JUST PUDGE

One of the things I LOVE doing is getting the chance to answer questions that other CM people have sent me via email (pudge.huckaby@gmail.com). I actually encourage people to send me as many questions. I will definitely not always have the answer, but someone reading might. I enjoy doing this for 2 HUGE reasons…

1. The local church is the hope of the world, anything I’ve learned that I can share to strengthen that and grow the Kingdom is time very well spent!
2. I have a passion to write about the stuff that matters and is relevant to our readers

Normally I pick a few questions from different peoples, but today’s are from one reader (not sure if they want their name out there, so I won’t at this point). I picked these questions because the seem to focus on how to approach volunteer situations and that’s a great topic! Let’s dig in…

1) How do you handle issues with inappropriate dress?

I’m assuming we mean with volunteers…? My suggestion is to communicate the standard early and if its still an issue, promptly and prudently confront it in private. Have females talk to females and males talk to males. Also, strive to end the conversation in an encouraging fashion but don’t be afraid to confront the situation.

2) How do you handle volunteers who are repeatedly late?

Approach with understanding, but none the less approach them. Try having a 5-10 minute meeting before service where you cast vision, give information and pray with them. Also, have snacks and drinks for them during this time. Also, just kindly letting them know you missed them (being there early) goes a long way. If they think no one notices them being late, then they think it doesn’t matter.

3) How do you stress the importance of knowing (not reading) curriculum?

Again, make expectations known early and give kind subtle reminders when you see them reading it on Sunday before service (like, “catching up on that lesson Pudge, busy week huh? ). Also, remember, the goal isn’t to MAKE people read the lesson, but for them to WANT to read the lesson. Review your material and make sure it caters to your volunteers. Look at length, verbiage, practicality, etc.

4) What is the most efficient way to recruit (volunteers/leaders)?

As simple as it may sound…ask them. Many times we don’t recruit well because we want God to just send the people instead of us knowing and asking them. Great recruiting comes down to three things…

1. Take care of the volunteers you’ve got (when they talk about what’s happening, others will come)
2. Cast vision (the kind that challenges and makes us look forward to what’s coming up)
3. Give ownership to volunteer leaders (you can’t grow until your leadership is in place)

5) What is your biggest challenge?

I’ll put it this way, I always try to remember these key phrases..we can’t do it on our own, if we aren’t being proactive…we’ve failed, Christ wants the church to succeed even more than me, there’s a big picture…don’t just focus on your ministry, be humble, obedience before praise, and if we are called…we NEVER quit…we can’t it’s not in us!

Ok, that’s enough of me talking…I want to hear from you guys! What stories or suggestions do you have that could answer these questions?

Also, what is your biggest challenge ( I want to know!)? Email me at pudge.huckaby@gmail.com and maybe your questions will go up next!

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 7:44 am and is filed under CM TACTICS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.