Last Sunday our Lincoln Park location had a ministry team meeting after the service to discuss direction, answer questions and highlight new ministry roles.  One thing that I’ve learned since becoming the Worship Venue Leader here is that it takes a lot of volunteers to run a service on Sunday morning and it’s very important to keep them informed and to highlight great things happening.  I’ve grown to really appreciate each of the volunteers for the sacrifices they make serving faithfully.  It’s wonderful to see everyone working together to make the service happen and serving in the area of their Spiritual gifts.  It’s exciting as the church grows to see new ministries forming and more leaders stepping forward in multiple areas of ministry. 

One ministry position that I rely upon to help keep the service organized is the Service Coordinator role.  Stephanie Stricker has been our main Service Coordinator and she recently has also brought Susannah Heitger onboard to help when she is gone.  They both have stepped up to help recruit for ministry openings, organize volunteers, help with service improvements and assist me as I lead often taking on leadership roles themselves.  I’ve learned that it’s good to allow others to lead in areas that they are passionate in and often as I’ve released “the ball” I’ve seen others empowered to raise “the ball” to an entirely new level.  It’s been a learning process for me to realize that I am accountable while others can be responsible.  I’ve seen volunteers do amazing jobs managing their ministries.  This has helped me to lead better as I now have learned that I can rely on this team of volunteers to step in serving faithfully and effectively.  I appreciate every one of them and know that they are making a difference every time they serve and that without them something definitely would be missed on Sunday mornings.