We've reached crunch-time when it comes to two new environments we're getting set to launch this Spring at NewPointe. Aqua (for college/singles) begins its bi-weekly schedule in March and Married Life Live! begins in April. Guess who is responsible for both (hint: it requires some thinking outside the Bunn). Anyway, right now it's all about recruiting volunteers. We've identified seven different volunteer teams needed for Married Life Live and six teams needed for Aqua. Each team is different but on average we need about 8 per team. That translates to roughly 100 volunteers that we need to have in place by the end of March. Yikes. So what am I doing about it? Well, it's so simple it's stupid...I'm asking people to volunteer. Yeah, that's it. I'm just asking. I started with a printout of certain demorgraphics from out attendees. I painstakingly went through the loooong list and highlighted names that I thought would be good candidates for volunteering in each environment based on what I personally know about them. I also counsulted a few other staff members for more input. And then...I just began asking them to get involved (well actually, I began by asking each of them if they'd be willing to come to a volunteer orientation--I did two, one for each environment--to learn more about the mission, strategy, and volunteer opportunities for each. Each orientation was well attended--between the two we had about 60 people come). And I think all 60 volunteered in some way. Another dozen or so said they couldn't make it to the orientations but they still wanted to get on board. Bottom line: we're about 75% of the way there. And I asked for a one year commitment in each environment.
How can I get away with asking for a one-year commitment? Great question. It's all about casting vision. I feel that I was able paint a very clear picture of the mission and strategy of each new ministry. And then I boiled it all down to NewPointe's bottom line: to lead people in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. When we cast a compelling vision, and people can see and understand that there's a solid plan with good leadership--they'll get on board. That's what we've seen happen. And it's extremely exciting.
I'll wrap up with an excerpt from an email I received from one couple I asked to volunteer for Married Life Live:
As newbees to the Pointe we are excited to get plugged in somewhere and feel God calling us to serve in a couple of areas. One of those or maybe both was because you asked us to. Another God-thing; as we had been praying for God to show us where we were needed.
These folks are basically just saying, "We're so glad you asked! We want to be involved." And the thing they needed was to simply be asked.
How many people are there out there who never get into the game--people who would be great volunteers, people who could really impact the kingdom, and we'll never know because we never asked.
Asking seems scary sometimes. I mean, what if they say no? I don't know if I can handle that kind of rejection! Well, what's the worse thing that could happen? They could say, "No." Oh well. I'm willing to take that risk.
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