There are usually skilled and motivated people in every church setting.  Unfortunately not always will both qualities be found in the same person.  Most of the work of the local church is done by volunteers.  If the volunteers are ministering effectively, the church is ministering effectively.   If they are not, the church is not.  Therefore, it is imperative that the pastor optimizes his use of these people.  The pastor must not only motivate the unmotivated, and train the unskilled, but he must guide them into the right place of service.

Leith Anderson states, "Put the best people about the highest priority.  The role of the pastor is to identify the immediate priorities and place the most competent people there."  However, Ann Strolling believes that if one asks themselves who the best person for the job is, it is probably is themselves.  It may be best to ask, "Who should do this?"  Of course there will be times when the best person for the job must do the job, but there will be many more times when a person can be trained or discipled by allowing the individual to serve.  The place for a congregation's most skilled people is not necessarily on the deacon board.  It is wherever their skills are most needed.  When individuals understand the high priority in that area of ministry and are allowed to use their gifts, they enjoy serving.

(1) See the discussion on using volunteers in Don Cousins, Leith Anderson and Arthur DeKruyter, Mastering Church Management (Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1990), p. 129.

(2) For contrary opinion see Ann Strolling, "Stress First Aid for Working Women," Women in Business, November 1992, p. 27.