How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So goes an old joke, making the point that even the biggest of tasks can be accomplished with first one step, then another and another . . . ChangingRead more…
A Question: Percentage of People Serving
I’ve Got a Question “From our database we can run a report finding that 590 people are currently assigned to a position. In order to get the percentage of people serving, what number do I compare that to? Should IRead more…
When My Volunteer is Smarter than Me
I know a thing or two about databases. I love how they organize information and the flexibility they offer over a spreadsheet; I can build a basic Access database. When I was hired as Director of Equipping People to ServeRead more…
Protecting People and Ministry
When we hear about child sexual abuse in church settings, it turns the stomach and brings up both anger and fear. We can’t imagine it happening at our church, but burying our heads in the sand isn’t helpful. Churches alreadyRead more…
Goals Get Us Going
It’s budget time at our church; our fiscal year begins July 1. As church staff, I’ve done many annual budgets for Equipping, but this year was unique for me. Our budgets were to be based on our ministry goals forRead more…
Canned Peaches or Fresh Lettuce?
I’ve been thinking of keeping a can of peaches and a head of lettuce in my office. Or bringing them to the next staff meeting. Or pulling them out the next time I talk to some ministry leaders about volunteers.Read more…
How Does a Garden Grow?
“I looked up and saw Joe, a 92-year old African-American man.” Both Joe and the speaker, John Greves, were working in the Community Garden project in Vancouver, Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland. “I thought of all this manRead more…
Stories: God’s, Mine, Yours and Others’
The Bible is one long story, the true story of God calling and caring for his people the Jews, God becoming human and dying, and God working among the early Christians. God’s story continues today. He continues to call, redeemRead more…
A Question: Finding Co-leaders
I’ve Got a Question. I am passionate about what I do and I always find volunteers. However, I feel at a loss because I haven’t found anyone to be “passionate” with me in a vision or direction. They all seemRead more…
A Question: Volunteer Software
I’ve Got a Question “Do you have a good contact/volunteer software program you could recommend?” From Beth in Wisconsin September 2010 Response Short answer: no, I don’t have a program I can recommend. Sorry. Longer answer: Our church was usingRead more…
How to Recruit Church Volunteers
When you realize you’ll need to recruit some volunteers, does your heart leap for joy? Or does your stomach get tied in knots? Most of us don’t enjoy finding people to teach Sunday School or help with the rummage sale.Read more…
Profile: Shepherd of the Hills, San Antonio, Texas
Alice Klement, Director of Equipping Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in San Antonio, is graciously sharing two presentations her equipping team gave to congregational leaders. She took material from some of the presentations on this site, addedRead more…
Building a Family
He had been coming to the same church for over 30 years. A quiet man, no one noticed him much. Not knowing how to go about meeting new friends in a church, he stayed on the sidelines, going right homeRead more…
A Smokin’ Ministry Fair
“It was the Holy Smokers. They were the draw.” Marlene Anderson, Deaconess at Grace Lutheran Church, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, was planning her third Ministry Fair for the church. The first one, held about 10 years ago, was very successful. TheRead more…
Smiles of St. Peter
(Editor’s note: This article was written by Diana Broj. It profiles a ministry that not only is interesting and fun, it also builds a positive culture of serving by highlighting ministry opportunities, the people who serve and are being served,Read more…