Ministry is tricky business. There aren't many establishments that rely on volunteer help as much as the church does. And not only do we rely on volunteers, but we have to be extra picky of who is volunteering, because we can't just go letting anybody looking after our kids or greeting our guests. Finding good, consistent volunteers is probably one of the most frustrating parts of running a church.
What I have found is that many times, especially in younger churches, is that we put people in key roles because they are available to do the job. They are willing, they show up, they do what we ask of them. Who could ask for anything better from a volunteer? It's great! Except for the occasional times when we realize that the person who is available, isn't necessarily able. Just because someone can show up and fill a role, doesn't mean they are equipped with the necessary skills to fulfill that duty. Now, I understand that in early stages of churches, we may not have a choice but to build a worship team with an acoustic guitar, a saxophone, and a tambourine. Or, put Granny Moses back with the babies, because no one else want to get stuck watching the kids. The problem is when we allow that to continue to be our norm, instead of finding people who are equipped to be the right people for the position. If a person has no speaking or organizational skills, and they don't really relate to children that well, they are probably not the right fit for the children's pastor. If a person has no musical knowledge, but can play guitar and sing a little, but have no anointing to lead, they probably shouldn't be your music pastor. We put people in positions to get by in a pinch, but then they end up staying there and crippling ministries, because we don't want to hurt their feelings. Church people are VERY territorial. Once someone is put in charge of something, you usually have to pry it away from them from their cold, dead hands. I don't understand that mentality. As a worship pastor, I want the best people leading the church in worship, even if that means I am not one of them. If the congregation is used to singing hymns and more traditional music, I am not the man for the job, and I am man enough to admit that. I think we sometimes feel like it shows weakness to realize you're not the right person for the job, when it in fact shows great strength and maturity. There could be someone that God has positioned to step up and take a ministry to the next level, but in our pride, we are hindering the move of God in our churches by continuing to do mediocre ministry.
Pastors, don't just look for the person who is available. Look for the people who are able. They may not even realize they are able, but God sometimes shows leaders things about people that they don't even know about themselves. Look for those diamonds in the rough, those people who need a little bit of pruning to be a fantastic minister. Then, pour into their lives, mentor them, and help them become someone who can minister with effectiveness. But please, for the sake of the church, stop holding on to people who are essentially dead weight and are sucking the life out of your ministries. If they are truly about the church, and not just about a position, they will understand when you go with someone else.
A good example of this can be found in the parable of the talents. The rich ruler entrusted 3 people with talents (or money). Those that delivered good results got rewarded. The one that did nothing with his talent, but just sat on it, had it taken away from him. Let's find people who are going to invest what they are entrusted with, not just babysit it.
What I have found is that many times, especially in younger churches, is that we put people in key roles because they are available to do the job. They are willing, they show up, they do what we ask of them. Who could ask for anything better from a volunteer? It's great! Except for the occasional times when we realize that the person who is available, isn't necessarily able. Just because someone can show up and fill a role, doesn't mean they are equipped with the necessary skills to fulfill that duty. Now, I understand that in early stages of churches, we may not have a choice but to build a worship team with an acoustic guitar, a saxophone, and a tambourine. Or, put Granny Moses back with the babies, because no one else want to get stuck watching the kids. The problem is when we allow that to continue to be our norm, instead of finding people who are equipped to be the right people for the position. If a person has no speaking or organizational skills, and they don't really relate to children that well, they are probably not the right fit for the children's pastor. If a person has no musical knowledge, but can play guitar and sing a little, but have no anointing to lead, they probably shouldn't be your music pastor. We put people in positions to get by in a pinch, but then they end up staying there and crippling ministries, because we don't want to hurt their feelings. Church people are VERY territorial. Once someone is put in charge of something, you usually have to pry it away from them from their cold, dead hands. I don't understand that mentality. As a worship pastor, I want the best people leading the church in worship, even if that means I am not one of them. If the congregation is used to singing hymns and more traditional music, I am not the man for the job, and I am man enough to admit that. I think we sometimes feel like it shows weakness to realize you're not the right person for the job, when it in fact shows great strength and maturity. There could be someone that God has positioned to step up and take a ministry to the next level, but in our pride, we are hindering the move of God in our churches by continuing to do mediocre ministry.
Pastors, don't just look for the person who is available. Look for the people who are able. They may not even realize they are able, but God sometimes shows leaders things about people that they don't even know about themselves. Look for those diamonds in the rough, those people who need a little bit of pruning to be a fantastic minister. Then, pour into their lives, mentor them, and help them become someone who can minister with effectiveness. But please, for the sake of the church, stop holding on to people who are essentially dead weight and are sucking the life out of your ministries. If they are truly about the church, and not just about a position, they will understand when you go with someone else.
A good example of this can be found in the parable of the talents. The rich ruler entrusted 3 people with talents (or money). Those that delivered good results got rewarded. The one that did nothing with his talent, but just sat on it, had it taken away from him. Let's find people who are going to invest what they are entrusted with, not just babysit it.
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