Don't Let Your People be Discouraged!

This week we've been focusing on how to encourage the members of your 200church. We have looked at various ways to stay encouraged as leaders and how to pass our encouragement on to the people that God has given us to serve. But how can you tell when people need to be encouraged the most? What are some signs and symptoms that your volunteers and members need a pep talk that only you can provide?

3 Signs Your People Need Encouragement

1. Volunteers seem to be burning out left and right
Have you noticed that some Sunday school teachers have been asking to "take some time off" lately? Have greeters been coming up with excuses to limit the number of Sunday's they're available? Maybe it's just a busy time of year, or maybe your volunteers are running on fumes. Take these natural cues and give people serving a break, but also take some time to encourage them! Buy them lunch, take them out to coffee, send that thank you note. No matter how simple the gesture is, it can go a long way to someone who is feeling low.

2. You're having Difficulty Retaining Visitors
Nobody can sniff out a discouraged congregation faster than a visitor. People are dragging, the glass is half empty, even the coffee seems extra bitter. If you are having a lot of people visiting, but not many people returning, your people probably need some encouragement! This is an opportunity for you to get relational with people, spend some time with families in your church, or even start a new sermon series focused on God's promises to His people. Take a cue from your visitors and build your people up!

3. There's Little Interest in the Business of the Church
Having low attendance at services and events? Can't get your elders to show up on a monthly basis? There's a good chance that your people are feeling discouraged about the future and direction of your church. When that happens, the vocal minority will always step in and push the agenda in their direction. As leaders of 200churches, we desire for the majority of our congregations to care about and invest in the future of the church. Take some time to talk up the mission and purpose of your church and cast a clear vision for the future. Encourage people by letting them know that your church is going somewhere and God is at the helm. 


The business of the church is God's business and should be ours and our members' as well. Get intentional about communicating direction to your congregation and build back their interest in your church's future. 


It truly is an honor to be called by God to serve in a 200church and to encourage the people that God has given us to serve. We hope that this week you've been encouraged by our blogs and podcast and that you can pass that encouragement to your volunteers and members. Have a great weekend!