Greg Atkinson

I think a healthy quality for all leaders is being able to laugh at one’s self. This video has rubbed some people the wrong way, but I think it is a funny and deeper look at what we as the Church do each week. This video was created by the talented team at North Point Church – that obviously is able to laugh at themselves. Take a look at this video and see if it upsets you or if you’re able to relate and laugh? More after you watch it…

“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

As one who travels the country each week visiting, secret shopping and consulting with various churches, I think I can appreciate this video more than most. This video reminds me of my secret shopper report and the things I rate and look for – it’s amazing how well they captured what I see at 95% of churches in America.

You would think that is a good thing, and I used to, until I heard Alan Hirsch speak at the Velocity Conference back in February. He rocked my world. Alan, in his keynote address, taught on how the contemporary church model that is prevalent in America can only “appeal” to 40% of Americans – NOTE: not reach 40%, but has the ability to appeal to 40%. Meaning 60% of Americans will need to be reached in some other way- some new, unconventional, innovative way.

This past Sunday, I was with my friends at Mosaic Nashville. They had heard Alan Hirsch speak years ago and were already living out this different model of church. For example, this Sunday, I worshiped “in the round” and people were given instruments and encouraged to play along. There was no band up front on the stage – they were in a circle in the middle of the worship space. They are exploring new ways of doing life, community and discipleship together as a fellowship of believers in Nashville.

Is this for everyone? No. Maybe God is calling you to appeal to the 40% with the model we see in the video. BUT – for some of you (and if you get this, it will be revolutionary), you may be called by God to go after the other 60% in new, different and unconventional ways – thought to be strange by others. More on this in my new book coming out next year!

The following is an excerpt from LeadingSmart.com | by Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor at Granger. Tim is a friend and I pick his brain quite often. I, personally, love his perspective. Check out what he says:

Since co-writing Simply Strategic Volunteers with Tony Morgan, one question that always comes up is whether a church should require parents to serve in the children’s ministry. This sentiment was worded well by a recent commenter here on LeadingSmart.com. They wrote,

I am a children’s director who spends a lot of time recruiting parents to serve in our ministry. When I hear people say, “I’m just not cut out for it”– it makes me sick. We invest hundreds of hours in your kids a year, and you can’t give up an hour of your time to help kids begin and grow a friendship with Jesus. I think it is pathetic! The church is the hope of the world. Let’s act like it.

I totally get that frustration. I’ve heard it many times and know of several churches which have an expectation that all parents volunteer somewhere in the ministry where the kid is being served.

I have a little different take on that. Let me ask:

• Do you really want adults serving in your kids’ rooms who perhaps don’t even like kids?
• Do you think others on the team will enjoy it if some of your volunteers are there only because of coercion, not because of passion or interest?
• Wouldn’t you rather have adult volunteers who love kids and have a passion for using their gifts with your children?

It is my guess the children’s director who wrote that comment would say, “Of course I’d rather have passionate volunteers. But that’s not the world I live in. Every week I scrape the barrel to get enough volunteers just to have safe classrooms!” I may be putting words in his mouth, but those are the words I hear from many struggling children’s leaders.

The problem comes down to culture. It takes a volunteer-centric culture in the entire church, from top to bottom, to build a ministry that is truly focused on plugging people in positions where they are wired by God. Without that, a scarcity mindset takes over and we shift to turf-guarding and silo-building. And that produces frustration, bitterness and cynicism on a church staff–which no one likes to be around.

If it were me, and my only control was over the children’s ministry, I would focus for the next semester on transitioning my entire volunteer team to only people who loved kids, had a passion for the ministry, and were truly gifted in areas we needed in the classroom. Get rid of everyone else. In the short-term, it will be awful. You will be short-staffed and there will be many things you can’t do. But in the long-term, when you have classrooms full of happy, energized volunteers, you will see other gifted and passionate people lining up to sign up.

No one wants to be on the team where the only requirement was the ability to make a baby. Everyone wants to be on a high-performing, fun-filled team. What say you?

Learn more from Tim about how to build thriving teams of volunteers at the Simply Strategic Volunteers Workshop at Granger next Friday, May 21. I strongly encourage you to bring a team to their workshop!

I left last Thursday for Nashville and went to help my friends at The People’s Church in Franklin, TN – which were hit hard by the floods in Nashville.  I’ll blog again when I return. Please pray for those affected by the flood and see what you and your church can do to help out. I’m being joined this weekend by over 100 volunteers from ARC. Maybe you could send a team?

Today is the National Day of Prayer. I encourage you to take some time to pray throughout your day. May you be blessed and sensitive to the Holy Spirit as you seek to hear that still, small voice.

Speaking of prayer – if you haven’t heard of Kindle, I encourage you to check it out. I’m actually on the board of Kindle and am proud to recommend it to you. Check it out and pray!