For years I wanted my staff to be more like youth pastors than volunteers. I would train them, and want them to love books about youth ministry, enjoy the training videos or handouts I give them. I’ve given up trying to put my calling on them.
I’ve had some great volunteers in the past and have an excellent team right now. It makes me think of all the time I wasted trying to make them more like me than embrace the gifts and talents they brought to the table.
I still send them training material and e-mail up =dates and have staff meetings but I’ve learned to embrace who they are and their uniqueness in the ministry. If they love Jesus and love kids that’s o.k. with me, the rest is just details.
Your Turn
What are you trying to force rather than embrace?