Consultants' Corner

Q: I've spent the last year putting together a core team to help me with the assimilation process of new members at my church. We've created new systems, restructured the connection process, and have experienced many blessings. Now, a year later, the team is starting to fizzle and I'm afraid I'm going to lose everyone and will have to start over to find and train new team members. What can I do so I don't lose the progress it's taken me a year to achieve?

A: Sounds like your team needs to be energized for the long haul! Let's diagnose the problem first. Did this group see themselves as a task force to get a job done, or a long-term team to help your church with assimilation ministry?

A task force usually meets to solve a specific problem or complete an assignment. A team is driven by a passion or a ministry focus, and develops through different stages of growth. If your group is ready to walk out, they may see themselves as having completed their task.

Now's the time to reorganize and transition the group from a task force to a team-based ministry. Use these steps to make it happen.

1. Celebrate- Someone once said, "The healthiest people are the ones who know when to say yes, when to say no, and when to say whoopee!" Celebrate your success these past 12 months. Have a party. Energize your people by letting them know how God accomplished great things through their service. In a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving, ask the group who's willing to recommit to the vision and move forward.

2. Closure- For those in the group who feel they need to move on, let them. It's hard to let faithful workers go, but the alternative is they continue in guilt or obligation. Give them your words of affirmation, perhaps a gift of appreciation, and wish them well.

3. Covenant- For those who want to remain with the group, now is the time to make a convenant. A covenant is an agreement that your group will determine its mission and purpose as it moves forward. Who will do what? What goals do we want to accomplish, and how will we accomplish our goals? Be sure to include a completion date so everyone knows what the expectation is for how long they will continue to serve. Add new people to replace those who leave.

4. Community- With a newly committed group and covenant in hand, begin the process of developing relationships! Pray, play, plan, and share! Get to know your team members personally as the people God has sent you, rather than as workers to get a job done. Build "warm-up" exercises into your meetings to encourage personal sharing. Schedule some of your sessions in homes or at a local Starbucks. Allow the group to minister to each other as they serve the greater purpose for your church.

Turn your current frustration into an opportunity for growth, reorganization, and renewed energy that can take you to the next level!

Bob D'Ambrosio has 25 years' experience with volunteer administration at churches in Michigan, Illinois, and Texas. He now serves as a consultant and trainer with Church Volunteer Central. For help with your volunteer questions, contact Bob by clicking here.

Copyright © 2006, Group Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.