Published: 2023

John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work”.

Luke 10 :2: “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest”.

The above scriptures emphasize the need for committed workers, prompting the question: How do we find the right people for the job? While there are various strategies to recruit and retain dedicated workers, our focus here is on the indispensable ingredient for effective follower-ship – “good leadership.”

Good Leadership is Key!

Good Leadership is not just desirable; it is a requirement for fostering good follower-ship. It’s almost impossible to find a truly effective leader without a team of committed followers. Though exceptions exist, the majority of good leaders usually have good followers.

The contemporary Church is in dire need of exceptional leaders. Its diverse members, hailing from various backgrounds and life experiences, require mature spiritual guidance to lead, instruct, counsel, mentor, and teach them how to effectively navigate their Christian journey. Only dedicated leaders can facilitate this.

Jesus stressed the urgency in Matthew 9:37-38; “…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” This can be seen as a desperate plea for more dedicated leaders in the body of Christ.

Question: Can a good leader have poorly committed workers or followers?

Answer: Yes and No

Question: What must a leader do to ensure volunteer workers are committed?

The answer is the focus of this course. We’ll delve into practical ways of keeping workers motivated and committed throughout the year.

The 21st Century Volunteer Worker

In a world where societies are increasingly secular, finding individuals with good values and virtues has become challenging. As outlined in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7, “in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall become lovers of their own selves…Without natural affection, trucebreakers…”, people are immersed in the daily grind, relegating volunteering in the Church to a lower priority.

Church leaders bear the responsibility of restoring commitment in the lives of such individuals. This, in turn, guides them into their God-given calling, making them more fruitful as they discover untapped potential areas in their lives. Workers will experience the blessings of serving God, the camaraderie with fellow workers, and the joy of making a difference in others’ lives.

What must a Good Leader do?

A Leader should:

– Recruit workers personally, purposefully, and regularly – Matt 20:1-16
– Give workers specific duties (not just general duties) – Matt 25:14-15, 20
– Give workers an overview of their responsibilities and confirm their continued interest – Matt 20:2
– Properly delegate duties
– Put new workers on a trial or waiting period with proper training
– Ask workers to fill out and sign a Volunteer Workers Contract/Commitment form, promising to perform duties to the best of their ability
– Introduce new workers to the Senior Pastor and other department members
– Avoid overwhelming workers; discern each person’s capacity – Matt 25:15
– Be open to ideas and suggestions
– Become a mentor, teaching from God’s Word – 2 Tim 2:2; John 21:15-17; 1 Tim 3:2 (apt to teach).
– Care for workers spiritually and physically, being present – Mark 2:14-15; Luke 4:38-39;
– Lead by example – 1 Tim 4:2
– Be involved in department responsibilities, having a servant’s heart – John 13:3-5
– Be punctual, organized, and time conscious
– Have a Spirit of Excellence – Dan 5:12; 1 Kings 10:4-5
– Be available and approachable – Matt 19:14
– Relate to each worker one-on-one – Matt 17:1
– Avoid making workers commit for life; consider shorter commitments
– Identify when people need a break, maintaining communication – Mark 6:31
– Create teams for specific duties, as per department structure
– Train workers to recruit others – a form of evangelism – 2 Tim 2:2
– Identify and encourage workers’ talents
– Remind workers they are working for God
– Have regular meetings to review work and plan for the future
– Encourage fellowship within the department
– Plan events outside of the Church for bonding
– Stay ahead with a vision for the department – John 6:5-6; Luke 19:29-31
– Embrace change; try new methods if old ones aren’t yielding results
– Surprise workers occasionally; acknowledge birthdays
– Affirm and congratulate workers
– Rebuke in love, showing improvement
– Resolve conflict with the help of the Holy Spirit, rejecting disunity
– Be Hardworking
– Pray, Pray, Pray

Must-Have’ Leadership Qualities

In addition to the requirements mentioned, a good leader must possess:

– Integrity
– Discipline
– Confidence
– Ability to Make ‘Good Decisions’ – Wisdom!
– Courage
– Loyalty
– Generosity
– Ability to accept criticism

Leaders should seek these qualities from God to be effective in leading His people.

Throughout history, individuals like Moses, Paul, and Church Pastors answered God’s call, forsook secular vocations, and reaped tremendous results. There are potential volunteer workers today who will be used full time by God to accomplish great things in these last days. It’s our responsibility to care for those God has placed under our guidance. Losing them due to ignorance or negligence jeopardizes their fulfillment of God’s purpose. Therefore, we must do all we can to help them become committed to God’s call on their lives.

Jesus said in John 17:12; “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled”.

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