WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ALL ABOUT

With the global pandemic, we are all having to face a new norm, so it is more important than ever to involve staff, volunteers and ministry teams in idea sharing and service. Minister Madge Obaseki will cover key points in this important topic.

FULL TRANSCRIPT

It’s no understatement to say that this has been one of the most difficult years in living memory for every level of society with the ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic and that includes the Church. Local churches have had to adapt from being building centric to online services, digital communication and distance relationships. While some have done well, others are still trying to work out the new normal. Yes, I really think things have changed.

One thing is evident. As local churches we are more dependent than ever on our congregation’s involvement in the new ways of doing things. So, today I am going to speak briefly about how you can encourage your congregation to be more active.

As a consultant, I often get asked this question by leaders in the Church often. It seems to be a pain point for many. Apart from my own experience serving as a volunteer, later as a member of staff and in recent years being commissioned by local churches, I’ve noticed that the most successful teams are the ones who are empowered to contribute ideas and serve.

Whilst not every idea can be included, we can honour each person's opinion by considering it and discussing. Even if their ideas must be rejected for practical or logistical reasons, if they are taken seriously, they will still be motivated and as a result more involved. I have found that the more involved people feel, the more responsibility they take on and therefore the more active they become. A sense of ownership by your congregation, members, laity or ministry team has got to be good news. You see Senior Leaders are widely thought of as the font of all knowledge, and as such are expected to present ideas and solutions. That is just too much pressure for one person.

So the question is does the culture in your local church conducive to people presenting ideas? If you have been reluctant to explore ideas from other's, sharing ownership might seem counter intuitive. But here is what Tannenbaum & Schmidt, the eminent contingency theorists said, 'To gain control is to give control'. Moses father-in-law pinpointed his son-in-law’s propensity for control when he said, ‘This thing you are doing is not good’. Moses was acting like the font of all knowledge, but it is clear from accounts of his own faith journey that he would never be able to keep up the pace and serve God with excellence. My own late father-in-law used to say that if someone had their hands full of luggage, what else could they hold? In essence these examples serve as a salutary reminder that as leaders we need focus on what God called us to do. By overseeing rather than doing, we can maintain control while motivating others to run with the vision. With the added pressures encountered during the pandemic, sharing and exploring ideas has never been so important.

Apart from the raised levels of motivation amongst your congregation once they are empowered, there is another advantage. Over time you will identify natural leaders. Leaders are crucial to the continued health and sustainability of the Church, so this subject must be addressed.

LINKS

madgeobaseki.com/videos

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