I know that in most situations there will be a staff member who is paid to do this, BUT, when a volunteer builds a team of other volunteers it’s different.
Almost three years ago, our team was informed that our Worship Pastor of 8 years was leaving in 8 weeks. I was asked to step in and be the leader of the ministry. Eight weeks is not enough time to build a team of people to volunteer to lead a ministry, I was the only “official” leader that was in place. So I took inventory and picked six people to be leaders in strategic positions of the ministry. Lucky for me our team was willing and able to do this.
I was told later that they felt since I was willing to make sacrifices as a volunteer that they could also.
For paid staff members, let your volunteers lead and build teams as much as you can, you will be amazed how awesome they really are and you can do what you were hired to do, oversee it all and watch God do miracles through them.
Like a proud parent watches their kid ride a bike for the first time, it just scares the crap out of you but man, what a rush!!!
on Sep 27th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Mike, you are my hero. I hope people read this and more of your story for inspiration. Our worship team would not be what it is without you.
on Sep 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Mike,
Right on! Last week my position at my church was transitioned from full-time to volunteer status. (financial issues)
I’m actually excited about the change. I hoping like you say that others will see the effort I’m putting into volunteer and feel better about their contribution. I also see this as an opportunity to spread out my leadership to others. Folks who would not have stepped up before when I was paid are now more willing to step-up that I’m a volunteer too.
on Sep 27th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Great advice. I am in a situation where I am going to have to lean more and more on leadership from volunteers, due to growth. It is good to hear encouragement from someone who has been there.
Thanks…
on Sep 27th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
As a staff person in various ministries of the church including now the worship team, I have always been taught that our job is to enable and equip the laity to use their gifts to glorify God and build up the church. Anything we can do, including stepping out of the way, and encouraging our volunteers to discover and use their talents is a great thing. Love the blog, I look forward to what will come in the future.
on Sep 28th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Good advice, I like the heart behind what you say and who you are!
on Sep 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
You ROCK Bro!!! PrayN4ya
on Oct 1st, 2008 at 8:28 am
[...] at Tehilla Music Blog my friend Mike Dalton has written about leadership from a volunteer’s perspective on the worship team. Check out! Share and [...]