Comments on: Fishing for Volunteers http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/08/fishing-for-volunteers/ Pastor Jimmy Holbrook Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:39:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Kris http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/08/fishing-for-volunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-294 Kris Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:49:45 +0000 http://jimmyholbrook.com/?p=347#comment-294 Donna - I agree 100% - and we will be sure and emphasize that in the small groups. When I think of all the things I've tried - there's been a lot - finally I feel like I'm using my gifts and where God wants me and it took awhile to get there. Sometimes I was out of my element in serving - but we also needed the help and sometimes we have to get help wherever we can get it! So there are no regrets there but many comical moments... I know that I DO NOT have your gifts and abilities - with cooking for 100s of kids, media, etc - and I'm thankful for all the things the Lord has gifted you with - and your wisdom. Donna – I agree 100% – and we will be sure and emphasize that in the small groups. When I think of all the things I’ve tried – there’s been a lot – finally I feel like I’m using my gifts and where God wants me and it took awhile to get there. Sometimes I was out of my element in serving – but we also needed the help and sometimes we have to get help wherever we can get it! So there are no regrets there but many comical moments… I know that I DO NOT have your gifts and abilities – with cooking for 100s of kids, media, etc – and I’m thankful for all the things the Lord has gifted you with – and your wisdom.

]]> By: Donna K http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/08/fishing-for-volunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-293 Donna K Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:23:37 +0000 http://jimmyholbrook.com/?p=347#comment-293 I would like to add one more thing when you are out recruiting help make sure you tell them more than one time if this is not their cup of tea please let you know. I am always looking for help with the media department but try to emphasize if you try it and don't like it please, please talk to me and we will do something different. Do Not Just Quit Coming. Many times you don't know if you will like something until you try it. There is nothing wrong with saying I just don't enjoy doing that. I love doing what I do but know it is not for everyone. There is a niche for everyone it just sometimes takes a little time to discover it. You won't know until you try. I would like to add one more thing when you are out recruiting help make sure you tell them more than one time if this is not their cup of tea please let you know. I am always looking for help with the media department but try to emphasize if you try it and don’t like it please, please talk to me and we will do something different. Do Not Just Quit Coming. Many times you don’t know if you will like something until you try it. There is nothing wrong with saying I just don’t enjoy doing that. I love doing what I do but know it is not for everyone. There is a niche for everyone it just sometimes takes a little time to discover it. You won’t know until you try.

]]> By: Kris http://jimmyholbrook.com/2009/08/fishing-for-volunteers/comment-page-1/#comment-280 Kris Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:10:55 +0000 http://jimmyholbrook.com/?p=347#comment-280 I also think it is very important that you don't nag people and make them feel guilty as we try to encourage them to step out and try new things and serve. I think living by example - cheerfully serving, and encouraging people to serve together as a group sometimes, helps. It's not fun to paint - but when you can paint with a bunch of friends with wonderful music playing and laugh together - it really makes it fun. What I find so cool about serving is sometimes I just don't want to do it - I don't want to be there. I wasn't really super excited about spending the night doing crafts at VBS after a pretty tough day at work. Then I got to church, and that attitude all went out the window. I was able to share a meal with friends, fellowship with new people in the church, and then see all those beautiful kids make wonderful messy painted t-shirts. It was a GREAT night and I can't wait for tomorrow night. I was able to meet people in the church I had only seen and never talked to. We have so many new faces (within a month) jumping in right now with both feet. I know it has to be a little scary for them - they barely know anyone. Yet they come and jump in to help. That is such an encouragement to me! We have a lady in our small group that has decided to teach a SS class. The leaders have let her know that she has the entire class's backing. If she needs help on a Sunday - someone from her group will be there to help her. If she needs supplies - we'll come up with them. If she is sick - we will stand in for her. I think if people know they will have support - it might make a difference. We are all in this together and what a wonderful journey it is. I also think it is very important that you don’t nag people and make them feel guilty as we try to encourage them to step out and try new things and serve. I think living by example – cheerfully serving, and encouraging people to serve together as a group sometimes, helps. It’s not fun to paint – but when you can paint with a bunch of friends with wonderful music playing and laugh together – it really makes it fun.

What I find so cool about serving is sometimes I just don’t want to do it – I don’t want to be there. I wasn’t really super excited about spending the night doing crafts at VBS after a pretty tough day at work. Then I got to church, and that attitude all went out the window. I was able to share a meal with friends, fellowship with new people in the church, and then see all those beautiful kids make wonderful messy painted t-shirts. It was a GREAT night and I can’t wait for tomorrow night.

I was able to meet people in the church I had only seen and never talked to. We have so many new faces (within a month) jumping in right now with both feet. I know it has to be a little scary for them – they barely know anyone. Yet they come and jump in to help. That is such an encouragement to me!

We have a lady in our small group that has decided to teach a SS class. The leaders have let her know that she has the entire class’s backing. If she needs help on a Sunday – someone from her group will be there to help her. If she needs supplies – we’ll come up with them. If she is sick – we will stand in for her. I think if people know they will have support – it might make a difference.

We are all in this together and what a wonderful journey it is.

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