Shared Ministry: Strategies for Equipping People to Serve

Volunteers are valuable resources in congregations. Finding, matching, training and keeping these generous individuals is an important part of congregational management.

Congregations that are internally strong offer ministry that belongs to the people, not just the clergy or staff. They understand that equipping volunteers to serve is a significant contributor to spiritual growth, both individually and corporately. They place a high priority on helping each person discover how God has uniquely designed them for ministry and intentionally match them with appropriate serving opportunities, whether inside or outside the walls of the church.

This workshop is designed for any ministry leader—clergy or laity, paid or unpaid staff—who envisions a community where clergy, staff and members collaborate to meet the needs of the congregation and the public. Workshop facilitator Andee Marks leads participants as they:

• Examine the role of the empowering leader;
• Develop an understanding of equipping culture and values;
• Explore structures and processes necessary to support volunteers, such as gifts discovery, matching and placement, training, etc.

Marks is leading daylong workshops in Evansville (March 21) and Mooresville (March 23). She is also leading a luncheon workshop in Columbus on March 22. There are two distinctions between the full day and luncheon workshops. The lunch workshop will focus on systems and processes and will be driven by Q&A. Marks will present material, then take questions which will drive the direction for the remainder of the meeting. The full day workshop includes conversation around systems and processes, but will also target the leader's role in that context. Marks works with congregations and faith-based non-profits to develop processes that will successfully equip and guide their constituents into serving opportunities. She has been on staff of both large and small churches leading their volunteer ministry programs. She's a frequent presenter at national conferences on managing and equipping volunteer ministries.

The workshop is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time) Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in Evansville and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Eastern time) Friday, March 23, 2012 in Mooresville. The cost is $30 a person or $25 for congregational teams of three or more when registered together. This includes lunch and the book The Serving Leader for the People of God. Events are limited to Indiana congregations.