David Manner with CHURCH LEADERS recently published an article about things leaders in the church do that can really wreak havoc with retaining even solid, loving ministry volunteers. The article is focused on the loss of “volunteers” but in its reading, I’m fully convinced that it also applies to those who are paid or even bi-vocational. Why? Because of human nature, as the need to contribute and feel appreciated is universal!
The CHURCH LEADERS article may be read HERE.
Per the title, the article mentions seven issues (though there certainly are more…), but the last three were very gripping to me, as I’ve actively worked in support and leadership roles in “contemporary” worship bands singing, drumming and administrating behind the scenes, and have seen these issues first hand. Not to simply be critical, but we all need to take some time to self-reflect once-in-a-while to be sure we’re still listening to and following the call the Lord has given us for our ministry – as well as our lives.
Trouble is much more likely to come if the leaders of a church ministry: 1) never affirm those who serve publicly or privately; 2) never give those who serve a break (or at least offer one); or 3) make all the decisions for them. Leading like you alone have the ability, creativity and even right to be the sole proprietor means you are guarding your status, not leading others. Entitlement and control may achieve compliance for a short time but rarely the buy-in of a long-term commitment.
To this writer, the most serious issue above is when a leader makes ALL of the decisions (in a vacuum), week after week, and never seriously inquires whether others in the ministry have desires, concerns or may have heard from Lord! This will almost always stunt the growth of a ministry. After all, we’re in this together and the focus of the church shouldn’t be upon how wonderfully a particular leader does things, but on JESUS – the true head of the church. Pride comes before a fall!
As the article indicates:
If ministry volunteers aren’t validated in the ministry you lead, they will look for another place where they are.
Some scripture to reflect upon:
Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
“Pride goes before destruction, [a]nd a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)
“And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
