASKtakes
Advance Preparation

1. best fit?
2. impact?
3. setting?
4. practice!

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Group Activity
Develop discuss a compelling ASK for someone
to be a Lay Servant in your conference.
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No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
Less training MOREEXPLAINING
Design commitment to be TIME BOXED
Prepare deliver a COMPELLING ASK
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Less Training More Explaining
Keep it Simple!

• Provide ministry shepherds for questions
• Provide on-the-job opportunities
• Provide shadowing experiences

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No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Remember to DEBRIEF CELEBRATE
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
Less training MOREEXPLAINING
Design commitment to be TIME BOXED
Prepare deliver a COMPELLING ASK
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Debrief to Learn
? How did it go?
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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?

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Celebrate!
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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
Lets give our volunteers a big round of applause!
You are so good with kids.
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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

51
No More Volunteers!
Connect to the HOLY PURPOSE
Constantly develop INTEREST POOL
Remember to DEBRIEF CELEBRATE
Break job into REALISTIC COMMITMENTS
Less training MOREEXPLAINING
Design commitment to be TIME BOXED
Prepare deliver a COMPELLING ASK
52
No More Volunteers!
Questions Reflections