My ministry is marked with discipleship, the desire to develop leaders, and the excitement of passing off ministry to those leaders.  That’s why at Foothills Church we pride ourselves on developing mature disciples of Christ.

In our student ministry, I have a kid named Jake.  Jake is a fellow warrior for Christ.  He hangs out with me from time to time away from church, texts me nonstop, and often blows my phone up.  Jake and I have a saying — we are creating warriors.  In fact, I let Jake preach the other night to over 100 people at our Wednesday Night Doxa service.  Did I mention he is in 8th grade?

I wake up early on Tuesdays and meet with a guy that is a few years older than me.  I HATE WAKING UP EARLY.  His name is Brian.  In fact, Brian is about 12 years older than me.  He asked me about a month ago if I would disciple him.  He started, “I know you’re really busy, but…” I stopped him right there, and I said to him, “Absolutely, I will.”  Because that’s what it’s all about.  Creating Warrior Men!

I met with a guy yesterday morning early as well.  DID I MENTION I HATE WAKING UP EARLY?  He is a Warrior Man for Christ.  He has shown faithfulness and diligence.  He has a great attitude and carries himself with optimism.  He has been in ministry for several years, and has much more experience than me; however, he is teachable.  We are passing off ministry to him.  Warrior!

My desire is to create Warrior Men who love Jesus, his church, the family, and missions.  I want to see young guys in our student ministry become Warrior Men who are called to ministry.  I want to see college students do the same.  I want to see men with families and current careers get excited about Jesus and called to ministry.

And it is happening.

Mostly in the early mornings… which I hate… but seeing men become Warriors for Jesus… now, that I love.

Tonight I had a few of our student ministry leaders over to celebrate what God has done with and through them in our student ministry this semester.  Some of them lead small groups.  Others are leaders at our Wednesday night service.  All of them lead in separate ways depending upon their schedules and passions, but every single one of them are volunteers.  In fact, all 15 or so of them could call me tomorrow and tell me they weren’t coming back and I would be stuck.  Our ministry would crumble.  Small groups would stop.  And several discipleship relationships between leaders and adults would cease.  They are, in the truest sense of the phrase, the backbone of our ministry.  With that said, and because leading volunteers is so extremely crucial to the success of local church ministry, here a few ways to make them a priority.

1.   Allocate a percentage of your budget for equipping and celebrating volunteers.  Have leadership meetings, buy them books, and have fun parties where you buy good food and give them fun stuff.

2.  Be consistent in contacting them.  Send them emails and text messages, and let them know you are praying for them often.

3.  Challenge them to growth.  Send them articles to read, books to read, and give them opportunities to do ministry.  Raise up leaders to lead.  After all, leaders will always lead.  Leaders lead leaders.  As they are ready, pass off ministry to those whom have earned it.

4.  Celebrate their time, energy, commitment, and investment.  Throw celebrations and have specific times set apart where you do not talk about ministry related things.  Instead, have fun.