Our staff has ministry objectives for this year, and each one belongs to Rise Together, our vision for building community across every part of church life. Last time, I shared Pastor Leah’s objective, which is about a new room for our nursery on our campus. This week I want to share an update from Claud Smith, our Director of Worship. His objective is about something less visible than a room, but just as important: how we recruit and care for our worship volunteers.
Paul tells the Corinthians that “the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:14, NRSVUE). No part of the body stands alone, and no part is unnecessary (paraphrased, 1 Corinthians 12:15-20, NRSVUE). A choir needs more than one voice. A worship service needs more than one set of hands.
Claud’s objective this year is to strengthen how our worship and music ministries recruit new volunteers and welcome them once they are serving. Growing a volunteer team is not only about filling spots. It is about building a body of people who show up for each other week after week.
Here is what has changed so far. Six new voices have joined the Chancel Choir, and two new ushers now serve alongside the team already in place. Most of that growth has come the way it usually does, through invitation. Choir members invite others when they pass the peace on Sunday mornings, and short-term commitments during Festival GLORIA!, Good Friday, Easter, and summer services give people a low-pressure way to try serving before committing to something ongoing.
Communication has changed too. The weekly worship planning meeting now happens in person on Tuesdays, and the music and worship staff use that time, along with Planning Center and Teams, to make sure every volunteer knows their role before Sunday. And on July 28, the worship team will hold a workshop to build shared understanding between the traditional and contemporary teams.
None of this happened by accident. It happened because Claud and his team decided that shared responsibility is worth planning for.
I’m grateful for the volunteers who show up to sing, usher, greet, and participate in worship services on Sundays without much notice, and for a staff that is working to make sure they are seen and supported. That is what nurturing connections looks like in practice.
May we keep growing together.
If you’re interested in singing, playing an instrument, ushering, or greeting, Claud would be happy to talk with you at ClaudS@fumcwp.org.