What Are You Leaving in Your "Wake"?

When I was a child my parents had a house on a lake where we spent our summers and most weekends. I loved to spend my summer days swimming in the lake. Some friends a few houses down from us had a speedboat and often took us water-tobogganing. I loved water-tobogganing! I got quite good at it and rarely could be thrown off the toboggan - no matter how many times I went over the "wake" from the boat.

So, the other day I was thinking about this and about the "wake" we leave in our ministries. Is our wake one where people are excited and enjoying the "ride", or is it one which "throws" them off and leaves them "wounded"?

We are responsible for the people God sends to serve in our ministries. We need to be sure we are encouraging them and helping them grow in their walk; not harming them. Sadly, in too many churches, volunteers are not encouraged and supported; they are used and abused leaving wounded Christians who do not want to serve again. We must be on guard we do not allow our ministries to be one which does this.

We need to be intentional about encouraging and supporting our volunteers so they grow in their walk with God and are able to serve with joy! 

What are you leaving in your "wake"? What do you do to encourage and support your volunteers as you care for them?