Motivating People

Issue 1.14

Whether it's the never-ending struggle for nursery workers or moving the mass of "Sunday-morning-only-people," every pastor understands the need for motivation.

How should we motivate people?

1.) Expect much, guilt less. Expecting something out of people shows you have faith in them and drives them to give their best effort, but laying guilt trips only leads to half-hearted, reluctant service.

Jesus knew His disciples still had much to learn, but He empowered them to take on tasks bigger than themselves: "And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.  And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing" (Luke 9:1-2, NASB).

2.) Recruit rather than plead. Some people will teach Sunday school this week because they feel called and gifted to do so -- but not all of them. The way to avoid the "I'm doing the church a favor" mentality is to recruit people based on skill, gifting, and passion, rather than simply making pleas from the pulpit about vacant ministry opportunities.

Jesus modeled this careful approach: "It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them" (Luke 6:12-13).

Notice that not all the volunteers were automatically "in". Jesus spent careful time in prayer and consideration, then selected the Twelve.

3.) Paint a picture, don't sing a dirge. Negativity shouldn't be the attitude people pick up on when they are being asked to get involved in ministry. Instead, excitedly point to a vision of the future that can inspire them to action -- paint a picture of your church fulfilling the eternal purposes of God in your community and across the world!

Let people see the grander scheme of things. It's not about mowing the church grass or picking up chairs after a fellowship, it is about reaching the world and pushing back the frontiers of darkness. It is about seeing God glorified and the gospel amplified!

Jesus motivated people this way: "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:27). Wow! If I was with Jesus that day, my heart would have skipped a beat! Or think of Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

People got involved in the ministry and message of Jesus because He gave them a vision of something great. He offered them truth and life. Nothing deterred them -- nothing sapped their motivation. Even death couldn't stop them from serving His Cause.

So why is it hard to find nursery workers? Why don't people want to reach their community, or serve on ministry teams, or creatively use their talents for the kingdom? Could it be that we as church leaders need to re-examine our motivation methods?

Making It Personal:

What kind of a motivator are you?

Take some time to think over how Jesus motivated people to follow Him, and begin applying the principles you discover into your own ministry.

Daniel W. Jarvis
Staff Writer, Life Action Ministries