Taking the Hits

It has been really interesting to see how God is using this blog in the lives of others. I've had several, both verbally and in writing, share different stories with me about how the blog has encouraged them, or how someone they told about the blog enjoys reading it, etc. It has recently been brought to my attention that we have readers in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina - all in addition to California. What an awesome honor that is. I hope that each of you continue to find something here that inspires you, encourages you, and that makes you laugh.

Along those lines, something that we have recently begun within the Immanuel Choir is servant teams. Each of these teams have different responsibilities with the worship ministry. We have a team that comes in to help pull all of our music once a week. This team is responsible for getting all of the orchestra's folders prepared for rehearsal and worship services, as well as getting the praise team's music put together. Another team is our welcome team. This team greets all of our choir members each week at rehearsal, but more specifically, they meet and greet first time visitors. Part of their responsibility includes registering our first time guests, partnering them with another choir member, and helping them to get their music. By partnering them with another choir member, this guest immediately feels welcome and no longer feels alone in a room full of strangers.

The purposes behind servant teams are many. The top 3 would be:
1) For people to make an investment in their ministry. I have found that when people cease to be one of the many and actually take ownership in their ministry, they will become more faithful. We have seen proof of this at Immanuel.
2) To serve the Lord. How simple is that?
3) To enable the people to do the work of the kingdom.

When your people feel validated in what they are doing, they will do it with excellence. Empower your people to lead and you will see a ministry take off to regions you would have never before imagined.