As a leader, the most important asset I have are volunteers. They pull with me as hard as they can toward the same goal - helping people know they matter to God. Without them, I can only do what I alone can do, and that's not much! What can I do in response - especially at Christmas - to thank them?
In past years, we've brought many of our teams together for a meal over the holidays. The teams have grown, and financially, it was just time to find another way. The solution - simple. Spend time together and thank them.
Jeff and I spent a couple evenings this week hosting the volunteers from our Group and Care Ministries to a Christmas Open House in our home. It wasn't fancy - no truffles, cheesecake, or things I couldn't pronounce. Cookies, Oreo pudding, and anything with marshmallows, popcorn, cereals and green and red M&M's mixed in was more the order of the evening!
I really love these people, so I just did the best I could to let them know how much they matter to me and give them a chance to hang out with the people they love.
I wrote this post on caring for leaders a couple years ago. This remains unchanged. There are four things great leaders must do for the their teams: Connect, Value, Include, and Challenge. They don't just happen. I have to be intentional.
Mark Waltz and others have done it for me, and I want to be a great leader. There's no greater purpose I can give my life to - I want to serve Jesus well by serving those he loves.
You have just encouraged me to offer a simple open house thank you to those who serve together on our small team...it is truly the relationships that matter, and to celebrate them is a gift.
Thank you!
Posted by: Kathy Pride | December 19, 2008 at 10:08 PM
You might be interested in learning more about a new movement called "I Matter" at www.lifeway.com/imatter. Your post was a blessing.
Posted by: dawn cornelius | February 26, 2009 at 09:30 PM