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