Tomorrow is a work day at the park and I can't wait. We'll have several eager volunteers ready to roll up their sleeves, get dirty, and get some work done. Still there will be many people that "want" to show up but won't. Over the past few years of offering somewhere around 60 serve opportunities a year, we have learned that serving isn't everyones thing... whatever that it is. (But it should be) In the bible... Mark 10:45 it basically says that even Jesus came to the earth to serve. So why aren't more people ready and willing to serve, why isn't there a line of people saying... I'll get that. Well, there are many reasons. One, we are all too busy. Two, we are all too lazy. Three, it's not the easiest thing to be like Jesus. I contend that there is another reason. It's because serving isn't presented in the right way. Jack Hyles said "God's people can't be shamed into serving Him, the must be challenged". So here are some tips to challenge more volunteers so you don't have to voluntell people to do stuff.
1. Let them feel like they get in on the planning... Listen to them.
2. Don't make the job so hard that it requires tons of training.
3. Don't make the job so easy that people feel less than needed.
4. Ask for a commitment. Not a legally binding contract, but an "are you with me" conversation.
5. Re-tell the vision often with high energy and intensity. (people need to know WHY)
Begin these steps and watch the culture of your volunteers change.