Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24 NIV
A few weeks ago I wrote to you concerning knowing your own self. Now I encourage you to know those that support, assist, and lead in ministry alongside you. A deep kind of knowing someone is found in many ways: having casual conversation, finding out about their background, knowing what’s going on right now in their lives… It is important to be aware of all this and more as you do ministry alongside someone.
Oftentimes I find myself guilty of thinking that everyone starts the day as a blank slate. However, things weigh on other people just like they weigh on me. Knowing someone deeply creates an environment in which you can be aware when someone needs a break…or when they really need to talk.
It is also advantageous to have discussions with your volunteers about gifts for ministry. Often these kinds of conversations don’t happen frequently enough. Conversations about gifts offer you and others opportunities to name things that are gifts for ministry as well as areas in which we can be supported. Put simply, these are times when we learn that we’re not Superman or Wonder woman…and that’s ok. Knowing each other at this level allows for an openness about who can lead when, where, and what best.
If you’ll allow it, I’d like to compare it to a sports team: if you know the abilities of the players on a team, you’re less likely to ask them to do something that they are uncomfortable or just plain unable to do. At the same time, if you know the abilities of the players on a team, you’re more likely to “play to their strengths.” The hope is that this knowledge of skills and talents makes it more likely that things will go smoothly in your ministry. And yet, times of failure provide opportunities for learning and growing.
Open yourself and each other up to these conversations so that feedback/constructive criticism and praise go hand-in-hand in your ministry.
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Russell Bowlin (twitter) is the Director of Ministries for Youth and Young Adults at FUMC Victoria in Victoria, Tx. Read more of his thoughts on his blog http://www.russbowlin.blogspot.com