You're In The ARMY Of Volunteers Now!!!

I awoke to the sound of a drill Sargent yelling in my ears. During the Vietnam War, the federal government was picking soldiers to be drafted for the military through a selection of numbers. The young men in high school were told to sign up for the selective service. I recalled holding my breath as the numbers were drawn and announced. I can still remember the feeling of relief, my number had not been called that time. I knew there would be more drawings for the "lucky lottery", so I joined the Civil Air Patrol and went through a Navy boot camp, hoping if I was picked in the next drawing I would go into the military one rank ahead of the others being drafted. Guess what? I went through all the rigors and disciples of the Military boot camp and graduated but was never called up. So I know a "little" of what it means to be in the Army. Unlike the military, all ministry and business leaders work with "volunteers". The people a leader leads can choose to not follow orders and decide to go AWOL any time they wish. Leaders in ministry struggle to get volunteers to serve faithfully. Leaders in business are always attempting to build a group of volunteer followers. Successful leadership inspires the volunteer leaders to grow business and build more leaders. Leaders must keep an eye out for passive hostility. Body language and one- word answers can be the tip off of such hostility. Look for those who harbor these feelings. They usually are not openly hostile, but can do a great amount of damage and certainly will not enhance the organization, ministry or business. These people will be the first to often question motives and enlist and sour others by bringing them to their side. Especially be careful that you do not allow these type of volunteers into your inner circle. Identify the greatest concerns for those around you. Create opportunities and forums for two-way communication . Always think in terms of building people and the people will build the ministry and/or the business. Focus on people and keep people focused on the right thing. - The focus is on the Vision with passion, and the necessary "how to" is a primary need. The vision should always permeate your communication both verbally and written. Which brings me to what may be the single most important issue in leading a volunteer Army.- Love and care . The key to caring Is counseling and asking questions. The passion a leader has for the tenants of their ministry and/or business is only superseded by the care and love the leader has for the people they lead. That's why questions are so important. The gift of appreciation and recognition also fits into the equation of success. Gifts and special treatment make a tremendous difference in the heart success. Don't forget the words you use as a leader are powerful tools for good. A great chapter and verses in the Bible are a great guide to understand: "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 Your volunteers are gifts from God ... Let's treat them that way.

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