I learned the hard way. People need to be reminded.
Back in my student ministry days I thought that grown adults could remember meeting dates and times. After all, they get kids to soccer practice, keep doctor appointments, show up for work, and remember birthdays. All that's true. And maybe that's the point: it's ALL true. There's a lot going on.
It's happened to all of us. Weekend service. You're ready. You're on time. And someone else isn't. You cripple through the services or services on a shoestring, hoping to not miss any critical elements or people as you attempt to provide a welcoming space for your guests. It happens. People aren't always blowing off responsibility. Sometimes people just forget.
Here are some thoughts about serving as a full team:
- Create a schedule. Put it on paper. Make sure everyone has it.
- Make the schedule easy to remember. Build some pattern into it. Monthly. Biweekly. Find a rhythm.
- Send reminders. Make phone calls. Send postcards. Tweet. Text. Email. And you must, you must, you must - not choose the easiest and preferred communication for yourself as the leader. Learn how everyone on your team is best connected. You'll likely call some, text others, and email the rest.
- Follow-up when someone doesn't show. This is a simple and opportune chance to care. You may discover they're facing difficulty, illness, or worse. Reach out. You made it past the weekend. That's good. But, it's not all there is to the team.
- Expect the schedule to be kept and followed. By planning it, printing it, reminding, following up you'll communicate that people matter - the team matters. "We're counting on you!"
