As church leaders, we are familiar with the idea of evaluation, and often score events, weekend programming, and even ourselves with a scorecard mentality. Whether consciously or in the back of our minds, we have ideas of what a “win” looks like, and either reward or remove points accordingly.

A few years ago, our team realized that parents, students, volunteers, and other church staff were all evaluating with very different scorecards. While examining the same set of experiences, several sets of conflicting values and opinions would come to light.

One notable case of this happening was in reference to the student missions experience. Looking at the same outcome, one party was led to criticism while the other celebrated. Neither group had poor motives – everyone wanted students to be involved in loving others through cross-cultural missions – but strategy was not aligned. One group rallied that students should travel and serve together with their peers; the other group advocated for students serving alongside their parents.

Complicating the situation one step more was that as a multi-site church, we had passionate leaders at each of our campuses, not always communicating the same set of values. As we expanded our influence, we also risked segmentation and misunderstanding.

There are significant wins to both student-focused and family-focused missions experiences. Over the years, leaders have seen great success with both options. However, as an Orange church, we asked the question, “Which option elevates the role of the parent in the life of their child?” When asked this question, a room of leaders with dissonant views was able to come together on a solution. The straightforward solution of elevating the role of the family provides leaders across multiple sites to formulate a synchronized strategy and communication plan.

Multi-site magnifies the best and worst of your ministry. If as a team of leaders, you have failed to purposefully choose a strategy, then each site will draw their own conclusions and fill in the gaps with isolated opinions, not strategy. In the same way, choosing a well-defined strategy for how you interact with families, equipping leaders with the same core values, will wow your church with the care you have taken to provide everyone with the same score card.

When everyone has the same scorecard, everyone gets to celebrate the win.

As our leadership team wrestled with how to implement strategy across multiple sites, we learned that strategy must be communication with passion, clarity, and repetition, to ensure the greatest amount of adoption across a wide geographical area.

A final key learning is that you can only have one scorecard. We have developed a Family Map that integrates all ministry taking place from birth to high school graduation. We have begun using the Map internally as a means of deciding what elements fall within our core strategy. You can see more of this at http://www.1semester.com/freestuff/

What is your scorecard? What elements does your team value in evaluating outcomes?

I was reflecting the other day about how my career has progressed and I began to realize that I have volunteered my way into nearly every position I have held. I would find an organization that captured my interest and begin volunteering to help them accomplish their vision. Over time I would become a meaningful part of the team and eventually be asked if I would consider a position there. So as you wrestle through leadership and staffing issues keep the volunteer satisfaction construct at the front of your radar. Who knows, maybe you are already working alongside your next hire.

Several months ago, I was approached by one of our pastors and asked if I would be willing to lead a volunteer team for an upcoming event our church was hosting. The event was a fundraiser for our partner the 410 Bridge, and featured the Daraja Children’s Choir and Love Does author Bob Goff. I was ecstatic! I love leading volunteers! I love the Daraja Children’s Choir! I love Bob Goff!

But what I didn’t love was how the start of the fundraising event was a mere 24 hours after I would land from a 13 hour plane ride. Knowing I would be out of town the week prior to the event, I was forced to decline the opportunity. As I was explaining why I would be unable to lead the volunteer team, my mind began whirling around the names of friends who are incredible volunteers and excellent leaders. I finished the conversation with, “I can’t take on this responsibility, but I know who should!” I immediately recommended Freedom, Kelly, and Molly!

Freedom and Kelly are the first people my husband and I met when we began volunteering at our church. Kelly was a high-capacity volunteer who oversaw the children’s program in which Tim and I got our start as volunteers. Kelly’s husband Freedom is a produce broker and is a master at supplying potatoes, onions, and all kinds of vegetables to people nationwide. As their young children grew older, Kelly stepped out of her full-time volunteer role of leading volunteers, and began leading a small group of middle school girls. When she took on this group, I had just come on staff at the church and was the leader who oversaw this ministry. Freedom and Kelly are incredible volunteer leaders.

Molly graduated from college in May and is pursuing a career in the non-profit sector. Like Kelly, she is a dedicated small group leader for students. Molly is young and bright, and shows keen judgment in approaching projects. As one of my best friends, I’ve learned to lean on her wisdom as it pertains to catalyzing change and mobilizing others.

When I walked into the event venue on Monday night, fresh back from volunteer trainings in Dubai, I was blown away to see my three friends modeling what Darren and Christine had been talking about for the past week. They were well organized in advance, ready to greet and resource volunteers as we arrived. Each volunteer had a specific job description and the information necessary to carry it out. The environment was fun and the mission was clear.

The morning after the event, I received an e-mail from Freedom, with a personalized thank you for volunteering, and a recap of how the mission had been accomplished. I sat back in my chair and thought about how the best leaders of volunteers are those who have experienced being volunteers. Freedom, Kelly, and Molly mobilized piles of people to carry out a big vision. They are rockstar leaders… who volunteer.