If you fail with volunteers...

(Don't believe it? Go here, here, here, here, here, and here.)

Yet, the overwhelming majority of ministry leaders have had very little—if any—training when it comes to finding, developing, and retaining volunteers for ministry.

I have great news for you.

Help is on the way!

You—and anyone else you know who oversees ministry volunteers in any capacity—are invited to these three biblical, interactive, and practical training experiences.

Thursday, September 19, 2019
Session #1 Finding Volunteers
We'll explore five practical ways to turn pew potatoes into passionate participators.
Plus we'll explore...
* Why volunteers want a mission not just tasks
* How to develop a volunteer "job description" for your ministry
* How NOT to ask volunteers for help
* How to train volunteers to find more volunteers 

Note: Session #1 will take place on Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 9 AM to 11:15 AM at The Christian Center, Your ticket into any or all three training sessions is a one-time purchase of this book. Read chapter 1 before you come to the training. Each person must bring their book to each training session—along with your Bible, a notebook, and pen. Immediately after this training, you are invited to lunch with The Peoria Area Youth Workers Network from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Cost for lunch is $5.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Session #2 Developing Volunteers
We'll explore twelve motivating factors that make volunteers tick and why they matter.
Plus we'll explore...
* Why working with volunteers requires real leadership
* The differences between a boss and a leader
* How we demotivate volunteers and how to stop it
* The power of feedback to and from volunteers

Note: Session #2 will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 9 AM to 11:15 AM at The Christian Center, Your ticket into any or all three training sessions is a one-time purchase of this book. Read chapter 2 before you come to the training. Each person must bring their book to each training session—along with your Bible, a notebook, and pen. Immediately after this training, you are invited to lunch with The Peoria Area Youth Workers Network from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Cost for lunch is $5.

Thursday, November 21, 2019
Session #3 Retaining Volunteers

We'll explore seven ways to retain highly effective volunteers. 
Plus we'll explore...
* Why volunteers quit leaders and not ministries
* How to encourage volunteers
* How to train volunteers—not just organize them
* The three minute difference

Note: Session #3 will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 9 AM to 11:15 AM at The Christian Center, Your ticket into any or all three training sessions is a one-time purchase of this book. Read chapter 3 before you come to the training. Each person must bring their book to each training session—along with your Bible, a notebook, and pen. Immediately after this training, you are invited to lunch with The Peoria Area Youth Workers Network from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Cost for lunch is $5.

Each of these three training sessions are filled with practical tools for personal and team assessments. You'll leave with clear next steps for immediate application.

Who?
This training is for anyone who oversees a ministry—volunteers or paid staff. Please invite another leader from your church, ministry, network or denomination. The learning and application will be so much deeper and transformative. If you can't find anyone else to join you for one or more of these training sessions, please come yourself.

Training Materials?

Each person must purchase the updated, revised, and expanded edition of Recruiting, Motivating, and Retaining Volunteers—a handbook for anyone who works with volunteers in a ministry setting. 



RSVP?
To reserve your seat for any of these training experiences, please contact Bill.


Can't Make It?
Want to bring THIS training to your ministry leaders? Please contact Bill.


You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Challenge of Being a Disciplemaking Pastor—Part 1

"Hi Bill,
We talked a few months ago after the disciplemaking training experience you and your pastor friends led for the pastors of our denomination. I had been at my present church for a couple of months when that training took place. Here's a picture of the group of men I'm pulling close for disciplemaking. I would say our group is still in its infancy, but these guys are beginning to bond together and I am seeing some spiritual movement and passion kindled.

This took me a lot longer than I expected. I had originally planned to do this with the church elders. I struggled for a few months because they were resistant to meet outside of the normal business meetings due to time constraints—and that was just not enough to take this to a deeper level. So I began searching for the guys God had placed in my life here that would be receptive. I found three who were committed to come and begin the disciplemaking process.

It has been exciting to see what God is already doing in them. One of them, whom I saw from the day I came to candidate, has a deep desire to take it to the next level, no matter what. God is developing leadership in him for the future. All three together are a solid start—even if a slow one.

Thank you for staying in touch. Blessings to you and your crew!"

What can we learn from this true story?

Here's a thought that comes to my mind.

What's your next step?
* A blue-print for disciplemaking pastors
* Training for disciplemaking pastors 

* Training Pastors to Train Disciplemakers 
* The true story of a disciplemaking pastor 

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Cadre and FCA: Disciplemaking Friendships that Multiply...

Meanwhile, at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' (FCA) summer training camp in Jacksonville, IL, Crazy Pastor Steve (CPS) teaches everyone that The Disciplemaker's Prayer is way more than a prayer. It's a way of life together! 

What might God be able to do in our country and around the world if a small cadre of athletes and coaches embraced Jesus-like disciplemaking friendships that multiply?

Exciting thought, ain't it? That's exactly WHY we love and partner with Cole Espenshied and the Peoria Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

I dare you to stop and pray it RIGHT NOW.

No. Seriously. Right now.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Disciplemaking Introvert Is Not an Oxymoron...

It's not uncommon for someone to walk up to me after one of our disciplemaking training experiences and say something like...

"The training was great, but I'm an introvert."

Think with me a bit here.

Can someone live as a disciplemaker and be an introvert? Does it have to be either/or?

Jesus had twelve disciples—very close disciplemaking friends—who actively made more disciples (see The New Testament). Do you think any of them may have been introverts? If I were a betting man, I’d take that bet. Who might you guess would be the introverts amongst Jesus’ disciples? Why? And perhaps more important, so what?

Perhaps the real question underneath the introvert question is...

Does your personality type take you off the hook for making disciples? 

I can't find anywhere in Scripture where Jesus says, “Go and make disciples—unless you’re an introvert. Then you folks make the coffee and stack chairs.” No, every follower of Jesus is on the hook for making disciples—regardless of his or her temperament. 

Here's the real kicker..

I think introverts are amazing and effective disciplemakers. 

Are you still with me? Anyone out there? Let me explain...

My wife is the epitome of what it means to be an introvert. Is she commanded by Jesus to make disciples? Yes. However, she and other introverts don’t make disciples by being up front in a crowd. They don’t tend to talk a lot about disciplemaking. They just live it quietly—and I contend—often more effectively—precisely because they lead with friendship. We affectionately call this "Down-Low Disciplemaking.

Make no mistake about it: There is no ideal temperament for a disciplemaker. We need all hands—and all personality types—on deck for Jesus' disciplemaking mission to be accomplished.

The Great Commission has no exception clause.

If that's true, what's your next step?
* Step 1 Start here.

* Step 2 Go here.

[This post comes directly from The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus book (c) 2018 by Cadre Missionaries and is used by permission.]

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Please pray RIGHT NOW...

At this very moment, two of our beloved daughters, Sadey (17) and Aubrey (24), are on a mission trip in Belize. (They are not wearing coats in Belize right now, I can promise you that : )

Would you please join us in praying RIGHT NOW for them and their teammates?

* For health and safety.
* For wisdom and love for the people of Belize.
* For teamwork and flexibility.
* For the hearts of the people of Belize to be open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

They left today and they plan to be back this coming Sunday.

Thank you for praying for them RIGHT NOW!

Our son, Bill, and his fiancé are investing their lives this summer at a Christian camp in Iowa that is focused on reaching at-risk youth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and discipling them. Let’s just say that some of the stories they have shared with us have made us way better prayer partners. We love that they are sharing Jesus (the only hope for this world) with these kids.

Would you please join us in praying RIGHT NOW for them and the other summer staff?

* For health and safety. (Not joking)
* For wisdom and love for these kids.
* For teamwork and flexibility.
* For the hearts of the campers to be open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

FYI: Bill and his fiancé are getting married next month, August 10th. (Yes, we’re getting another daughter! And we couldn’t be more excited!)

Thanks for praying for our adult children… RIGHT NOW.

Bill for all of us

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

What God Did on Our Summer Mission Trip of Encouragement...

"Bill, what a huge blessing it was to see you, Stacy, and Ivy! It was so good for all of us. I'm committed to pray for your family each time Lisa and I pray together. We love you, we really do." 

—Tim Kurtz, AZ

We're back from our summer mission trip of encouragement! 

From our hearts to everyone of you who prayed and $upported us—THANK YOU! 

Check out what God did—and join us in giving all the glory to Jesus!

"He traveled through that area speaking many words of encouragement…." Acts 20:2

Above in Missouri:
Our first stop was with our disciplemaking friends, Rick and Shirleen Pilcher. Rick and I have known each other since we both were new followers of Jesus as teenagers. Rick invited his family and friends who had read The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus book to join us for an evening of iron-sharpening-iron community and disciplemaking.

Missouri was a favorite stop for Ivy because Rick trained Ivy to twist balloons and share the Gospel and Bible stories! We go to give encouragement and God uses our friends to encourage us. Beautifully ironic, ain't it? Ivy left with her own balloons and pump :  )

"Judas and Silas... said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers" Acts 15:32.

Above in Oklahoma: 

I've known and loved Levi Carter since he was 14-years-old (that was a long time ago). Many years later, Levi has been a pastor, ministry leader, and is now an aspiring church planter. We were blessed and encouraged by Levi, his wife, Lizeth, and their four beautiful children.

Above in Texas: 

The further west one journeys... the more critically important it is to wear your cowboy hat. Not really. But I did anyway.

"...Paul and Silas.. went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them…." Acts 16:40

Above in Arizona: 

In my 20s I played in a Christian band with youth pastors and volunteer youth leaders in the Peoria, IL, area. Tim Kurtz was our drummer and then our singer. We haven't seen Tim and his family in many years. So you can imagine our reunion when we stayed with the Kurtz family! 

"We sent Timothy… to strengthen and encourage you in your faith…." 1 Thessalonians 3:2

Above in California: 

So much fun to stay with our disciplemaking friend Phil and then be at Sanctify Church!

So much fun with friends from Sanctify Church over lunch.

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." Philemon 1:7

Above in Nevada: 

We spent then night at Derrick and June Smother's place. You may remember our disciplemaking friendship with the Smothers from here, here, here, and ,most recently, here.

Above in Utah: 

Meet our friend Vern. He runs Gourmandise in Salt Lake City, UT. Absolutely delish! We highly recommend.

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...." Hebrews 10:25

Above in Minnesota: 

Time with (TW) Mark and Rachel O'Brien—some of our favorite part-time Cadre Missionaries.

"But encourage one another daily...." Hebrews 3:13

Above with friends who live in Minnesota: 

Time with (TW) Shane and Heather Stacey and family. Shane is the Adult Equipping Pastor at Hosanna Church.

And in Minnesota Yet Again: 

Time with (TW) Ken and Kathy Castor. Ken is Professor of Youth Ministry at Crown College (Christian and Missionary Alliance). We couldn't resist the invitation to join Ken and Kathy to this HUGE crazy candy store in Minnesota. He had me at "candy."

Above in Iowa: 

On the final leg of the journey home to IL, we were out in the middle of nowhere when we came across Allison, IA. I kid you not. Couldn't resist taking this picture. 

We couldn't be Cadre Missionaries of encouragement to so many people without friends like you. Thank you for every prayer you breathe on our behalf and for every penny you give. You really are God's wind in our Cadre sails—and we will continue to do everything we can to multiply disciplemakers so that your investment in us continues to roll out through disciplemakers who make disciplesmakers—who make more disciplemakers. Only Heaven will be able to tell just how you are making an eternal difference.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Intersection of Children's Ministry and Disciplemaking...

My disciplemaking friend, Andrew Lindell, trained the summer staff of Camp of Champions USA (COCUSA) to live and share a Jesus-like disciplemaking way of life with the next generations of children. (In case you're wondering, Andrew did this training. And you can too.)

Looks like it's going to be a disciplemaking summer with kids at COCUSA!

How beautiful and strategic is that?

Ponder this for a moment:
Wouldn't it be CRAZY if the kids being discipled make more disciples—and then those disciples make even more disciples?

Yeah, crazy like Jesus.

Making disciplemakers who make more disciplemakers: It's the only hope for this country and the world.

Here's why.

Please pray a quick right-now prayer for God to use the staff of Camp of Champions in making disciplemakers with the next generations—for extension of God's kingdom and His glory!

p.s. Join us for this disciplemaking training experience on August 1st at Community Free Church in Mahomet, IL. Contact me for details.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

It's not called "The Great Suggestion"

It's not just a good idea.

It's not just a suggestion.

It's not a program.

It's certainly not optional.

And it's NOT just for paid pastors, ministers and missionaries.

It IS a command from Jesus himself to ALL of His followers

THIS is what God made YOU for.

YOU are a disciplemaker.

And here's the kicker:
Living as a disciplemaker isn't so much about changing the world as it is changing the way you live in the world.

But what might this look like in your everyday life?

Here’s something you may want to explore.

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.

2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Our Summer Mission Trip: We Need Your Help...

As you read this, we're on the road. 

We're out and about being missionaries of encouragement to our disciplemaking friends in MO, OK, AZ, CA, NV, and MN. Plus, we'll be introducing Cadre's disciplemaking ministry to pastors and volunteer ministry leaders as we travel west and then back home.

Like the Apostle Paul said about his disciplemaking friends, "When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours." (Romans 1:12, emphasis mine)

So make no mistake about it:

We need encouragement from you.

Would you prayerfully consider giving a $ gift to send us out as your missionaries of encouragement?

We need at least $1,000 for travel, expenses, and disciplemaking materials.

Summer can be a financially challenging time for missionaries like us, so a gift of any size at this time would be a huge encouragement to us.

If you are willing and able to help us, go here. 

(Please attach note: "Allisons")

If you can't help, we still love you and we're trusting God to provide in some other way.

From our hearts to yours, THANK YOU for every prayer you pray and every penny you give!

Your prayers and financial support really are God's wind in our missionary sails—and we thank God for you.

Bill, Stacy, and Ivy
p.s. Please take a moment to see how God is using you via Cadre for His glory!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just in case you're wondering...
This post raises a good question: Is "encouragement" really enough of a reason to hit the road and get time with disciplemaking friends? 

Fair question. Read below and decide for yourself...
· He [Paul] traveled through that area speaking many words of encouragement…. (Acts 20:2)

· Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. (Acts 15:32)

· After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them…. (Acts 16:40)

· Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by.…(Acts 20:1)

· I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. (Ephesians 6:22)

· My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart…. (Colossians 2:2)

· We sent Timothy… to strengthen and encourage you in your faith…. (I Thessalonians 3:2)

· Therefore encourage each other with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:18)

· Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11)

· Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. (II Timothy 4:2)

· Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. (Philemon 1:7)

· But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)

· Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

We really are your missionaries of encouragement.

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. You must be a hardcore disciplemaking friend!

“Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers…. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.” —3 John 5-8

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Fathering IS Disciplemaking...

Warning. You're about to encounter satire. If you don't like to think or have fun while making a salient point, turn back now. You have been warned.

LOUISVILLE, KY—Stating that he had been feeling a sense of purposelessness and melancholy for some months now, local father of three Andrew Harbaugh recently began wondering when he would ever get a chance to impact anyone for the sake of Christ, sources close to him confirmed Thursday.

Harbaugh reportedly spends his days working ten hours at a desk job and his nights talking and playing with his three children.

“I just wish God would place a few people in my life for whom I could make an eternal difference,” Harbaugh told reporters, his head in his hands. “I just don’t have time to do anything for the Kingdom of God while I provide for my family and spend time with my three boys.”

“Surely the Lord will have something important for me to do someday,” he added sadly.

He further stated that every second of his day is taken up with “mundane” tasks like instructing and caring for his children, leaving him little to no time to evangelize or influence others for the gospel.

“I’ve just got my hands full with these kids. When will I ever get to do some important Kingdom work for God?” he lamented.

* This came from the Babylon Bee.

Happy Father's Day to fathers everywhere because fathering IS "important kingdom work for God."

On a serious note...
* Babysitting or Fathering?
* Disciplemaking Dads?
* Dads Who Pray?
* Google or Dad?

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

In a world full of overwhelmingly negative news, here's some good news...

Look at What God Is Doing! 

Click images below to enlarge for viewing and reading.

Or go here.

Why Cadre Missionaries and Why Disciplemaking?

We need YOU to join our 2x-a-month email prayer team!

Send an email to us.

Just a reminder: You're God's favorite.

Special Note: 

Summer can be a financially challenging time for missionaries like us. Can you help us $ this summer? A gift of any size would be a HUGE encouragement to our souls. If you are willing and able, go here. 

THANK YOU!

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Are you only organizing volunteers for ministry?

A Baptist, a Nazarene, and a Methodist all walk into a Starbucks. (Insert your own ending to the joke here.)

My disciplemaking friend, Crazy Pastor Steve (on the left), took this picture and sent it to me. (From left to right is Benny the Baptist, Josh the Nazarene, and Trent the Methodist.)

It turns out that these three disciplemaking youth pastors in Central IL were gathered together to prepare for a collaborative time of equipping students and volunteers to live and share disciplemaking friendships that multiply to others.

Pause and re-read the italics and bold lettering above one more time.

I know and love all three of these youth pastors. We've study Jesus together in our Disciplemaking Learning Community. I've preached in each of their churches. I've enjoyed numerous lunches and lots of coffee with these guys.

But there is more to this picture than meets the eye.

I think this picture is remarkable on a several levels.  

Ponder the following with me...

First, many ministry leaders organize volunteers for their programs. Way fewer ministry leaders actually encourage AND equip volunteers to live and share disciplemaking as a way of life with others.

Second, their friendship with each other is big enough that it doesn't matter that they are from different denominations. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is enough reason to partner together for making disciplemakers with the next generations.

Last, they totally left me out of this meeting. I wasn't even invited. And I couldn't more filled with joy about it (see Luke 10:21).

So what does this have to do with you?

Possibly nothing... and maybe everything. That all depends on you.

The big question is this: Are YOU only organizing volunteers for ministry?

Answer that question. Be honest. I dare you.

If you only focus on organizing volunteers for ministry, you're using volunteers to build your ministry —when you should be using your ministry to build volunteers.

If you REALLY want to train volunteers but don't know where to start, then THIS IS FOR YOU. (It's a FREE downloadable book I wrote that will help you help others. Feel free to share it with others who are only organizing volunteers for ministry.)

Here are some more germane questions for you to explore and reflect upon...
1. Need help finding, developing, and retaining volunteers?
2. What training are they doing?
3. How can YOU bring this training to your church/ministry?
4. What is a Disciplemaking Learning Community?
5. Who else do you know that is making disciplemakers?
6. Who is Crazy Pastor Steve?

"We haven't made disciples like Jesus until those we disciple make more disciples."

You, Me, and Coffee Monday... 

Let me encourage you and make you think ONE time a week (usually Monday morning) with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. Two Simple Steps...

1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Check your email to confirm.
You can unsubscribe at any time.