After the Amen

Tear-down and load-out

What we do: tear-down is announced from the mic, everyone helps, and gear goes back to labelled storage.

Who leads: the Legends lead, with every volunteer.

Why

An owner doesn't fill a seat, they find the gaps and meet the needs of the organization as a whole.

• Leave it better than you found it.
• If serving is beneath you, leadership is beyond you.

What we learned

• Volunteers tear down before they hang out.
• Scattered tear-down means no one is directing it. Station people at storage and have others carry to them.
• Say everything out loud: when tear-down starts, when more hands are needed, when it is done.
• Quick, cheerful tear-down is a strength in its own right.

The review

What we do

Each team makes a SWOT analysis after every event or gathering. Your SWOT can be simple bullet points.

Why

It's impossible to make it better and stay the same. Growing organizations recognize that change is not only healthy, but it's necessary. We encourage every servant leader to make it 1% better every week. Progression over perfection. We will always welcome and provide quality feedback in an honorable way.

A critical spirit is born out of a negative attitude. We celebrate constantly realizing that the things God is doing is greater than the mistakes we are making.

What we learned

• Keep it short: 5 to 15 minutes, four headings.
• Strengths come first, and include people stepping up, not only logistics.
• Every weakness becomes an item with an owner.
• The habit is easy to lose in busy seasons.

The staff still reviews Sunday every week with a short SWOT at staff meeting.

• Inspect what you expect.

Sundays that change the flow

• Baptism Sunday: "something that should be celebrated in front of the people you love and your community of faith."
• Communion Sunday: monthly.
• All Team Sundays: four times a year (Easter, Candlelight, Anniversary, Conference). "Schedule the whole team for these Sundays. All hands on deck."
• Party with a purpose.
• Sundays are for service.