Our theme this week is Making Members Stick. One way you can make your members stick is to give them responsibility. And when you help a new leader step up in the church, both that person and your congregation can grow. Below are a few criteria to help you decide when someone is ready to lead.
Readily accepts responsibility. Potential leaders don't lay low when their services are needed. Willingness to volunteer for small projects is an important characteristic. This means that some of the most able leaders might be behind the scenes.
Understands informal social rules. It takes time for a person to understand how a church works—officially (by-laws and constitution) and unofficially. A basic competence in church dynamics is essential. In some churches, for example, raising your voice in a committee meeting is taboo; in others, it's expected. No matter what the qualifications, someone who cares about and seeks involvement in church life is a greater asset than someone who is unconcerned or too busy.
Knows the people. Christians may be ready for leadership when they indicate that they understand the people in the fellowship. A new member who has not established a network of relationships within the church is probably not ready for leadership. This is not the same as people skills. A person may be brusque but also understanding and caring.
Agrees with the church's general philosophy of ministry. When dealing with newcomers who haven't had many opportunities to reveal their philosophies, look at their behaviors. If your church is running a stewardship campaign, don't appoint someone to the committee who has not pledged.
Taken from Assimilating Visitors into Your Church. Originally appeared in Leadership journal, copyright 1991 Christianity Today International.
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Good criteria. I have had two different experiences in joining churches. In one, it seemed like leadership was closed and you almost had to wait for someone to die or leave to be accepted into a leadership role, no matter what you thought God was telling you. In another, there was so much thirst for help that the emphasis was ion plugging everyone in immediately. Neither was right.
I do think new members should be given some idea of the church's philosophy so they can have a clear picture and be more relaxed about their assimilation.
Thom
http://thom-signsofastruggle.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Thom Hunter | October 8, 2009 10:02 AM
Thank you for the reminder that sometimes we need to look at leadership in the church with the eyes of a visitor. One of the ways that I do this is to meet the visitors in the Foyer after church and ask them what was the most positive event in the worship experience? Most of the time you will hear both positive and negatives in the conversation. This gives the members and leadership a place to start.
Posted by: WysWoods | October 9, 2009 5:57 AM
This is really very good post and interesting to read all about church.Thank you very much for giving such a good information.You have done a good job.
Posted by: creatine | October 30, 2009 6:37 AM