Reasons people do not volunteer

Commitment will be too long.

They feel over or under qualified.

Will miss out on other ministries.

Do not realize the benefits and blessings of involvement.

They were hurt by the last pastor.

Tried it once and did not like it.

It is someone else's turn.

The leaders are not excited.

Do not sense the need.

It is the pastor's job.

They are lazy.

They just want to be fed.

They are too busy

Other people they like are not involved.

It is not their gift.

Excuses like these if not addressed cripple any ministry and my job as pastor requires answering these and many more

as I seek to motivate and recruit workers. Some excuses are relevant; some excuses require information; some excuses require

plowing through fallow ground and planting seeds.

Reasons people quit

They are burned out.

They lack appreciation.

They are doing it in their own strength.

A disagreement with the curriculum.

Some people are starters not sustainers.

They do not see immediate rewards.

Leadership change occurs.

They are unprepared for the task.

They are selfish.

They have unmet expectations.

Physical problems occur.

Jealousy.

Changes in their life.

They receive no help.

Children leave the program.

Tired of working for the 80% who do not.

Careers get in the way.

It is a job not a ministry.

They are not allowed to do their job.

Receive too much criticism.

Unresolved conflicts and hurt feelings.

No support from above.

Many legitimate reasons occur but many of these must be addressed by the leadership. Biblical principles mandate our service. We are called to make disciples, to be servants, and to bear fruit. God endowed us with spiritual gifts to enable us to meet the needs and fulfill His commands. My desire is to help people identify their gifts, talents, and abilities enabling them to understand how God would desire to use them. Only when a pastor knows his people can he seek God's direction on how best to

utilize them in ministry. God's vision for a church is to use what is available at that church to further His kingdom.

Rick Joyner writes in an article entitled "The Gift of Administration", "The most valuable asset we have entrusted to us as leaders is the people. We should know the gifts and callings of every person who is directly responsible to us, and be sure that those who are directly responsible to us know the gifts and callings of everyone who is directly responsible to them, on down through the entire organization regardless of how large it is. We should reward first those who are the most effective in drawing

out the gifts and talents of their people. This is leadership in its highest form and it deserves the greatest reward." Worker proverbs

Do not ask people to do something you are unwilling to do.

Continued training promotes service and volunteerism.

People will stay only if they are needed.

As standards are raised by leaders so standards of leaders are raised.

Involvement in your leaders' lives promotes greater involvement of your leaders.

Do things because we should not because of desire.

A person will not likely leave what they own.

People support what they create.

Review and reward equals result.

People are more apt to work when the understand their spiritual gifts.

Author unknown.