One of the most common complaints
that I hear from clergy and
laity is the difficulty of recruiting
volunteers for some of the ministries
of the local church, district, annual
conference and general church.
Maybe you want to try a new approach.
AMIGOS PESTERGRAM #1
Home Selection Date Feb. 2; Walnut Hill UMC
Everyone,
I was just noodling on songs I am writing, "A Year Without Beer and Bacon"; "Hat Hair Is Better Than No Hair"; "Get a Long Little Doggy,"a country-Western number about dachshunds; "The Abdominal Snowman Has Crohn's," a number for next holiday season; and a special arrangement of "I'll Never Smile Again," for the Puritan Defense League, and I was also wondering if Jesus had a Twitter account, would he tweet "healing a leper at 2 p.m., come watch" or some such. … when it dawned on me it's a new year and Amigos is just around the corner.
For those who have asked in the past how we select our home, now's your chance to experience the process firsthand. Feel free to join me on Feb. 2 at Walnut Hill UMC, 10066 Marsh Lane, at 7-8 p.m. Twenty or so other churches will also have delegates. I've discovered this to be an organized and civil process; there's no kicking, biting or hitting below the belt.
Why is a church on Marsh Lane not called Marsh Lane UMC? Why is a church on Northwest Highway not called Northwest Highway UMC? I digress.
During the home selection process, the city [of Dallas] will also be providing updated lead-based training. Another incentive to attend: You can learn about proper lead-based paint evacuation from the pros and discover that I'm not making this stuff up when I insist we tarp the perimeter of the home with plastic sheeting.
Hope to see you then. Otherwise expect a Pestergram update in early February on the final home selected and more details on the homeowner. As a friendly reminder, the dates for this year's Amigos event is April 13-14 and 20-21.
Blessings,
Ed
At right is one of the most creative ways to communicate the need. Ed Clark, a member of my church, University Park UMC, has been the Amigos Days coordinator for several years.
Last year he began to issue Pestergrams to our congregation to encourage folks to participate. The results have been incredible in generating interest and getting people to join in the process. My normal response when I see an email from someone who I know is in recruiting mode is dread, but I look forward to reading what Ed has to say. The Pestergram – he issued about 15 last year – always brings a smile.
The result is that I find a way to participate in some manner. Read on and tell me what you think.
So if you are having little luck recruiting folks, why not try a new approach. Be creative, try humor (don't take yourself too seriously) and see what happens. It is certainly working for Ed. How about you?
Richard Hearne is Lay Leader of the North Texas Conference, which stretches from just this side of Bogata to just that side of Burkburnett. E-mail him at rbhearne@sbcglobal.net.
AMIGOS DAYS
Amigos Days is a hands-on ministry of The United Methodist Church and People Helping People (a City of Dallas Housing Revitalization Program). It teams with inner-city Methodist host churches to repair and restore homes to make a positive difference in neighborhoods.
When: April 13-14 and April 20-21
Project leader: Ann Meyer
For more info and to volunteer: visit the Amigos Days webpage
