When we talk about volunteering or serving, it’s generally personal–about how we are or could or should or would like to be serving. That’s good, and it’s important. But it’s of as much or more value to think of howRead more…
Top Ten Things CHURCH STAFF Can Do to Help Others Serve
Church staff work hard. They often work long hours for lower-than-average pay. They don’t have time for all that’s on their plate, yet still dream of more ways to expand their ministry impact. And they frequently have church members suggestingRead more…
Top Ten Things PASTORS Can Do to Help Others Serve
Leadership matters. Whether in the military or the family or business, the leadership influences outcomes. In the church, Jesus Christ is our leader, the one we follow. You, our local pastors, are His under-shepherds, guiding us as we gather forRead more…
Take Courage, You Who Wait
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24 We often find ourselves in ‘wait’ mode–waiting for relief from illness or fears or loneliness or crushing problems. The frail elderly may simplyRead more…
More Intentional (& Less Crazy) Everyday Serving
Ever feel like you’re too busy? Frazzled by all your responsibilities at home and work? Many of us do. It’s the reality that keeps many of us from volunteering, from giving back, from serving others as much as we’d likeRead more…
More Joyful (& Less Dreary) Everyday Serving
Have you noticed how often products are marketed using images of joy, fun and celebration? Advertisers know we all could use–and desperately want–more happiness and joy in our lives. But happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes based on ourRead more…
More Impactful (& Less Ho Hum) Everyday Serving
“I want to make a difference!” This is why many of us volunteer. It’s a good reason and it applies to all the serving we do, in our homes and work places as well as our communities and churches. ServingRead more…
More Faith-Full (& Less Disjointed) Everyday Serving
Is serving in the church more important than volunteering outside the church? Is it more God-pleasing? What’s the difference between volunteering and serving? These questions all assume that our life of faith is separate from our ‘regular’ or daily life.Read more…
Creating Volunteer Roles
Want more volunteers in your church? Consider creating new volunteer roles. Just because people aren’t signing up for publicized volunteer needs doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to give their time and talent to opportunities that match their skills, interests andRead more…
Cheer Up! On Your Feet! He’s Calling You!
He was poor and blind. But not stupid. He was a beggar, poor and blind. But not stupid. Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) figured out Jesus was nearby and he knew Jesus could heal. He was also persistent and could be bothersome.Read more…
Who, me?
We in Chicagoland are enjoying the fact that the new pope, Leo XIV, grew up here. But what sticks with me from the papal transition is a painting. After the death of Pope Francis, I read that his favorite paintingRead more…
Our Persistent God
I rarely hear God described as ‘persistent,’ but I’ve lately learned just how persistent he is. On several occasions over the past two years, circumstances have caused me to recall a difficult time from when I was in college. ThoseRead more…
More Serving? or Better Serving?
Quantity or Quality? When we talk about serving, it’s almost always about “more” serving — its quantity. As volunteers retire, leaders need to replace them with more volunteers. When new ministry opportunities arise, leaders need more volunteers to make themRead more…
“Come Lord Jesus, Be Our Guest . . .”
“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let your gifts to us be blessed.” As I grew up, my family said this prayer at dinner each evening before dinner, and I still use it regularly at meals. Recently it occurredRead more…
You Can Be/Grow a Volunteer Champion
Imagine a world in which every Christian church, no matter its size or budget, had an acknowledged volunteer champion in their midst, a leader who helped people use their God-given gifts in their Lord’s service within and beyond the church;Read more…