Staff & Laity: Organizing for
Mission
Purpose: To
develop a congregational culture that involves the whole
people of God in mission and ministry.
Basics
- Clarify
Mission
- "First
Lutheran Church . . . a community of faith reaching
out in the name of Jesus Christ."
- Eliminate what
doesn't fit; create and strengthen what does
fit.
- Be
intentional
- Helpful
Biblical Principles
- Exodus 18:
13-27 Can't do it alone!
- Judges 9:7-15
Select leadership wisely
- Ephesians
4:11-12 there are many gifts for the equipping of the
saints
- 1 Corinthians
12:4-6 variety of gifts, given by the Spirit, for the
common good
- Identify and
Build upon Strengths
- Don't focus
upon problems, perceived needs, or
complainers
- Do a few
things well, rather than many things mediocre or
poorly; prioritize the strengths
- See strengths
as positive opportunities to enhance
mission
- Trust the
Spirit
- Risk failure
and be bold in ministry endeavors
- Brace yourself
to be surprised by what God can do!
Guideposts
- Give
Permission
- Deal with the
"gatekeepers": pastor, Council, "certain" individuals
or groups (turf/change)
- Select
carefully, equip, and turn loose!
- Tap into
Passions
- Identify
gifts, not by what someone is willing to do, but by
what excites and motivates them
- Attempt to
seek volunteers for meaningful, useful
activities
- Short Term
Commitments
- Recognize that
many will commit to volunteering if they can see a
beginning, middle, and end
- Use temporary
"Task Forces" when possible rather than standing
committees
- Encourage
"action oriented" approaches to tasks, not
never-ending discussion
- Identify new
Leadership and Expanding the Volunteer Base
- Time and
Talent Surveys - identify passions; develop
specialized surveys
- New Members -
integrate in two months; consider interviews rather
than T&T paperwork
- Nominating
Committee - Stacking the deck for effective
leadership
- Create New
Ministry Opportunities
- Always keep a
"new" ministry initiative in front of the
congregation
- Remember that
new opportunities tend to involve new
people
- Allow
ministries on "life support" to "die"
- Thank You,
Thank You, Thank You
- Consider how
your congregation affirms, supports, and thanks those
who volunteer
- Develop
strategies to make sure there is positive
reinforcement when gifts are shared
- The quiet,
subtle "thank you" always leaves a positive
impression
- Celebrate
success
- Pastor's
Role
- Must be
committed to "shared ministry" and not to "Lone
Ranger"
- Word and
Sacrament (concentrate on the "Big Rocks")
- Coordinate,
Encourage, Recruit, Equip, Get Out of the Way,
Thank
- Funding
- Sound biblical
stewardship (not: shortfall, needs, meet budget, etc.)
of faithfully responding to God's goodness and the
opportunity to make a difference through the ministry
of Christ's church
- Provide
many opportunities for people to
give
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