Learn

We had such an incredible time catching up with everyone at The Table yesterday! A big thank you to Northview Church for hosting us and to everyone who came out (or joined us on Periscope). It was a great experience to get together for the first time this year and dive into a great discussion on Giving Ministry Away. 

The communications staff at Northview did an amazing job of presenting how to maximize volunteer impact in communications! It was wonderful to hear from their hearts and see the impact their efforts have made in the lives of their congregation and staff. 

Here are some important things we learned: 

• The number one goal for volunteers should always be that they would experience spiritual growth. 
• One of the greatest legacies you can leave behind as a staff member is the investment you make in the people at your church.
• Volunteering is an incredible opportunity to get your congregation more connected and help them care about the work that is being done. 
• It's important to keep your heart open to placing volunteers in positions they are passionate about ... not just filling open roles.
• Care about the people who are serving with you. Get to know them. Take them to lunch. Celebrate their birthdays. Pray for them. 
• Remember to offer volunteers feedback, encouragement and guidance. This will help them feel valued, trusted and more equipped to do their work.
• The larger your volunteer base becomes, the harder it will be to manage. Put a leadership structure in place so you can stay in constant communication with your volunteers ... whether it's directly or through a tiered leadership system. 
• Your volunteers do amazing work for your church! Add value to their positions by doing things like giving them job titles, business cards, assigned desks/computers, etc. 
• Don't be afraid to have hard conversations with volunteers when things don't go well and be open to them having hard conversations with you. These conversations will most often lead to healthy relationships, better service and positive change.  
• Have fun! Create community nights to better connect your volunteers with your staff and with each other. Consider a Friday night pizza party, a special Facebook group ... anything that gives them a break and helps them connect to other like-minded people. Plus, this lets them know they are appreciated. 
• Sometimes you just need to sit down and take a look at the work you're doing, where you could use help and what ministry you're willing to "give away." Here's a resource to help! 

These points just scratch the surface of the amazing presentation and discussion that was sparked by the Northview staff sharing their hearts and processes when it comes to Giving Ministry Away. We are so grateful to have been able to partner with them at our first Table meeting of 2016! 

Our next meeting will be quite the party! 

Join us Wednesday, July 20, 2016 (11 a.m.-1 p.m. EDT) at Connection Pointe in Brownsburg! We'll be discussing how you can not only survive but thrive during the 2016 Christmas season. Come ready for some tips, a Holiday Season Guide, fun networking and a Christmas in July party!