We’ve seen God do so many amazing things over the past 20 months. And, one of the reasons we’ve been able to follow God’s lead so effectively is because we’ve got such an incredible volunteer staff force. We require nearly 300 volunteers every week to bring Elevation Church to life.

You’re wondering why the Creative Pastor is talking about volunteers? Because they are critical to just about every operation in the church. If you’ve never approached what you do this way, let me be the first to regurgitate a Mavericks at Work line for you, “no one is as smart as everyone.��? Meaning, if we don’t figure out how to bring in more people, minds, hands and bodies to make a significant contribution, we’re leaving great results on the table.

I would say we’re strong when it comes to identifying and qualifying volunteers. The retention rate is higher than average too. But, at some point, volunteers decide to move on for a variety of reasons. Here’s my take on why that happens:

Volunteers are no different than any of us. They are looking for a sense of purpose and belonging. And if they show up on a Sunday morning and feel unclear about how their effort makes a difference in the big picture or how their contribution even makes a difference at all, good luck at trying to make it last.
If I were building the ideal situation for a thriving volunteer it would be an environment where…

1. …every volunteer had more than just a knowledge of the biggest picture, but an intimate working knowledge of how their specific role impacts the big picture
2. …point 1 got creatively revisited as much as possible
3. …volunteers felt valued–they need to know we recognize and care about their sacrifice
4. …volunteers would be challenged to stretch themselves. If someone has one hour to give, do they have two? Not because milking volunteers for all their worth is the way we approach it, but because challenging them to become greater men and women of God sometimes starts with their willingness to sacrifice and surrender certain things in their lives. Our job is to create and present an opportunity, a volunteers job is to let God use the opportunities to grow them.
5. …volunteers didn’t feel ashamed for not knowing what to do or how to do something well. We have to build processes that allow for the development of new people.

Larry Hubatka, Creative Pastor

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There aren’t many people who take risks. I mean true risks. Firemen, Policemen, Soldiers, Missionaries and other professions similar to those are understood as risky jobs. There is no argument about that other than the brave men and women who actually serve in those areas. They would tell you they are simply doing what they were made to do.Â

Some people have told me that leaving my current church and joining the staff at Elevation Church would be risky. As you can tell by my above statement, I don’t believe there is much risk in my decision to come to Charlotte. The ones who were risky were the men and women who came two years ago to start this church. As for me, I’m one of the many people who will experience God’s blessing for their faithfulness.Â

As I prepare to become the Family Pastor of Elevation Church God continually reminds me of the value of humility. The responsibility of leading and managing all areas of the Family Ministry is an intimidating prospect if I rely on my own abilities and gifts. However, if I will “humble myself and pray,� God has promised to intervene on behalf of His people.

One of the most important things for me right now is to take practical steps to become a part of the culture of Elevation. Possibly the most practical step I can take to ease the transition of a new person on staff is to make sure that I value the individuals who have been creating and maintaining the Family Ministries for the last 21 months. I’ve seen student ministries suffer because the new Youth Minister was too eager to get “hisâ€? agenda and “hisâ€? kind of people in place.Â

I want to meet the volunteers, staff and parents who have given me this opportunity. I want to thank them for the way their tireless work will impact my family. Most of all, I want to learn from them. Only then can I truly lead them on to the next phase of Family Ministry at Elevation Church. We must be on the same page. They must believe in me and I must believe in them.  Â

Phillip McCart, Family Pastor

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The faster Elevation Church grows, the harder it is to find staff members. We have made a conscious decision to “hire leaders firstâ€? in this season.Â

We’ve ended the search for our new Family Pastor and found a guy that we believe will not only take us to the next level but revolutionize family ministry. Phillip McCart will be joining our team as a directional staff member. Despite a strong love for Notre Dame, we’re excited to bring in a results focused high level leader.Â

He is a regular blogger which you can check out here. Phillip will be phasing into his role and be here full time by the first of the year.Â

Chunks Corbett, Executive Pastor

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Well, we have a winner. We had our first annual KFC Chicken Bowl Challenge. The staff men of Elevation decided to take the smack talk to the playing field. And that playing field was none other than the local KFC.Â

Here is a brief play-by-play of the afternoon’s events. We ordered 9 chicken bowls, we had a 2 minute cooling and mixing period, and 1:19 seconds later we had a winner. The tape is still being reviewed but at this point the winner is Larry Brey (pictured cheesily below).Â

The secondary team competition was a landslide victory for the core team boys, who annihilated the worship team and the creative suite. The most disappointing performance went to the self-proclaimed king of the chicken bowl, Mack Brock.Â

“It was quite an eventâ€?, said the chicken-bowl challenge chair Wade Joye. A native of Columbia, SC, Joye was just bites away from not actually completing his bowl, a crime punishable by having to walk back to the office.But overall, Joye was excited with the turnout.Â

As for when the next challenge will take place, no date has been secured. Chris Brown has requested the challenge be quarterly, with the Super-Chicken Bowl Challenge taking place in Kentucky. We’ll have to let the church Chicken Bowl Challenge committee rule on this one. Â

Overall, it was a great afternoon, it took less than a normal lunch hour, and has re-charged the smack talk in the office.Â

Chunks Corbett, Executive Pastor
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