Casting Vision - Building the Team.
When I arrived in Visalia we had a team of 20 people serving in the student ministry.
They are a great team with amazing hearts for God and his people. However, knowing in my spirit what God was calling us to do, I knew 20 workers was simply not enough. We needed a bigger team.
So we decided to do a push for volunteers. Instead of putting “We Need Your Help!” in the bulletin we decided to take step by step approach to inspire people with the vision God was giving us and giving them an opportunity to join the team.
Here are the steps we took to grow from 20 volunteers to up to 120 in three weeks.
Step One - Preached Message.
I preached a message titled “Sam I am” with the hopes of inspiring individuals in our congregation to take the steps necessary to make a difference in the life of at least one person. At the end of the message I talked about making a difference in the context of student ministry and invited them to a special V.I.P Dinner for those who wanted to find out more about the vision of the student ministry and the role they could play.
Go to SAM I AM to watch the message I spoke.
Step Two - Sign Up Booths in the lobby.
We had sign up tables strategically placed by every exit door of the church, so that weekend no adult could leave the service without walking by our table. At the table we had a sign up sheet asking for their name and number as well as a card with all the details of the V.I.P. Vision Dinner.
That weekend we had more than 140 people sign up.
Step Three - Showed Video.
The following weekend I was out of the country speaking at a leadership conference in France. So I before I left we shot a video of me sharing the vision of student ministry and inviting them to sign up for the V.I.P. Vision Dinner right after the service.
Step Four - Sign Up Booths in the lobby.
After each service that weekend we once again had tables strategically placed by every exit. Inviting people to sign up for the dinner.
That weekend we had 50 more adults sign up to attend the V.I.P. Dinner.
Step Five - Called each person to confirm attendance.
Inspiring people to sign a card is one thing, but getting them to attend the dinner is something altogether different. So my amazing team personally called all 190 people that signed up. Reminding them about the dinner and asking them to confirm their attendance.
Step Six - V.I.P. Vision Dinner.
On the night of the dinner we served a terrific pasta meal, with salad, green beans, rolls, and dessert. I spoke about the heart beat of our student ministry and the step by step process we are going to take to reach, relate, and renew the lives of teenagers in our area. At the end of the message I asked the 130 in attendance if they felt God calling them to join our team in student ministry and 100 people took applications to serve on our team.
It was so cool to see the passion in the eyes of the people of our church, as I talked to them about what God was calling us to do. I am so honored to have the opportunity to work alongside of my new friends here at VFA … together we are going to make a difference.
TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR TEAM.
1) SHARE THE VISION:
People are not moved by your need they are moved by your vision.
2) HAVE THEM RESPOND RIGHT AWAY
The same week you share your vision, have opportunities for your listeners to respond.
3) MAKE YOUR RESPONSE LOW COMMITMENT AT FIRST
Don’t ask them to commit to serve at your sign up booth - that is to much to ask. Simply invite them to a dinner or another meeting to find out more about the role they can play.
4) INSPIRE THEM AT YOUR MEETING
You are the keeper of the vision - inspire the people with what God has told you to do. If you are not excited about it … they will not be either.
5) FOLLOW UP RIGHT AWAY
For those that sign up to serve at your meeting - follow up with them that same week. Call them to set up appointment - Start the background check procedures - Meet with them to place in ministry.
