Pacific Rim News

News, Pacific Rim
News from apostolic spheres in the Newfrontiers family of churches In recent days I have, from time to time, given news updates from around the apostolic spheres of Newfrontiers as I have become aware of them. Here are some extracts from a recent newsletter from the Pacific Rim. In UK summer holidays are upon us so this will be my last post for a few weeks.   A Word from Peter Brooks... I recently had the privilege of hearing John Maxwell speak on Leadership. Having enjoyed his book over the years, I can only say I loved him even more in the flesh. I think for me, his focus and passion on making Christ known was profound. The thundering message that rattled through the arena in Sydney as he spoke…
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Mobilising Volunteers pt 9 – Training

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Volunteers
We have been looking at ways of creating a fulfilling and positive experience for volunteers serving in the church. Personal affirmation As well as team activities there are things that can be done with only a little effort that will make a person feel appreciated. For instance, birthdays provide an annual opportunity to make someone feel special. A card gives the opportunity to express how much that person is appreciated not only for what they do but, even more important, for who they are. It is good to tell people that their lives have a positive effect on others; often people do not realise how others see them and they need commending. You can also add a box of chocolates or flowers to the card. Training Another way of showing…
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Mobilising Volunteers pt 8 – Team Building

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Volunteers
Often people are invited to serve as part of a team. The individuals may well be more diverse than would be the case in an employed environment as the reasons for volunteering are not entirely based on skills and ambition. I remember, for instance, visiting one church overseas and finding that the Deputy High Commissioner for the UK and his family were members of the church. I then observed how he and his wife served faithfully among the children on a Sunday, not too proud to be scrabbling around on the ground with young children getting covered in paint and glue! They knew what it was to serve humbly without seeking any acclaim from man. I am sure the Lord was pleased. For such a couple to be led by…
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Mobilising Volunteers pt 7 – Accountability and Feedback

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Volunteer
Last time we saw the importance of having clear definition of a role or task with agreed expectations. How do we ensure that these expectations are being met? Accountability A vital part of managing staff, whether paid or unpaid, is communication and support. There can be a tendency to ‘cast off’ a volunteer and let them ‘get on with it’, particularly in the midst of a busy schedule. But accountability is very important both for checking that progress is being made and to assure the individual of your commitment and interest. It also encourages reliability if someone knows that they are being monitored in a constructive way. I once led a Stewarding Team in our church, many years before I served on the welcome team mentioned in part 3. I…
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Mobilising Volunteers pt 6 – Mutual expectations

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Volunteer
So far in this series we have seen how fulfilment, satisfaction and motivation are key aspects of serving, particularly in a ‘volunteer’ (unpaid) capacity. But, just as in a paid job, management and accountability are essential for achieving satisfactory outcomes these are also true for the ‘volunteer’. So what are some of the key management or leadership features that will produce good results and a happy team? Job descriptions Although a job description sounds a bit formal for a volunteer position its purpose is the same as for a paid role – a clarity of expectation. As leaders it can be very frustrating if we delegate a job and then find that it has not been completed to a satisfactory standard or in the way we had intended. Whose fault…
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