Six Insights for Leading Lay Volunteers

by Dr. Thom Rainer

One of the greatest blessings in churches today and throughout history is the number of men and women who gladly and often sacrificially give of their time and energy to do ministry in local congregations. Indeed, churches across the world would not function as they do without the giving spirit of these lay volunteers. Paid staff alone are not sufficient to do all the work of ministry in any church.

Simultaneously, one of the greatest challenges for leaders in churches today is the recruiting and retention of these lay volunteers. Indeed I have had several conversations with church leaders who have seen significant successes and blessings with the mobilization of laity in their churches. I am particularly grateful for the insights given to me by Jess Rainer of Grace Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Eric Geiger, who recently served at Christ Fellowship in Miami.

These two men, as well as several other church leaders, shared similar stories about their challenges and victories in lay mobilization. In this post, I share with you six insights I gleaned from several leaders who have been successful in recruiting and retaining lay volunteers.

1. Training is critical. In one of our recent studies, almost all the pastors surveyed affirmed the importance of training lay volunteers. Sadly, the same study showed that only about one-fourth of those pastors had any strategy for training volunteers. Training creates ownership that results in motivated and giving volunteers. I am excited that LifeWay will introduce in just a couple of months a new and incredible resource to help churches across the world train their laity effectively and inexpensively.
2. Affirmation should be ongoing. Most lay volunteers don’t get involved in church ministries for the attention or the affirmation. But when leaders affirm their work, it communicates to the volunteers that their work in ministry is important. People want to know they are involved in something that makes a difference. Affirmation gives them that very message.
3. The relationship between the laity and paid church staff should always be a partnership. Church leaders should continuously communicate that all work of ministry is a co-laborship. There is no organizational hierarchy where the laity submits to the church staff. One group does ministry as a calling and vocation. The other group does ministry as a calling and unpaid service. Both are vital in the life of the church.
4. The form of communication with laity is critical. As much as possible, vocational church leaders should spend face-to-face time with lay volunteers. They should learn how those volunteers like to communicate. For some, a text message is fine. For others, they want to hear a live voice. But all of them need some personal interaction with the paid church leaders.
5. Start lay volunteers with bite-size responsibilities. Don’t overwhelm them with a task or ministry that appears daunting. See how they respond to smaller, well-defined tasks at first. From that point, leaders can discern if the volunteers can take on more ministry responsibilities.
6. Communicate with clarity and specificity. Many lay volunteers quit out of frustration because they think their assignments are neither clear nor specific. Don’t assume volunteers have the same level of insights or knowledge as those whose daily work and responsibility is at the local church. It is better to over-explain and to be redundant than to assume the volunteer has significant prior knowledge about the ministry assignment.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR EDUCATION LEADER TRAINING: Go Forward Conference, March 14-15, 2013, FBC/Woodstock - http://sundayschoolinhd.org/

FOR ONLINE TRAINING: Ministry Grid; online subscription plan for leadership development - http://www.ministrygrid.com/

For Ongoing Bible Study: Relaunching of Bible Studies for Life coming in September – look at all of the new enhancements to help you 1) Connect with the unconnected, 2) Strenghten families, 3) Deepened discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/article/bible-studies-for-life-fall-preview-2013

Preview 3 FREE Sessions of the NEW Bible Studies for Life: http://www.lifeway.com/n/Bible-Studies-for-life/sign-up

FOR CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM: Discipleship in Context can provide a short term or ongoing Bible studies that are customized to your church’s culture and focus - http://discipleshipincontext.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Follow Me by David Platt - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/follow-me-bible-study-dvd-leader-kit-p005541500

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Secret Church with David Platt, March 29, 2013; studies on Heaven, Hell, and the end times – http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Secret-Church-Simulcast-with-David-Platt?type=events

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Bible Study Insider preview kit; see the latest studies and tips for effective small group ministry - http://biblestudyinsider.com/

DOWNLOAD THE LIFEWAY FREE E-READER - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Books-&-Magazines/eBooks?emid=Product-PastorsToday-ReaderApp-20130204

READ “FOUR REASONS TO REMEMBER THE SABBATH” - http://www.lifeway.com/Article/facts-trends-winter-2013-leading-on-fumes?emid=CW-PastorsToday-20130128

5 Spiritual Disciplines for Effective Bible Study Leaders

Adapted from an article by David Francis

There are five disciplines that every effective Sunday School leader needs to practice:

 1. Continuous Preparation

The Sunday session always goes better when you start preparing early in the week. That may mean simply reading the scripture passage on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning, and perhaps glancing at the teaching materials, especially the teaching aim. By putting the passage and aim in your mind, you’ll become more sensitive to illustrations the rest of the week in the things you read, the people you encounter, and the experiences you have. And sometimes, in the stuff you buy that can aid your teaching of the lesson.

2. Connected Teaching

First you need to be connected to the Spirit’s leadership as you stand before your class on Sunday mornings. Be sensitive to His leading in how to present your Bible study lesson in a way that will be lived out in the lives of your students throughout the week. Then you need to connect to your class members. Know their learning styles and preferences and use teaching methods and aids that keep them connected to your lesson.

3. Consistent Prayer

Effective teachers know the spiritual needs of their class members and regularly pray for them. Make a notebook — or just get a spiral one — and make a page for each member. Keep a list of the needs in each one’s life. Note advances in their spiritual walk.

4. Concerned Ministry

Respond to your members in times of crisis. Occasionally try to see them face to face away from the class. Call or send a note on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.  Remember anniversaries of events other than marriage — loss of a job or getting a new one, a successful surgery or the beginning of physical therapy, moving into a new home, the birth of a child or the death of a spouse, etc. This kind of thing doesn’t just happen. It requires spiritual discipline.

5. Concerted Outreach

Be intentional in your outreach and be a role model. It is also important that you take along other leaders to show them how it’s done. Invite a group leader to accompany you on a visit to a prospect. Don’t just tell them to do it; show them how it’s done!

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR EDUCATION LEADER TRAINING: Go Forward Conference, March 14-15, 2013, FBC/Woodstock - http://sundayschoolinhd.org/

FOR GREETER MINISTRY: Ten Ways to Make Visitors Feel Welcomed - http://www.lifeway.com/Article/facts-trends-winter-2013-first-impressions

FOR CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM: Discipleship in Context can provide a short term or ongoing Bible

studies that are customized to your church’s culture and focus - http://discipleshipincontext.com/

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: All Pro Dad simulcast, January 26, 2013 with Tony Dungy, Clark Kellogg, Tommy Bowden - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Adult-Event-All-Pro-Dad-Simulcast

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Secret Church with David Platt, March 29, 2013; studies on Heaven, Hell, and the end times – http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Secret-Church-Simulcast-with-David-Platt?type=events

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: How Can I Know? Answers to Life’s 7 Most Important Questions by Robert Jeffress - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/how-can-i-know-answers-to-lifes-7-most-important-questions-leader-kit-P005511206

FOR SMALL GROUPS: The God Anthology by Mark Batterson - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/god-anthology-dvd-leader-kit-P005539341

FOR BIBLE STUDY: Re-launch of Bible Studies for Life interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd - http://www.lifeway.com/Article/facts-trends-winter-2013-bible-studies-for-life

A Christmas Eve Visitor

I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house.  I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.  He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask.  The words choked up in my throat, and I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.  Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, "TEACH THE CHILDREN!"  

I was puzzled what did he mean?

He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.  As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.  The meaning of Christmas that nowadays has been forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.  "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.  "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light, we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.  "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love.  Real love never ceases.  Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.  "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality.  It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior.  The red holly berries represent the blood that He shed for us."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.   Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.  "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook.  The crook on the staff helps to bring strayed sheep back to the flock.  The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper. It also symbolizes with the red stripe that by His blood we are cleansed and made free and as pure and white as the white part of the candy cane."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.    "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will."

Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.  "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should bring mankind to the fold.  The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased.  He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes.  He said, "Remember, TEACH THE CHILDREN the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship Him, Our Lord, Our God."  - copied

 

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

Ebooks from LifeWay - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Books-&-Magazines/eBooks?emid=CW-PastorsToday-20121119

 

FOR STAFF LEADERSHIP: GBACE Annual Conference, January 24, 2013 at Mabel White Baptist Church, Macon - http://www.gbace.org/

FOR EDUCATION LEADER TRAINING: Go Forward Conference, March 14-15, 2013, FBC/Woodstock - http://sundayschoolinhd.org/

FOR VBS: Colossal Coaster World Sampler  - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-sampler-p005487573

FOR VBS: Colossal Coaster World Super Sampler  - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-super-sampler-P005487652?intcmp=LWMain-Best3-VBSSuperSampler-20121105

FOR COMMUNITY BACKYARD KIDS CLUB: Colossal Coaster Backyard Kids Club Kit - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-backyard-kids-club-p005532691

 FOR CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM: Discipleship in Context can provide a short term or ongoing Bible

studies that are customized to your church’s culture and focus - http://discipleshipincontext.com/

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: All Pro Dad simulcast, January 26, 2013 with Tony Dungy, Clark Kellogg, Tommy Bowden - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Adult-Event-All-Pro-Dad-Simulcast

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: How Can I Know? Answers to Life’s 7 Most Important Questions by Robert Jeffress - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/how-can-i-know-answers-to-lifes-7-most-important-questions-leader-kit-P005511206

FOR SMALL GROUPS: The God Anthology by Mark Batterson - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/god-anthology-dvd-leader-kit-P005539341