Volunteer Covenants For Men’s Groups
By Jack Kneeman

Re-energizing a frustrated or burned-out volunteer team can be a real challenge. But a covenant leadership plan makes that possible, as Margaret Kutz outlines in NET Results magazine (www.netresults.org).

1. Match these leadership styles identified in Mastering Church Management (Multnomah Press) with the people you oversee.

* Direction: is for new people who are led point-by-point through detailed instructions.

* Coaching: is for experienced people who need periodic coaching and redirection.

* Supporting: is for people seasoned in their positions who occasionally need encouragement and advice.

* Delegating: is for seasoned workers who are responsible for others and need occasional support.

2. Meet with each person for 60 to 90 minutes to discuss leadership styles, job descriptions, and church goals. Together, agree on periodic phone calls or meetings to talk about how things are going and to identify any problems.

3. Always end your time together in prayer.

4. Over time, modify the process if it feels too formal.

Covenants provide individual attention for each volunteer, are usually well received, and result in fewer formal meetings. “My only disappointment,” Kutz says, “is it had taken me nearly 20 years to find and use the idea.”
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