My colleague, Mark, was at a conference yesterday, where someone suggested ‘job descriptions’ for volunteer positions in church.

I can see a lot of benefits in this – clarifying expectations (what the role involves, what skills/character are required, the time commitment), and avoiding some of the misunderstandings that can eventuate when responsibilities are delegated.

I’ve included a couple of examples before. Does your church do this? Would it be helpful? What would be unhelpful in this approach?

Here’s a very simple example from Mars Hill:

UPDATE

I’ve put together some ‘Volunteer Role Descriptions’ for the following positions at Saturday night church. I’d welcome any feedback on how these could be improved:

• Volunteer Role Description – Barista (PDF)
• Volunteer Role Description – Hospitality Team (PDF)
• Volunteer Role Description – Welcoming Team (PDF)

I’ve been brainstorming ideas for new welcome packs at Church by the Bridge (it’s been a while since we’ve had them). Below are 10 examples I’ve discovered – click on the images to enlarge, or ‘see more’ for other images of the packs.

Seen any other good examples? What does your church provide?

1. Rock of KC (see more)

2. C3 Whitehorse (see more)

3. Rancho Community Campus (see more)

4. The Community Church (see more)

5. Bridge Church (see more)

6. St Barnabas (see more)

7. Mutley Baptist Church (see more)

8. City Church Belfast (see more)

9. Capstone (see more)

10. Shepherd Drive Baptist Church (see more)

I just finished reading the free ebook by Church Community Builder – “Getting Disciple Making Right”. You can download it here.

Here’s how the book is described:

“In seven chapters, this free ebook unpacks how to build a system to inform and validate decisions, define and measure engagement, leverage data to discover members, track human interaction, capture evidence of cultivation, uncover historical data and evaluate results to justify personnel and programs.”

This is a helpful book for considering how technology can help churches carry out their mission, especially in understanding the power of data in a growing church.

To be honest, I struggled with a couple of statements, for example:

“Businesses make or break their bottom line based on their ability to deepen the level of engagement with their customers. American Express symbolizes this process with their Green (introductory), Gold(mid-level), and Platinum (premium) charge cards. Someone at American Express is responsible for moving customers to the next level. If American Express is so intentional about communication, shouldn’t the church be also?” (page 31)

I don’t understand the logic of “businesses operate like X, therefore churches should do likewise”. I’m as much for technology as the next tech-friendly church guy, but I’m wary of making quick jumps of practice from the business world to the church.

That said, it’s well worth a read. Download it here.

Church isn’t a spectator sport. Church is a family. And yet, many Christians have little more involvement in family life than rocking up to the family dinner late, and leaving as soon as they’ve finished their meal.

This is an issue common to many churches. Two books have been helpful in thinking this issue through:

• Simple Church by Reiner and Geiger, and
• Comeback Churches by Stetzer.

Here’s 29 reasons I’ve heard or heard of, that people give for not serving (I couldn’t think of a 30th, but you’re welcome to contribute!).

Sometimes there are genuine reasons why people don’t serve (number 1 is at the top of this list), and various circumstances of life. Other times, the reasons are less convincing. In other cases, there is more that can be done by ministry leaders to encourage people to use their gifts to serve.

It’s a heart change, not a guilt trip that will lead people to serve. But as ministry leaders, I think it’s helpful for us to understand the reasons and excuses people provide, as we pray for their hearts to change, and pray for wisdom as we seek to encourage them to use their gifts for the benefit of God’s family, to the glory of God.

1. I’m not a Christian – I’m checking Christianity out.
2. I’m a member of another church – I come here for more teaching/to meet other Christians.
3. I’m too busy with work.
4. I’m too busy with family commitments (we have kids).
5. I’m too busy with family problems (e.g. my sister’s sick).
6. I’m too busy with other things (e.g. preparing to get married).
7. I’m married to an unbeliever who doesn’t like it when I go out.
8. My husband/wife and I don’t get to spend much time together so the week nights/weekends are precious to us.
9. I don’t know what opportunities are available.
10. I don’t have enough information about the available opportunities (e.g. what would be required  of me to serve on a fair trade market?).
11. I don’t know what gifts God has given me.
12. I don’t have the skills required to serve in the available areas (e.g. I don’t know how to use the computer to operate PowerPoint)
13. No one asked me.
14. I’ve come here from another church because I’m burnt out. I just need to be fed for a bit.
15. I’m serving in other ways outside of church.
16. I don’t want to commit to anything in advance (I’d like to keep my options open).
17. I live too far away and it’s a struggle to get to church outside of service times.
18. The staff team is paid to serve so I don’t have to.
19. I don’t know anyone who’s serving in the area I would like to.
20. I serve the people I know by encouraging them in their faith.
21. I’m generous in other ways (e.g. with my money).
22. Serving is what the young people do – they’ve got the time and energy.
23. We’ve just got married and we’re concentrating on our marriage for the first year.
24. Everything seems under control – I’m not needed.
25. I offered to serve, and no one followed me up.
26. I offered to serve, but I wasn’t needed (e.g. I was told the ministry was full).
27. I served for a while, but I felt unappreciated and no one thanked me.
28. I don’t get anything out of it.
29. I just don’t want to.

What would you add to this list?

Too busy to serve? I like this quote by Andy Stanley:

“Too busy to serve at your local church? FYI: Every Sunday you attend your local church you are served by very busy people. Get involved!”

I’m doing some thinking at the moment about how to make our ‘church news’ segment in weekly church services more effective. Here’s a helpful series from Hillsong explaining how they plan and produce their church news video ad each week.

The technology and people resources available at Hillsong will never be available to most churches – but the thinking and processes behind producing the news (and videos in general) are mostly universal and really good to learn from.

Part 1 – Planning

The making of church News Part-1 from Nick Khoo on Vimeo.

Part 2 – Production

The making of church news Part-2 from Nick Khoo on Vimeo.

Part 3 – Post-Production

The making of church news Part-3 from Nick Khoo on Vimeo.

Here’s an example of church news:

Hillsong Church News from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.