I think our commitment to volunteers and volunteer services and equipping volunteers with training, encouragement and prayer isn't happening to the capacity needed in order for us to serve more people. Today - hearing about what churches are doing on less is frightening. How would someone go about suggesting we can do more with volunteers vs. paid staff. There are plenty of people once challenged that would step up to the call.

I am a part of a rather large (8000) growing young (20 years) church. It was founded on the principle that we will take risks and do things that other churches don't do. "If that makes you uncomfortable, this might not be the church for you." While this has many advantages, it seems that it has led to a philosophy that is somewhat numb to input or suggestions from ordinary volunteers. It has created a very top-down structure in the church. The growth and success have insulated the leadership from some of the stress this approach creates. As a volunteer, it has left me frustrated at times.

I am amazed at how rare it is for someone in a leadership position to notice potential, interest or ability in a volunteer and encourage or mentor the volunteer to take on a greater role in the ministry. How can a volunteer help a paid staff leader to develop the people under them?

One of the most frustrating board experiences is when the board members stop learning; believing that they have seen it all. It's a very narrow mindset. The church is slowly dying and the board is in denial, pointing the finger at the congregation without even the slightest intention to look within themselves.

I came to this summit, not as a leader by title, but as one hoping to be a leader someday. Gary's message was the most empowering and inspiring to me. I cannot wait for the management structure of my organization to change, but I need to take responsibility for my own future and live up to my own potential. If I want to take my organization to the next level, even as an "underdog," I must break through the barrier that is my title. I realize how much my title limits me and what I contribute to my company. It shouldn't. If God has gifted me to produce and write and build relationships, I should use those gifts. Just because my degree doesn't say that I'm a writer, that doesn't mean that I can't write. If I can train and I do a good job, then I'm a trainer. Thank you, Gary for inspiring me to break out of the box and not be confined by my title anymore.

I have a ministry I do on a volunteer basis, but my gift is more teaching than it is administration. There are people who occasionally come help in this work, and I send E-mail to many who have participated on or more times. But I am not good at following up or growing this little effort into where I think God wants to take it. Maybe a church should have a person or ministry who can take all those people who want to serve, and help them build truly useful ways people can serve.