This new article examines five areas of church ministry and suggests three principles for working with ‘volunteers’ in each area. This builds up a list of 15 key recommendations for how to encourage and manage your church’s members in practical service.
The five areas of ministry, with an idea of the range of service in each, are:
1 Worship services (speakers, children’s group leaders, flower arrangers …)
2 Finance (Treasurers, cash counters, Finance Committee members …)
3 Governance (Trustees, leadership teams, committee members …)
4 Small groups (home group leaders, youth leaders, activity leaders …)
5 Outreach events (enquirers course team members, Fresh Expression event leaders, global mission secretaries …)
The 15 principles that arise from examining these particular areas include the following:
Think big project
Value training for all
Express genuine thanks
Limit scope and length
Check motives
Work in teams
Set control limits
Offer freedom to fail
Provide leadership support
Each is explained in the context of the particular area of ministry.
Article A47, 15 volunteering principles, is now available without charge from the Articles index page of John Truscott’s website.