The longer I’m in the ministry the more I realize the importance of allowing your volunteers to step up. My biggest pet peeve is those leaders that feel the need to do it all. The announcements, the preaching, the games, the offering, are great ways to get your leaders involved, even if you believe they’re not ready.
For the last month I did a complete change up. I no longer do the welcoming, announcements, or lead the game. This gives my leaders exposure to students and an opportunity to lead, and the best thing is IT’S WORKING!. I am seeing leaders beginning to chat with students they weren’t chatting with before, I am seeing more involvement from students AND leaders. This gives about 4/5 different leaders exposure every week. By the time I speak the lesson my mind is clear and focused. Here are four ways to have your leaders become more involved:
1) Give Them Information: Let them know a week in advance of the areas for their involvement. Let them know of the game and what’s involved, let them know what the announcements so they’re not reading from a piece of paper.One thing we’re thinking of is having one leader do a specific role for a term of one month.
2) Pep Talk: Before they go up, give them a little pep talk (if they need it), maybe guide them a bit. Last week I went up to one of my leaders leading a game and I told him to use the energy in the room for his advantage.
3) Debrief: After that night, chat with that volunteer about suggestions to be more effective.
4) DON’T MICRO MANAGE: We all have different personalities. Allow them to lead with theirs.
