ASSESSME.org:  Ken, please tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be the Executive Pastor for Lakeshore Vineyard Church.

Business Career 25 years, with a break for seminary 8 years in; church plant team member on several times; full time pastor in church plant 2 years; and now Executive pastor of Lakeshore vineyard with responsibility for Pastors, Ministry Directors; and Staff. 

ASSESSME.org:  Why are you passionate about mobilizing people for ministry?

We experience God directly and by Jesus living in us and loving through us.  Love, care, and mentoring will be lacking if all of us are not fulfilling our place in the body.

ASSESSME.org:  What unique obstacles does Lakeshore Vineyard Church confront when trying to mobilize people for ministry?

People are placed into ministry positions on the basis of spiritual qualification and willingness more than passion, gifting, leadership characteristics and personality.  It is difficult to know these things about everyone and use that information to match people to ministry taking these things into consideration

ASSESSME.org:  Using online assessments to help facilitate ministry mobilization is likely new to your congregation.  What strategies is Lakeshore Vineyard Church leadership planning to use to introduce your assessment tools to your people?

Top down works best for us; so we are teaching team ministry concepts in our leadership gatherings and asking leaders to have their existing teams do the assessments.  This acquaints existing leadership with the value of the tools and also helps them to identify gaps in their team.  Step two is incorporating the assessments into our membership/orientation.  In these sessions people are taught about team ministry and are coached through the profile process.  Ministries are presented for their consideration.  A broader sweep includes promotion via  Sunday commercials and making the assessments accessible through our website.

 
ASSESSME.org:  What words of encouragement would you offer pastoral leaders who have become discouraged by the lack of commitment and participation they observe from the members of their congregations? 

Stop trying to fill jobs and start helping people come into the fullness of who God intended them to be.