You’ve got a team of volunteers you love to lead. When you consider the scope of your team, you see talent, skill, joy, and passion. And you know that if you can focus all of that in the same direction, the ministry you lead could reach further faster than you could ask or imagine.
But you know there’s a critical step to bringing all the talent, skill, joy and passion together. A necessary shift from infrequent serving rotations to frequent serving rotations. You’ve heard it can be done. But you’re not sure where to begin.
I get it. I’ve been in your shoes. In fact, there are a few simple steps to take to move your volunteer team from random serving rotations to weekly.
So, if you’re tired of your volunteer schedule looking like a cruel game of connect the dots, you’ll love this tool. Download the Be Weekly Volunteer Playbook and move your volunteer team to greater frequency and better ministry.
I’m excited to announce a new project I’m working on with Cindy Fiala that just released today.
Let me tell you how this started.
As leaders, Cindy and I find ourselves in really challenging conversations around topics that don’t have easy answers. They aren’t one-and-done.
These topics are rooted deeply in theology, ideology, culture and opinion. These topics are typically tackled behind closed doors and often off-the-record. Why? Because they’re hard. We walk away most of the time scratching our heads and hopeful that future dialogue will make the best actions steps clearer.
The power of these conversations shape us each time we have them. We don’t walk away with clean answers. But we always walk away with renewed conviction to keep leaning in.
So, we decided to give people the opportunity to listen in. To lean in with us.
But let me warn you. You’ll hear things with which you don’t agree. You’ll question perspectives we share. That’s okay. Honestly, I often question my own perspectives. But that the beauty of growth. None of us have arrived.
So, while we’re being shaped… enjoy this series of conversations we titled: There’s That | Conversations that disrupt your leadership in the best way.
Last week I had a pretty incredible conversation with some ministry leaders. We all serve in different contexts in the US: Colorado, Tennessee, Massachusetts and North Carolina.
Our churches vary in size and context from large multisite (5000+) to small single location (500+).
Our skin colors vary from white to light skin to brown skin.
We got together to talk about a topic that is gaining momentum with every news cycle.
The realities of racism in our culture.
Later this week you’ll get to see that video conversation and hear the words of some incredibly graceful, intelligent and powerful leaders who experience the realities of racism every day. And we get the gift of learning from them.
But through the course of that conversation I felt a deep sense of conviction.
Each leader described their experiences growing up in environments where they looked different than those around them. Navigating questions and assumptions about their race and culture. As I listened, I wondered how implicit I’ve been in perpetuating the racial discord in my own community. I can say with integrity that I would never do anything deliberately racist, but is my lack of intentionality part of the problem?
My lack of learning what every kid, student and parent needs to feel safe at my church. My lack of studying, researching, and reading to shape my thinking. To sharpen my filter through which I can examine how well my ministry reaches all families. Not just the white, middle class, suburban families that mimic my own.
Do you find yourself in a similar situation? Are you looking for ways to make your ministry environments safe for all families? My friends and fellow leaders helped me shape some thoughts that can help. Take a look at five ways to improve cultural sensitivity in your ministry.
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Look at your Volunteer Team
When you consider the kids and students that come to your church, does your volunteer team on stage reflect the varying ethnicities in your audience? In other words, when a dark skinned first-grader participates in your elementary service, will she see someone that looks like her teaching the bible story? Will the boy with asian features see a leader that looks like him leading a small group? Will the fifth grader who’s bff is wheelchair bound see that his church is a place where his friend can belong?
If the adults and students that comprise your volunteer team do not reflect the audience they’re reaching, are there changes you can make?
I love this thought,
“Your team should reflect both genders, as many races as possible, and people of different abilities. This is important even if these kids are not currently in your ministry. This lets the children in your ministry know that your church values all people, whether they are in the room or not.”
[bctt tweet=”Your team should reflect both genders, as many races as possible, and people of different abilities. This says your church values all people, whether they are in the room or not.” username=”paula_dannielle”]
Consider How You Communicate
What words do you use when communicating with kids, students or parents? Is your language inclusive or exclusive? Does your messaging assume two parents living under one roof? Or do you consider the single parent home, the foster parent home, the minority home? Does your storytelling or sermon consider the varied living contexts or economic status of your audience? Or does it assume only one?
When talking to kids and students, check your posture. Are you eye level? Or looking down at them? Are your arms folded? Or hands open reflecting an open mind and heart? There’s a power dynamic at play. Ignore it and you run the risk of making a kid/student feel unsafe.
Whether its the lobby, hallway or worship environment, everywhere a kid, student or parent walks conversations are happening. How can you create sensitivity within your ministry so they feel safe?
Let Them Volunteer to Participate
We are all in different phases in our faith journey and abilities. And we have no idea what a kid or student has experienced outside the walls of our church. Forcing participation can be an unintentional trigger that easily makes them feel unsafe. So, continue to invite participation without forcing it. Forced activity isn’t fun. And forced faith isn’t faith at all. It’s just religious practice. Respect the process and give them space to participate in their time.
[bctt tweet=”Forcing participation in your ministry can be an unintentional trigger that easily makes a kid or student feel unsafe.” username=”gina_mcclain”]
Intentionally Shape Your Perspective
What shapes your perspective today? What books are you reading? What podcasts are you listening to? What resources are you digging into to expand your understanding of diversity and the varying contexts in your audience?
We can only lead others as far as we’ve taken ourselves. So, what steps can you take this week to shape the way you think?
Here’s a Bonus: Download the Be For Them resource guide for a quick start.
Complete the form then click on "Click Here to Download Guide". You're well on your way to learning & growing cultural sensitivity in your ministry.
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Widen Your Circle
If someone checked your phone today, what story does it tell? Does it reflect calls, texts and video chats with a homogenous group of people? Or does it reflect the level of diversity you wish to reach in your community?
A big part of breaking down the walls of racial divide has more to do with bringing people into your inner circle that look and think very different from you. People whose life experience can shape your perspective. People whose opinions and ideologies can sharpen yours.
I’m not an expert in racial reconciliation. I’m just another leader like you that wants to make an impact on every kid, student and parent that engages with my church. And doing that requires that I grow, learn and love. To see people the way Jesus sees people. Their hearts. Their faith. Their world. Not their appearance.
Before we can make a difference, we have to make a change.
[bctt tweet=”Before we can make a difference, we have to make a change. ” username=”gina_mcclain”]
“People will remember whether they needed you in this season or did not.” -Patrick Lencioni
I heard this statement last week. I’m really not sure if Lencioni actually said it. Can’t seem to find the quote anywhere. So… Patrick, if that didn’t come from you, my apologies. It sounds like something brilliant you would say.
Regardless of the source… that’s one compelling statement.
In fact, I would contend that its the most pivotal question a church leader could ask today.
Will people remember whether or not they need us in this season?
[bctt tweet=”I would contend this is the most pivotal question a church leader could ask today. Will people remember whether or not they need us in this season?” username=”gina_mcclain”]
As a ministry leader, I don’t know how you would answer that question.
When you consider your online platforms, you can look at an array of data to see how you’re engaging families with your online content. Unique views, total views, minutes viewed… the analytics can be overwhelming. And the analytics can tell you a story. But do they tell you the whole story?
The analytics can give you a glimpse of who is showing up. But how can you discover who is NOT showing up? And how can your ministry show up for them?
[bctt tweet=”Your online analytics can give you a glimpse of who is showing up. But how can you discover who is NOT showing up? And how can your ministry show up for them?” username=”gina_mcclain”]
I can’t help but believe Patrick has introduced a powerful thought here. One I think we need to wrestle down.
Will families remember they needed you in this season? Will they remember they needed…
… someone to show up in the form of a phone call to find out how they’re doing.
… a helpful conversation guide to equip them for better conversations with their kids.
… connection to a community resource to meet a practical need.
… a friendly reminder that they are seen, known and loved.
We are memorable when we get personal. The question we must wrestle down is… how do we create personal connections in today’s ministry context?
How do see, know and support families that have yet to engage your online platforms?
How do you show up frequently enough for them to say you were more than kind… you were personal?
[bctt tweet=”We are memorable when we get personal. The question we must wrestle down is… how do we create personal connections in today’s ministry context?” username=”gina_mcclain”]
In fact, you don’t have to build that system on your own. There are ministry leaders across the nation leaning into this question and tackling this challenge together. And you can join them. You don’t want to miss it.
Working with Gina was one of the best learning experiences of my career. Gina not only brought a sensible, no-nonsense attitude to the table, she had a way of casting vision that I have rarely seen. In a few short months, she was able to bring our team together with a common mission and goal. She was able to build and help us implement processes and procedures into our systems that had been missing for years.
Gina's strategic mind combined with her deep care of those she leads is a combination that leaves a mark on anyone who is fortunate enough to sit under her leadership. I'm forever grateful for the impact she has had and continues to have on my life.
Gina is willing to listen.
Working alongside Gina and her leadership is a blessing because she allowed me to learn from what I produce from the coaching tools she delivers. As a leader, Gina shows that she is not perfect, and expects imperfection from her team as well.
The biggest aspect that I love about Gina and her leadership is her willingness to listen, and not just look for a solution.
Gina is a strong leader.
She is gifted in strategy, vision, and communication. Not only is she gifted, but she cares deeply for the church and seeing people come to know and understand how loved they are by their perfect Heavenly Father. Gina has great experience in family ministry and has personally helped develop me as a leader for the next-generation!
Working with Gina has been a gift.
Working with Gina the last several years has been such a gift to me! She has a way of asking questions and sharing her wisdom to help you move your ministry in a direction you never thought possible. She helped me take a ministry that relied heavily on one person and create a structure that supported teams of leaders and teachers. Our ministry today has so many people that are owners of their areas of ministry because of the coaching I received. Her counsel in my life personally and with ministry has been such a gift to me! If you are looking for someone full of Godly wisdom and practical advice that will challenge and encourage you along the way, she is it!
Exciting, Rewarding and Challenging
While the world of working in ministry is ever changing, the goal never wavers. Staying true to the vision becomes increasingly important and Gina has an ability to bring clarity to that goal, while inspiring and challenging leaders. Working under Gina's leadership was exciting, rewarding, and challenging. Gifts were brought to light, hurdles were broken and clarity was brought to every situation. Even in the moments of feeling stuck in leadership, movement happened. Gina has a gift for providing the next step no matter where the start point may be, but always in the direction of the end result.
An Incredible Mentor
Gina McClain has been an incredible mentor and coach of mine for the past several years. Her real world experience and humble vulnerability make her advice both wise and relatable. She is great with processing strategic systems, brainstorming new ideas, casting vision, and seeing the big picture. Gina has helped develop me into a much better leader and see things differently with new ways to grow.
Working with Gina was an absolute joy.
She has the amazing ability to take things that seem jumbled and disconnected, zoom out, and bring clarity of vision to any situation she’s faced with. Gina’s a unique leader who isn’t able to just cast strong vision but can actually give you the steps to make it happen! And of course the added bonus is that it’s just plain fun to work with Gina!
She Makes Things Fun
It was one of the greatest honors to lead under and alongside a leader like Gina. She has a powerful gifting to bring clear vision and strategy to teams while also stopping to walk through individual scenarios with care and intentionality. She makes things fun and understandable while leading a team always with the greatest balance of strength through vulnerability and wisdom. I have been changed as a leader because of working with Gina.
Thriving Culture
She guided our team towards a coaching structure, selection of key leaders, and ensured we had an optimal environment to welcome kids and families while not wavering on a safe and engaging experience.Her leadership and guidance not only strengthened the foundation, our team naturally grew because people were seen and known. The team quickly became a community with a thriving culture that people wanted to be a part of.
