being part of that family. This is what
Jesus is saying to us. Other people
can stand on the sideline, think only
of themselves, and never serve—but
among you, it will be different.
the leader that was heading that up,
and we have someone filling in.”
He immediately responded, “I’ll take
care of it. How many people are helping
out right now?”
Find a Need and Fill It
I said, “Just a few.”
Years ago, a successful businessman
started attending our church. He was
an entrepreneur at heart and had built
a thriving business from the ground
up. He started attending because
the church that he had recently
called home had shut its doors. We
connected almost immediately. He
had a contagious spirit, and I loved his
enthusiasm for life and for the Lord. I
did not ask anything of him over the
next few months, primarily because I
knew he had had a difficult experience
in his former church, and I figured that
he needed some time to refresh and
be ministered to. After a few months,
we were out to lunch, and he said to
me, “I notice there is a problem at the
church.”
He said, “Well, we have several services,
so I figure we will need at least fifteen
people on the team. Get me the names
of the people who are currently helping,
and I’ll make it happen.”
I jokingly said, “Only one?”
He laughed and replied, “Seriously. On
Sunday morning it seems that there
aren’t really any backstage hands—
people who are designated to bring the
table and chair out for your preaching,
move around audio equipment as
needed, and generally ensure that
ever ything behind the scenes is
functioning as it should.”
I told him, “Yeah, you’re right. We lost
72 • Solutions
When I returned to the office, I emailed
him the names and contact info.
The next Sunday, he was in full rec-
ruiting mode. I saw him approaching
people to see if they would help. He
had revised the former leader’s job
description for volunteers. Over the
next thirty days, he got over fifteen
people plugged in to the ministry. He
had properly functioning headsets,
branded T-shirts, and a team that