Sunday, June 29, 2010, at age 89, my mother-in-law moved in with my husband and I, at our invitation. Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at age 99, God called her to the home she longed for. In the intervening 9 years,Read more…
Ten Years of Conversations
Barb Vossel has many stories to tell. She loves talking to people. Not only is she naturally outgoing, she’s been talking to our church’s new members for the past ten years in her role as one of our Ministry Guides.Read more…
God’s Timing at Work
If you’ve taken St. Peter’s new member class in the past 10 years, you remember meeting with one of our volunteer ministry guides for a friendly conversation about your gifts and interests and ways they might be used at St.Read more…
Add a Little More Joy to Your Serving
If we’re driving, we need to know how much gas is in the tank. When we’re serving, it can be equally helpful to look at how much joy is in our tank! Let’s do a self-check. Do you look forwardRead more…
Good Stuff: Retention or Sustainability?
Words reflect attitudes. This thoughtful by Meridan Swift, a volunteer manager and blogger, explores the difference between volunteer retention and volunteer sustainability. In the church, it’s simply good stewardship of our people’s time and talents. “Sustainability and Volunteerism”
A Question: What will a Volunteer Coordinator Do for Me?
The budget of our church’s volunteer program got a substantial bump this year. Thankfully, we are now able to hire a full-time coordinator. What are the most important parts of a volunteer program that we should shift to her, theRead more…
A Question: Recruiting Millennials
In the past year, we’ve had a huge influx of millennials into our church. What’s the best way to recruit these individuals for service? — a reader Response: It’s a great blessing when the family of God includes people ofRead more…
Good Stuff: Everyone Worships
A mother’s musings on graduations, Everyone Worships Something, leads to thoughts on how we all worship something. Those conclusions lead me to wonder about when we serve: are we serving our God or our idols? Usually some of both. ButRead more…
A Question: Is a Retreat Worthwhile?
I am thinking about hosting a winter retreat for my church’s volunteers. Do you think it’s worth it? — a reader Response: Is a retreat worthwhile? Jesus certainly thought so! “Then, because so many people were coming and going thatRead more…
Good Stuff: Conversations are Powerful
Conversations are powerful. That’s what struck me from this article from Relevant magazine, “Why Mark Zuckerberg’s Meeting with Pastors is So Significant.” Conversation changes people Conversation fosters connections, especially when we spend more time asking questions and listening than expressingRead more…
A Question: What Will a Volunteer Coordinator Do For Me?
The budget of our church’s volunteer program got a substantial bump this year. Thankfully, we are now able to hire a full-time coordinator. What are the most important parts of a volunteer program that we should shift to her, theRead more…
Service Enterprise Certification!
Rejoice with me! At St. Peter Lutheran in Arlington Heights, Illinois, we’re rejoicing in our recent Service Enterprise certification. See details here. We’re the first congregation in Illinois, and perhaps the nation, to successfully complete the year-long certification process. Although thatRead more…
Three Little Words
I clearly remember the day I uncovered three little words with a huge impact on retaining volunteers. I was talking to a man who set up coffee and donuts every Sunday. He was new to that ministry, so I asked,Read more…
Scheduling Volunteers
We’re all jugglers when it comes to our calendars. On top of our regular work/school hours, there are the soccer tournaments, band recitals, business trips, family get-togethers, and weekend getaways. One result: many volunteer no-show’s at church because “something cameRead more…
Invite Seniors to Serve
Picture the seniors who volunteer at church. Do you first picture the sweet grandmothers who stuff inserts in the bulletin? They are wonderful, valuable volunteers. But also picture: The “elder statesmen/women” who serve in leadership and influence roles Retirees whoseRead more…
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