100 Things I am Thankful For

A Mindset of Thankfulness

I am thankful for:

1. Salvation
2. Coffee
3. Sushi
4. Laughter
5. Having a sister growing up
6. My wonderful mother
7. An awesome church
8. Mentors in my life
9. Friends
10. A wife who deals with my idiosyncrasies
11. Books
12. The Old Testament
13. Music
14. Singing
15. Creativity
16. Possibility
17. Hiking
18. Nature
19. Sunrises
20. Plants
21. I am tumor free
22. Glasses
23. Comfortable pants
24. a hilarious daughter
25. a precious son
26. something always new to learn
27. technology
28. love
29. Holy Spirit
30. The New Testament
31. cars
32. two legs
33. one good ear
34. two lungs
35. bacon
36. great church staff
37. 10 years of ministry
38. grace
39. forgiveness
40. ability to serve in military
41. a job
42. a house
43. a bed
44. heat
45. electricity
46. two parents still alive
47. grand parents
48. midland
49. living in the country
50. prayer
51. the Cross
52. an Empty Tomb
53. an Occupied Throne
54. 'Merica
55. education
56. college
57. books
58. Godly counsel
59. people that cause me to exercise grace more frequently
60. vision
61. calling
62. dreams
63. spiritual gifts
64. obstacles
65. setbacks
66. unmerited favor
67. peace that passes understanding
68. joy unspeakable
69. teeth
70. rainbows
71. unlimited potential for spiritual growth
72. kisses from a daughter
73. unanswered prayer
74. answered prayer
75. techno
76. dubstep (don't judge me)
77. red bull ( I said don't judge)
78. vitamins
79. eggs
80. chick-fil-A
81. fishing
82. the privilege of Worship
83. God's hand of protection
84. rain
85. cantaloup ( it is pretty awesome )
86. deep fried turkey on thanksgiving
87.  hot showers
88. toothbrush ( a rather modern invention )
89. friends who disagree
90. science
91. telescopes 
92. microscopes
93. apologetics (like William Lane Craig)
94. weaknesses
95. God's jealous love
96. passionate people
97. crazy relatives
98. weird people
99. truck drivers
100. toilets (what a useful device)

I challenge you to write a longer list.  Go.

Lessons to Learn from Noah

Some life lessons that we can learn from Noah:

1. It wasn't raining when he built the ark.
2. Don't miss the boat.
3. Stay in shape - when you are old you might be asked to do something big.
4. Don't listen to critics, just keep on with the job.
5. Build your future on higher ground.
6. Sometimes you need a good long cruise to get a fresh start.  
7. Remember we are all in the same boat.
8. If the economy seems dim, remember Noah floated his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.
9. Speed isn't always an advantage, the snail was on board with the cheetah.  
10. Remember the Titanic was built by professionals, but Amateurs built the Ark.
11. No matter how long it rains, there is a rainbow waiting after the storm.  
12. And finally, pack at least two of everything on trips.  

Do Christians have to ask Forgiveness for Sin?

I will remember their sins no more... Hebrews 8:12

This week I had someone get fairly mad at me because I stated that he/she did not have to pray and ask forgiveness every day.  I explained that at the point of salvation we are forgiven of past, present, and future sin by the blood of Jesus.  We are completely righteous in the eyes of God.  (2 Corinthians 5:21)

This whole conversation was prompted because I said that if Christians meditate on the righteousness that comes from sin, we have the power daily to conquer sin.  Well this made them mad too, because they said only Jesus could be perfect.  I explained that Jesus commanded the woman caught in adultery to "go and sin no more."  We are also told in the new testament, "Be Holy as I am Holy."  If these were not possible then Jesus would not have instructed those things.

This person explained that they were still a sinner, though saved by grace.  This is a false mentality.  Jesus does not save us so that we can think we are still a sinner.  No we are called to follow Christ in thought and action.  We have become sanctified through the washing of the blood.  We have been given a new nature.  And all this has to do with a mindset.

First, I present the mindset of conviction:

1. I'm not perfect
2. I'm still a sinner
3. I will mess up
4. God sees me as a sinner still
5. I need to ask forgiveness every day

Now let me present the mindset of righteousness:

1. I have been made righteous through Christ
2. I have a new nature
3. I am no longer dominated by a sin nature
4. God sees me as righteous
5. I walk in a state of constant forgiveness

If we still believe that God sees our sin, we will still walk under that condemnation.  God no longer sees our sin.  He has removed it as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).  God is no longer angry at us because he poured ALL his anger for our sin on his Son Jesus.  Now we no longer walk under condemnation.  (Romans 8:1)  

I truly believe that when a forgiven, regenerate Christian goes to God every day to ask forgiveness for sin God says "What sin are you talking about?  I don't see any."  

Our sins are gone.  They were placed upon the body and divinity of Jesus Christ.  Jesus took our sin and gave us his righteousness.  As the Father sees the Son, is the same way that he sees you as his Child.  This is the Gospel.  This is unconditional love from God.  

Automating the Important

Winner of the "No"Bell Prize

What makes the alarm clock such a powerful invention and an important tool?  It's value lies in it's function - it does what you can't do.  When you are sleeping, you CAN'T remember to wake up.  Now I have heard that some people can.  Some people say that they get out of bed every morning at 5:45 or so on.  But that would never be the case for me.

When I was in college, I had FOUR alarm clocks.  This was before the day of the iPhone's and multiple alarms.  I would set them in different places throughout my room at 3 minute intervals, so by the last I walked to the end of the room for the last one I should have been enough awake.

Alarm clocks help you sleep better because you can "set it and forget it."  Hopefully, you don't have to lay in bed wondering if the alarm clock will actually go off in the morning.  The beauty is that it does an extremely important task for you, and takes the stress off your brain for having that responsibility.

Your alarm clock is powerful because it: AUTOMATES THE IMPORTANT.

Now, what you need to start doing is applying the alarm clock principal to the other areas of your life.  If something is important it needs to be automated.  What do I mean by that?  If spending time with your children is important, it should be automated on your schedule.  Life does not naturally happen the way we want it to.  I imagine you want to be the best mother or father you can be, but when it comes to time spent at home, there will always be emails to respond to, bills to get paid, and phone calls to return.

It's not that we plan to fail, but we simply fail to plan.  Some people would think it is arrogant to "schedule" time with your children or your spouse, but have you ever considered your doctor arrogant because he scheduled you for an appointment?  No your doctor is smart enough to know that if people just show up whenever they want to, the day will be a mad house.  For most of us, our day looks like a mad house because we haven't scheduled our patients (minutes) to do the things we want.

So what kind of things should be Automated?

1. Schedule time with your Spouse (like a weekly date night, and time after the kids go to bed)
2. Schedule time with your Kids (pretend tea parties on Tuesday, Go get hot cocoa together, etc)
3. Schedule time with your Self (time at the Gym, mowing the Yard, time to write and think)
4. Schedule time with those important (for four months I have been "wanting" to go see my GrandPa.  Something always comes up.  Schedule something on your calendar now for those who are important to you)
5. Schedule the important Tasks (for example ------> )
1. Email from 9 - 9:30
2. Phone calls from 9:30 to 10
3. Weekly planning on Monday from 10 - 11
4. Staff Meeting on Tuesday
5. Write 1 follow up card a day
6. Finish your sermon by Thursday Morning
6. Schedule time with God
1. Put your time with God on your calendar.  He knows you are busy.  He gave you the job and/or the school you are going to.  If your quiet time/ devotional time is @ 6 every morning, then write it down on your calendar.  DON'T EVER MISS YOUR APPOINTMENT.  What I mean by that, is if you have somewhere to be early, ask God if you can re-schedule or later in the day.  Maybe he will say no, and maybe he will say that you need to get up @ 5 because he has some really important stuff to show you.  

Once your calendar becomes automated, then it becomes more stress free.  You don't have to think about, "man I really need to talk with this person"  because it is already on your schedule.  And it is ok to make an appointment for small conversations.  Even if an item will take 15 minutes to talk about, do it over lunch and use the other time just for connecting.  It is better to have 15 minutes of undivided attention over lunch then trying to talk with someone on the phone while the kids are yelling and dinner is about to be ready.  Give people (and God) your undivided attention.  They, and YOU, deserve it.  

Who is the Worship Leader in your Home?

We know that the husband is the Priest of the home (Ephesians 5:23) just as Christ is the High Priest of the Church.  But who is the Worship Leader in the home?  Most churches these days have a Pastor and a Worship leader, so the question becomes "if the husband is the Pastor of his home, who is the worship leader?"

The role of a Worship Leader in church ministry is to "lead people into worship."  This is done in various forms:  through song, through responsive reading, through an invitation if possible.  But ultimately, that person helps to point us to Christ.  I think each household should hold a business meeting (according to Robert's Rules of Order of course) and nominate the wife as the Worship Leader of the Home.

Here are a few reasons why I believe Christian husbands can benefit from sharing the spiritual formation role of the household with their wife as the worship leader.

My wife leads me to worship because:

1. My wife leads me to worship because when I see her, I see God's grace on me to give me such a blessing, and that causes me to worship.
2. My wife leads me to worship because she is God's compliment to my shortcomings and that points me to worship of God.
3. My wife leads me to worship because she challenges me to be more than I already am, and I worship God for that accountability.
4. My wife leads me to worship because the place of humility I find in family leadership causes me to lean on HIM constantly and worship him for his strength which enables me to sustain.
5. My wife leads me to worship because she cooks incredible meals and without her I would probably starve.
6. My wife leads me to worship because her unconditional love is a reminder of the covenant relationship that flows from Christ.
7. My wife leads me to worship because she is incredibly beautiful and I praise God she is fearfully and wonderfully made.
8. My wife leads me to worship because she is the most incredible mother of my children I could imagine.  
9. My wife leads me to worship because her voice is full of grace when I've messed up, joy when we celebrate, and laughter when we play.
10. And finally, my wife leads me to worship because my relationship with her is a reminder of the everlasting joy that we will experience in our relationship with Christ.  

To any wife out there:  it will often be the husbands role to discipline, to be stern, and to instruct with regards to righteousness.  Just know that your gifts as a woman of God have the powerful opportunity to help him and the rest of your family worship the Lord.  

Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Developing an EMSR (Early Morning Success Routine)

One of my favorite author's frequently uses this quote that really sticks with me:  "Your success is hidden in your routine."

Have you ever wondered how Firefighter's are able to hear an alarm in the middle of the night, jump out of their beds and be on the way down the road in the fire engine with full fire gear in minutes?  The answer is because they have a set routine.

But what do most of our mornings look like?  We waste minutes searching for the right outfit, waiting for the coffee to brew, dragging around to try and wake up.  We need a firefighter mentality about our mornings.

Let me introduce to you the concept of EMSR (Early Morning Success Routine).  Your brain is going to take time to get rolling in the morning so you don't want to give it any room for error.  You probably already have a routine, but is that routine getting you in the mode for a successful day?  Maybe there are some elements that you should add or modify to get the greatest impact.

I will share an example - last night I spent an hour or so giving my infant son a bath, getting his PJ's on, giving him a bottle and getting him ready for bed.  I knew me 3 year old daughter needed a bath also.  I had already spent so much time with my son, that it was past my daughter's bed time, so the epiphany was this:  let her hop in the shower right after I do in the morning.  The water is already warm and I will be in the bathroom shaving to tell her what to do.  Now, my early morning routine is allowing me a little extra time at night for bed-time stories or quality time with her.  This is what your EMSR should do.

My most powerful EMSR occurs on Sunday Mornings.  (It's like my firefighting day, since I am a Pastor).  This is what it looks like:

1. 4:15 Wake up
2. Drink a glass of water (This is important.  Your body is very dehydrated from the night, and before you start throwing caffeine down the gauntlet, you need at least 8 oz of water. Sometimes I will also drink milk or chocolate milk because it coats the dryness of the throat.  Refer to this post about the Strongest Man in NC who does OJ and Chocolate Milk every morning.)
3. Coffee from the Keurig (I use the sixty seconds the coffee makes to get my computer ready and turned on.)
4. Reading (During the week, I have a reading goal of 30 minutes from a book.  On Sundays, I turn my attention to blogs focused towards my task for that day.  One that I love is http://biblicalpreaching.net/ )
5. Prayer My prayer time is broken into 3 Categories:
1. Talking to God (I do this with a Prayer Notebook.  I write a one page prayer)
2. Listening to God (Reading from the Bible.  Normally 1 Psalm, 1 Proverb)
3. Conversing with God (Talking is one sided, but Conversing involves speaking and listening.  My morning prayer times aren't necessarily long, but straight and to the point."
6. Writing (On Sundays, my attention is focused towards making any modifications to the sermon, editing, reviewing, and writing out illustrations to get clarity.  During the week, I use this time for blogging, and book projects)
7. Breakfast (I don't like to cook much, but breakfast is a joy.  Six months ago, we started raising our own chickens for eggs.  Each morning I have a 4 egg omelet with sausage, oatmeal, and fruit.  This is normally where I incorporate my OJ)
8. Encouragement (Once I sit down for breakfast, I want a final encouragement before I stand up to encourage others.  I do this by listening to a sermon from one of my favorite pastors - John Piper.  You can find his sermons at http://desiringgod.org)
9. And probably the least glamorous part of my EMSR but none the less important is going out to feed the chickens and collect eggs.  If forgetful me can provide for chickens every day, then it reminds me that my Father in heaven will surely provide for me as well.  

The rest of my week involves the same steps but the steps are shorter.  And no, I don't get up at 4:15 on other days of the week.  I would love to know what your EMSR look likes and what changes you are thinking of making.  

Just remember, "Your success is hidden in your routine."  

How to Date your Wife

She's Still your Girlfriend

     Seven years ago next week, I married my girlfriend.  She is still my girlfriend today, and we still date like we were teenagers.  We still hold hands in the car, bring each other surprises, and schedule times together as "Date Nights."

     I counsel with a lot of couples, and the main thing I hear from women is they want to be "romanced" by their husbands.  All men are good at romance; that is how they win their wife.  But life gets in the way of romance instead of romance getting in the way of life.

     My first advice to couples who are needing to rekindle that spark in their relationship is the creation of a date night.  I suggest that it is done every week.  And, I suggest that the man plan it.  It takes time, work, and creativity but the payout is always excellent.   I somewhat suggested this in the post:

10 Things to Make your Wife Fall in Love Again

But here, I want to help them men out by listing some ideas that are FREE and even low cost alternatives for date nights.  Let me say that my favorite date night is simply going to a movie, (we normally eat Cinnabon before hand, don't judge) .  The following is a list of ideas, suggested by my great friends on facebook:

1. Going fishing
2. Frisbee Golf
3. Pick strawberries
4. Nature hike or trail walk
5. Redbox movie with popcorn
6. Community events page for free things like concert
7. Drive-In Movie
8. Order Happy Meals, and have a picnic
9. Go watch airplanes take off and land
10. Bicycle ride
11. Paddle boating
12. Trip to the Zoo
13. Board game night
14. Turn lights off and dance
15. Cook dinner together
16. Go to a cooking class
17. Go to a painting class
18. Go to an art museum
19. Have a picnic in your own yard
20. Camping trip
21. Late night grocery shopping (without the kids)
22. Make home-made ice cream
23. Plan tennis
24. Raquetball
25. Jogging
26. Dream Shopping (picking out things for a dream house)
27. Trip to farmer's market
28. Visit pet store and play with puppies
29. Paint her toenails
30. Down-town walk, and foot dip in the fountains
31. Bird watching
32. Star/Moon Observation
33. Shopping
34. Walk around the mall
35. Test drive nice cars
36. Egg someone's house
37. Last one was a joke
38. Go to a church service
39. Serve at a shelter
40. Visit relatives together
41. Go park on a backroad
42. Ride go-carts
43. Golf balls at driving range
44. Lazer Tag
45. Ice Skating
46. Visit library
47. Walk through nice hotels
48. Scavenger Hunt
49. Geocaching
50. Pickin' wildflowers
51. Visit an auction
52. Stroll through Antique Stores

There you have it men; 52 weeks of ideas.  Surprise your wife, and tell her date night is this Friday.  Go and have fun.  Rekindle that romance.  Let her know that she will always be your girlfriend.

How to Disprove Evolution

We Sure have Come a Long Way

     This is an introductory post on the evidence against evolution.  Actually, each one of these items could be a whole separate post in their own right, which I may do eventually.  But for now, this is a basic outline why some of the smartest minds in the United States and across the world believe that the universe displays evidence of being designed by a brilliant intelligence.  For more information on the conspiracy against Faith - see the movie "Expelled" by Ben Stein.

I've taken the word DESIGN, and created an acrostic out of it.  

1. Design shows a Designer
2. Evidence is Lacking 
3. Structure Doesn't Arise from Chaos
4. Irreducible Complexity
5. Genesis of Life
6. No Continuity 

By familiarizing yourself with the six principles, you will have a grasp of evidence and logic against the "theoretical" science of evolution.  There are two types of science; observational and theoretical.  The first observes things that we can see and things which can be replicated in a laboratory.  The second, deals with things we can't see and can't be replicated in a laboratory.  Much of it is conjecture.  The good thing about

Why is the Bible hard to Understand?

Is the Bible hard to Understand?

Many times, I have friends and family tell me that they have a hard time understanding the Bible.  They ask questions like:

1. Why does the Old Testament seem confusing?
2. Are Christians still supposed to read the Old Testament?
3. How should I read the Bible when it doesn't make sense?
4. Which parts of the Bible should I read?

This morning I was reading an article by one of my favorite preachers: John Piper.  Here is the article:

How to Dig Deeper in Bible Study

As I was reading, a few things started occurring to me after he said this:

"When Paul says it is all inspired by God and that it is profitable so that you will be equipped for every good work, I believe he means that even the parts that are hard to read, or even sometimes confusing, will in the long run have an effect on your mind and your soul that will shape you into the kind of person who can stand strong all your life for Jesus..."

Pastor Piper was referring to this scripture from Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16:

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

When it says that all scripture is God-breathed and is useful, it is referring even to those scriptures which are hard to understand or that you don't understand at all.  Even though you don't understand them, they are still able to edify your spirit, and are still able to water the seed of the Gospel which is planted in your heart.

Aren't there many other things in life we don't understand, but they do benefit us?

1. I don't understand how medicine works, but I still take it to help my body.
2. I don't have understanding while I sleep, but it is good for my health.
3. I don't understand everything about a computer working, but I still use it for benefit.
4. I didn't understand why a coach made me do something thirty times in a row, but it made sense later.
5. I didn't understand why my mother wouldn't let me do some things, but I understand now.  

1 Corinthians 14:15 shows us there is a difference between what our mind understands and our spirit understands:

"What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

Sometimes we are not aware that prayer is helping us, but it is.  We are not understanding that worship is helping us, but it is edifying our spirit.  The same is true with the Word of God.  

Since being a Minister for 10 years, there are things I read in scripture 10 years ago which God is just now revealing to me.  Every day is a new joy as I open the Word of God, and God builds revelation upon revelation when we are faithful to the study of the Word.

Even when you don't understand the Bible - keep reading.  Even when it seems like a chore and you are not enjoying it - keep reading.  Even when you have a million things to do which seem like a benefit - keep reading.

As the Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13 - "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."

Do you know that Paul studied the scriptures for years while he was killing Christians, but never understood it?  But then Jesus revealed himself to Paul, and the prophecies of the Messiah made sense.

10 years from now, you will thank yourself for what you started reading today.  Read with the spirit, not just with understanding.  May God bless you through his Word today.  

How to Fire a Volunteer

It Doesn't Have to be Sad

This is Part 10 in our series about "Creating a Volunteer Plan."

The way to alleviate most of your personnel problems is having a clear enlistment process.  By following the previous steps during your volunteer recruitment, you can put the right people in the right place.  But sometimes, things just don't work out.

The problem is, there are a lot of people in ministry who don't fit, but are there because no one else could be found.  If you can't find a good volunteer, it is better to have no volunteer.  Let me explain what I mean.  If you need a Sunday School teacher, but can't find someone with the gift of teaching, you will be doing more damage than you will good by putting someone to serve who isn't called.  The church doesn't operate with the "good-ol-boy" system.  This happens to often in the deacon ministry; just because somebody is a big wig in the community does not mean they are spiritually fit for serving as a deacon.

So whatever the reason, you come to a point where a volunteer is not working in their current position. There are 3 possibilities for dealing with this scenario:

1. Divert - another ministry area
2. Deflect - another time (use time periods)
3. Decline - have backing of deacons or leadership

If you come up with any other possibilities, let me know.  Here is one good thing that you can start promoting as a leader, and that is "As new members come in, we will make room for their gifts by reassigning some current Volunteers into new positions."  What do I mean by this?  Take for example Susie.  She has been the church clerk for 30 years, and no one has given her any relief.  Maybe a new young couple joins the church, and this wife or husband really has the gift of administration.  The church clerk must be detail oriented and very oriented.  So you approach Susie by saying, "Susie you have served in this position a long time.  It would benefit the church if some of our new people were allowed to use their gifts in this area.  Would you be willing to allow some of our new people to serve and give you a break?" See what you did?  You said, "Would you be willing."  If they say no, then they are not willing that new people serve, and you have a whole other problem on your hands.

Let's get back to the other 3 tactics for dealing with Firing (Reassigning Volunteers):

1. Divert - This is the most helpful scenario.  If someone is currently working in an area that is not of their gifting, it will be easy to show them where they are gifted.  If you will consult the article on "How to Recruit Volunteers" , you will see that finding and spotlighting a person's dominant gifts are a main way of putting them into the right way.  Imagine you have someone teaching a children's class who is really not gifted with children, but they have the gift of service.  By explaining to them that their ministry would be more effective on the bereavement team or encouragement team, you are "DIVERTING" them into the proper place.  The conversation would go like this:  "Rick, I know that you are a very good cook.  We would love to have you on our bereavement team and help provide meals for hurting families.  You would be so much more valuable there, and it would also allow some of our new people to get a chance and serve in the children's ministry."  You encourage them by focusing on a dominant strength, and not the weakness that they have.
2. Deflect - One of the greatest strategies I have ever heard is putting a time-frame on serving in a position.  Most churches do this by having a 1 year term of service.  If you are nominated to be the Children's Choir director, it will be for a period of 1 year.  Some do it on an even smaller basis.  I know one church that does small groups in a tri-mester.  The rule is that a small group teacher can only teach 2 tri-mesters out of the year.  With this rotation system, you have a natural break that will occur, and then your nominating team or leadership can decide if that person will again serve in that position.  If not, you can "DEFLECT" the problem by waiting until their time of service runs out.  Sometimes problems are not to bad, and waiting would cause a lot let problems than taking action.
3. Decline - This will be the hardest of the three.  There comes a time when an issue stems from either a moral failure, an action that is irreparable, or because of divisiveness that someone simply has to be let go.  If this is the case, you must run it through all channels of leadership including but not limited to:  Head Pastor, Deacons, Nominating, and/or Personell.  There is no way to beat around the bush, but simply let the person know that because of the recent events, they are no longer allowed to serve in the current capacity.  In some scenarios, it will be best to ask them to leave the organization to calm any further problems.  This will be tough, but will be essential for the health of the rest of the group.

It's not easy making these decisions, but you must rely on the timing of the Holy Spirit to lead you.  You will have these problems, but hopefully as your volunteer system becomes more ingrained, they will become less and less.  

Our last post in the Volunteer Plan will come soon - Accountability.

How to Multiply Volunteers

This is part 9 in our Series on "Creating a Volunteer Plan" .  And by this time, the factors are compounding on themselves to lead you into a culture of volunteer multiplication.

In science laboratories, they observe bacteria in something called a "culture."  In the right culture, bacteria will spread and multiply like wildfire.  When you create the right culture for volunteers, they will multiply naturally.

As we mentioned in post 7 about "Encouraging Volunteers," what you Celebrate is what gets repeated.  Not only repeated in the lives of the individuals, but in the lives of others.  In 9 years of youth ministry, I was privileged to see 17 young people accept a call into ministry.  Whenever this happened, I always made a BIG deal out of it.  Other young people saw their peers desiring to enter ministry, and that opened the door in their own heart for asking God about that path.

As you celebrate and recognize volunteers, others will see not just the accolades being made, but the difference being made.  One thing I try to do from the pulpit is recognize servants who are typically behind the scenes.  Some organizations struggle to get volunteers because most don't know how many other people are actually serving.  By recognizing the vast amount of people who are doing things that would otherwise go unknown, you are informing the rest of your group to a culture of service that is already there.

Here are a few simple ideas to start the process of Volunteer Multiplication:

1. Have Volunteers share testimonies of their time involvement during your service
2. Invite Volunteers to an after party celebrating a successful event
3. If a guest or visitor tells you about being impacted by a volunteer, most definitely share this in newsletter, bulletin, or publicly.
4. Delegate Volunteers to find 1 or 2 people to serve for the next event.

I would like to spend a few moments touching on the last idea.  If you have not heard this before, there is a good bit of truth to it; "Sheep reproduce sheep, not shepherds."  The most effective recruiters of volunteers will be from your current volunteers themselves.  Yes as a leader you are to promote vision, you are to encourage, and you are to guide, but once you start training your own people to start duplicating themselves awesome things start to happen.  

To give you an example, this year our church had it's first Easter Egg Hunt event for children.  We prepared for 50 children which would have been huge for our church.  We enlisted enough volunteers for 50 children.  The only problem is that 92 children showed up.  We didn't have enough prizes, enough hot dogs, or enough eggs.  But next year we will know better.  Many people did not see how successful the event was and how much fun it was to minister to those children and families, but the volunteers who were there did.  Next year when it comes time to recruit new volunteers, this would be the successful formula to help you out as the leader:  If each person that served would find 2 or 3 people to serve in their ministry area, the need would be taken care of.  So then you as the leader equip your people to cast vision to others, and become duplicators.

This completely makes sense with our last post of "Releasing Volunteers" because you are creating a system that could and will carry on without your presence.  

In conclusion, the best way to multiply volunteers is not simply release them to serve, but release them to reproduce themselves.  Good sheep produce good sheep.  

How to Release Volunteers

Getting them Off the Ground

     Not only am I a Pastor, but I also serve as a Jet-Engine Mechanic in the NC Air National Guard.  I've spent 11 years maintaining jet engines on C-130 cargo aircraft.  This post in our series on volunteers utilizes illustrations from aviation, and relates them to the system of "Releasing" Volunteers so they can fly on their on.

     If you haven't read this post about THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL, you will notice that the first commandment of Sunday School, or in any ministry system for that matter, is to immediately start giving it away.    Mike Yaconneli, a deceased but famous youth pastor, said "The best ministry is the one that can operate smoothly once you are gone."  This post about releasing volunteers is to ensure that if there was a time you are gone, your people will be equipped to lead.

As in Aviation and the Volunteer system, there are 5 Steps to Releasing:

1. Start-Up Checklist
2. Runway Taxi
3. Control Tower
4. Full Thrust
5. Take-Off

There are 4 engines on a C-130.  These engines are made by Rolls Royce - Allison. Yes they are the same people that make the Rolls Royce luxury car.  Each engine costs over 1 million dollars a piece.  Great care and efficiency is taken when doing maintenance on a 1 million dollar engine.  So let me ask you this - how much are your volunteers worth?

How to Encourage Volunteers

     How many times have you done something in your position or ministry, and no one noticed?  How discouraging was that?  Did it make you want to do more or do less next time?  You can say what you want, but I can mention the statement made by former SBC President Johnny Hunt to a friend of mine: "If you reward your servants well, they will never want to serve anywhere else."  This brings me to the main theme of Encouraging Volunteers:

What is Celebrated is what gets Repeated.  

     The primary difference between you as a leader (whether it be pastor or youth pastor) and a volunteer is this:  you get paid and they don't.  For you, being paid is most times what keeps you going.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  You need to feed your family, and as the scripture says in 1 Timothy 5:18 "The laborer deserves his wages."

     In our last post about ministry, we talked about how lonely it can be.  That is true.  But I would rather be lonely and get paid.  Your volunteers do it for nothing.  But, they are paid.  What do I mean by that?  Everyone has some form of currency (other than money).  For me, it is words.  My love language is words, and I need people around me who can encourage me.  What you need to do, to ensure the longevity of your volunteers, is find out what their love language is, and show them support in that manner.  Now, if their love language is touch, you will have to substitute something else.  I don't want to write a post about why you were fired.

      If you have never done so, go and grab the book called The Five Love Languages by Dr. Chapman.  If you are married, this book will be of tremendous value.  If not, these principles will work volumes for showing your volunteers they are appreciated.

     But how will you determine the love languages of your volunteers?  First, try asking their spouse.  Ask "what is their favorite way to show they love you."  Normally, the way people show love most is the way they best receive love and affirmation.  Or, you could ask their children, or possibly their parent (if they are a young adult volunteer).  But you must do some research.  You could even create a Volunteer Enlistment Form that has a question such as "When you were a kid, what did your parents do that showed you the most love?"  For me, my Mother was an affirmer through Words.  My father on  the other hands was not good with words.  His choice option of love was gifts.  So my secondary love language is gifts.

Here are the Love Languages and sample ways you can show volunteers how much they mean to your ministry:

1. Words - Everyone can be affirmed through words.  This can be done through recognizing the efforts of a volunteer from the pulpit or from the stage.  I try to make a practice of sending 5 thank you cards a week to people who have done special things - Nursery Workers, Deacons, Ushers, Greeters.  A little thank you goes a long way.   Get a neat stationery set of cards and keep it right on the top of your desk.  Start making it a practice to send one card a day to a student, parent, volunteer, or someone who simply needs the encouragement.
2. Gifts - The key to gifts is not necessarily the nature of the gift itself, but the surprise factor.  One of my greatest volunteers in youth ministry always talked about wanting to go play paintball with the students.  I noticed on my calendar that this guy's birthday was rolling around (what?  you don't have your leader's birthdays on a calendar?) so I went and found an inexpensive paintball mask for this guy.  If you've ever played paintball, the crappy rental masks will make you want to never play again.  So this was a really neat gift that wasn't expensive.  I drove to his workplace on his birthday and surprised him with his own paintball mask.  He thought it was the greatest thing in the World.  Other gifts can be as simple as a Starbucks gift card, soap or candles for women, maybe a pocket-knife for men.  
1. There is a man at our church who for a long time had the largest sunday school class at the church.  Their class who sometimes have between 30 and 40 attenders.  Every year, he would throw a Christmas party, and he would personally get a gift for every person in the class.  It was always something small, but something neat.  Those people knew at the end of the year that they were valued.  It's the thought that counts.
3. Quality Time - This one is pretty easy.  For those who are loved by quality time, your best bet is taking some time out of your schedule, and investing in this person.  If you are a guy, this will be more advantageous.  You guys can go fishing, (once I took a volunteer to the gun range) , once I went with a guy to a clay shooting range, etc.  The people you spend the most time with are those who are most likely to take time to serve when you need them.  Everyone has a love "bank."  (one of the best principles I read about in the Love Languages book)  You need to make deposits in their banks in order to get a return
4. Acts of Service - Almost every volunteer you have, will show love through acts of service.  They are actually doing that by being a volunteer.  But how do you show acts of service back?  Well an easy answer is helping them when they need help.  Find out what they are doing on the weekend.  Maybe they are building a deck;  go help.  Maybe they are spreading pine straw;  go help!  You don't have to do something like this often, because I know your schedule is busy.  But doing an act of service for a person who has this love language will be HUGE.  It really helps too when you just show up in work clothes as a surprise.  They will never forget it.
5. Touch - You are kind of out of luck here.  Unless you are a woman loving on women, this doesn't work any other way.  So my advice is:  everyone can use a firm handshake while looking in their eye and saying thank you.  When the time is right, men need a hug too.  And, a high five will boost someone's spirits any day.  I suggest you stick with the other 4 love languages, and do them really well.

Celebrate the small moments.  When you see a worker take care of a problem that wasn't necessarily their job - celebrate that.  When you see a Volunteer do a really outstanding job - celebrate that.  Start creating a culture of celebration and encouragement.  Remember - What is Celebrated is what gets Repeated.  

How to Lead Volunteers

Leadership ain't Easy

"Everything rises and falls on Leadership." - John Maxwell

"Leadership rises and falls on Prayer." - Jesse Watkins

The world's definition of leadership is different than the Christian's definition of leadership.  The leaders of the world hang around upper-level offices.  The leader of the Christians hung on a cross.  Our leader was everything we need to be, and we must not fall into the temptation of worldly leadership systems.

When thinking about leadership, and simply doing a blog overview, there are 7 aspects that should be touched on.  These are:

1. Being a good follower
2. Being a person others want to follow
3. Being what you want others to be
4. Being able to solve problems
5. Being steady in a storm
6. Caring more than the average person
7.  Being ready for conflict

1. Being a Good Follower - 
1. The first leaders of the Christian church spent 3 years being followers.  Jesus knew that if he could find 12 followers who followed well, they would also be able to lead well.  For most people, you are probably doing double rolls as a leader and a follower.  As a youth pastor, you are following the senior leadership, but you are also leading those under you.  Even as a lead pastor, you are following the head shepherd your entire life.  A Spiritual leader first off is a follower of the spirit.  "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." - Amos 3:7   
2. You will learn more about leadership while following than you will by leading.  Why?  Because you are learning from the perspective of a follower.  You will see what is done good and bad in leadership.  I encourage you to keep a notebook during all the years you are a follower.  Take notes on what worked and what didn't work.  Ultimately you realize that even when a leader is doing something you don't necessarily agree with, you still follow.  I'm not talking about something morally or theologically wrong.  I'm referring to difference in practice.  The question is:  when you are a leader, how will you cause people to follow, even when they don't particularly agree with you?  The answer is in the next point---->
2. Being a Person others want to Follow
1. There is a person of God that is always attached to the Vision of God.  When Jesus called his disciples, they didn't first follow a mission or a cause; the followed HIM.  If we contemplate on it, Jesus was of the caliber of person that others simply WANTED to follow him.  He was of such character that men simply dropped their fishing nets and followed.  So let me make this point:  Character always trumps Skill.  
2. Your character is the most valuable asset of your leadership.  The first goal of a leader is to Protect your Character.  This is why Billy Graham always adhered to the rule of never being alone with another woman.  And after 50+ years of ministry, no one was able to label a character attack on him because he maintained such a standard.  
3. People want to follow those who believe in what they are doing.  Is your church the most important place someone will come to all week?  I believe it is.  I have no reservations about constantly and consistently inviting someone to our church, because I sincerely believe that it is the most important place they will go all week.  They will hear the most important message all week (God's Word) and be around the most important people all week (God's People).  Recently, we enlisted a new director of Pre-School ministry.  I truly believe this is the front-door to reaching new families with young children.  It is one of the most important evangelistic ministries we have.  Whenever I had a face-to-face interview with this person, I let them know that I truly believed what they were doing would make a HUGE difference in our abilities to reach people.  
4. You need to be so passionate about what you are doing that it actually becomes part of who you are.  It is what you talk about all the time, what you think about all the time, and what you study about all the time.  You need to become an expert about the field you are in.  Once you really believe in what you are doing so much that you bleed it, others will want to follow.
3. Being what you want Others to Be
1. People will not do anything you are not willing to do.  If you expect those that follow you to invite people on a consistent basis, then you need to invite people on a consistent basis.  You are not too good to do anything that others should be doing.  Matter of fact, it is IN the doing of those things when they will observe it and understand that they are to do those things too.
2. Go above and beyond what you want others to do.  If you expect your leaders to be 15 minutes early for services, then you should be 30 minutes early.  Actually, you should be an hour early so you can go to your office or the Altar and pray over whatever is about to happen. If you expect your leaders to follow up with those in their care group once a week, then you should be following up with your leaders once a week.  
3. Whatever you want to see displayed is what you must first do.  And do it just as good as you want them to do.
4. Being Able to Solve Problems
1. It may be more proper to say "Being WILLING to solve problems."  Most often leaders are able to solve problems, but not willing.  I think one definition of leadership could be - "Solving problems that others are not willing to solve." We see this in the life of young David.  No one else was willing to go and fight the giant.  But young David steps on the scene, and he is willing to battle a problem that no one else is willing to fight.  This is your job as a leader, and if you fail to solve problems, then you fail at leadership.  
2. It is during a problem that followers need their leader most.  Then this means that every problem is an opportunity to excel at leadership.  They are watching you to see how you respond.  They are watching you to see if that passion you talked about is still there when problems come.  
3. Sometimes you won't make the best decision, but you will have to make a decision.  When you do, go with it as it the the BEST POSSIBLE DECISION.  If you don't believe in the decision you made, then your followers won't either.  You may not have a clue what you are doing, but act like you do.  Here's why we can act like that:  because we are confident in God's faithfulness.  If you have spent the time with him in prayer, we can trust his provision in action.  
5. Being Steady in a Storm
1. Everything will fall apart.  There will be days when nothing goes according to plan, when the people you count on don't show up, and you will have the option:  Either pack up and go home, or Keep Leading.  
2. I've been situations where the Worship Team falls apart and we have no musicians.  What did we do?  Sing a cappella.  What happens when you have 5 new children show up, but none of your nursery workers are there?  You just smile and jump in that room until someone comes to help.  They will wonder why you aren't their to lead the service, and someone will come.  Whatever it is, a leader does it with a smile.  No problem is too big for God not to fix.  A leader must have more faith than anyone else.  The storm will come, but you remain steady.
6. Caring More than the Average Person
1. Followers will never care more than you.  If on a scale of 1 - 10, you care at a 7, your followers will care at 4 or 5.  What this means for you, is that if you want your followers to care at 8, you must care at 10+.  When one of your members or teenagers walks in and doesn't laugh and smile like usual, you must care more than the average person.  Go find out what is wrong.  When one of the members of your prayer team doesn't show, most people would not give it another thought.  But you must care more than the average person.
2. If you ask someone to create a sign directing new visitors to a check-in area, and that someone spends about 10 minutes when you would have spent an hour.  You must care more than the average person.  Hold them to the standard of excellence that you expect.  Say, "I know you are very creative, and I believe that you could create something much more attractive that would really tell 1st time visitors that we care.  
3. You could spend about an hour preparing a training for your volunteers.  But you must care more than the average person.  I remember the 1st deacon's meeting at my new church.  I asked one of the ladies in our church who was a great cook if she would make a pie for our deacon's meeting.  Those deacons (some who had been serving for 40 years) said they had never had pie at a deacon's meeting.  Do you know that meeting was fantastic?  I attribute it to the extra care that was shown in something as simple as Pie.  It showed I cared more than the average person.  The only bad part - they expect pie at every deacon's meeting now.  
7. Being Ready for Conflict
1. The first pastor I served with told me this; "The best part of the ministry is the people, and the worst part of ministry is the people."  I've seen this hold true.  The best part of ministry is seeing people changed by the power of God, and the worst part of ministry is seeing conflict that comes about because of the power of sin.  
2. I have pretty much come to expect that with any initiative, any change, any improvement someone will have something negative to say about it.  They will try to cause conflict because of what you are trying to do.  The question is not "when will conflict come."  The question is "How will you react when it comes?"  The best thing you can do is be prepared and expect conflict and negativity that comes along with ministry.  Often, those who are closest to you are the first ones to let you down.  It boils down to what is your sustaining force.
3. The sustaining force of ministry must be the Holy Spirit and the ever-present Grace of Christ.    When this is the primary encouragement we receive in ministry, it won't matter when everyone else seems to have left us alone.  
4. You will feel lonely most of the time in ministry.  That is because you are the leader.  Yes you should bring others with you.  Yes we should focus on the companionship of the Spirit, but you will feel alone.  These times will force us to cling to the Cross like never before.  But don't lose hope; don't lose focus.  You must be willing to go against the grain before others realize that they need to follow.