What Your Congregation Wants You to Know, Part 2

More thoughts to consider...

#5- Ask for help and prayers when you need them. I think a lot of pastors tend to hold back from doing this. Maybe they feel they should be there for the congregation and not vice versa. But your congregation wants to be there for you, too! Give them that, and it will be enriching for them and for you. It will also remind them that you have problems, just like anyone else.

#6- Be sure you and your staff handle personnel transitions gracefully. A poorly handled transition can do serious damage to your congregation practically overnight. One of the biggest problems I have personally seen in these cases is the lack of communication with the congregation regarding the change. It's important that they feel informed and have a contact person they can go to if they have further concerns and questions.
Ken Godevenos has a great article to check out on this subject, "Managing Unpleasant Staff Departures". Of course, if we do our best in advance, hopefully no departures will ever have to be unpleasant.

#7- Involve more people in short term volunteer projects. This is an area where I think almost every church could improve drastically. Most churches have a handful of people who end up being the same volunteers for everything (until they burn out). This is obviously not good for them, but it also ensures that others will be less likely to get involved. They know it's going to get done by someone.
Another part of the problem is that many people are reluctant to commit to joining a committee ("I don't have time for more meetings....") or a regularly scheduled project.
If you establish a volunteer coordinator at your church, they can keep a running list of people who are willing to be called upon for individual tasks. That sign up sheet should be available every Sunday for new visitors and volunteers to add their name to. The list would be strictly used for those who say they would like to help in some way, but cannot be part of an ongoing effort. This list could be utilized by your staff and leaders for all kinds of needs, such as someone to take a covered dish over to a member who just got home from the hospital, or someone willing to pick up the youth from camp....just that one time.
Some of these "one time" volunteers will undoubtedly find themselves called to get more involved as a result. Others may find that this system works for them, and will be active by doing those one-time things, but doing them often.

Hoping some of these ideas might be of help. Pastors, we do appreciate you so very much!

Love ya-