I also attend conferences to be exposed to bigger vision. I believe that there is nothing more contagious than a God inspired, Spirit lead vision. I’m the type learner that it helps me to see something with my own eyes. It’s easier for me to grasp by seeing than just hearing or reading about it only. Seeing a big vision in action has always helped me to catch the vision. I think that big vision is easier caught than taught and that being exposed to a larger vision than what you presently have and open your eyes to the possibility of “I can do this too!”

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The first national children’s ministry conference I heard about was the Fellowship of Christian Magicians Conference. (It was much more than magic, there were workshops on every type of ministry performance methods to children there where back then) I wanted to attend so badly but my church did not have a conference budget so I remember getting the brochure listing the workshops and workshop speakers and after the event I looked up some of the presenters phone numbers and called them and asked them about their workshops and asked for any notes or cassette recording they had I could get my hands on them. One of the people who took my call and sent me his notes was Dick Gruber. Dick thought I was some” country bumpkin” from the south calling him up asking him to teach me “how to do clown ministry over the telephone.” Not only did I find out what I wanted to learn but it was the start of a wonderful friendship. In fact, most of the dearest and best friends I have on this earth I met at a conference.

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You see my name is Jim and yes I am a conference-a-holic! This is where I hear you say “Hi Jim!” I’ve been attending conferences a long time, a really long time. Now that I add it up, I’ve been attending some type of conference every year for almost four decades. Big ones, small ones, one day ones, multi-day ones even “come spend a week with us ones” and then if that was not enough I started speaking at conferences in 1980. You would think this would scratch my conference itch but then not only did I keep attending conferences and speaking at conferences I started hosting conferences that only lead me to the hard stuff , organinizing and putting on conferences. Yes you could say I have a serious conference addiction.

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Planing for growth is very important but equally as important is the third key to growth and that is expect growth. We should not be surprised when our plans come together and growth takes place. the word of God promises all who keep and observe God's word that blessed will be everything that they put their hand to. Jesus said himself in talking about his disciples that He has chosen and appointed his disciples to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.(John 15:16) Jesus did not say I have chosen you and appointed you to fail.

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One way you can achieve this and make your plans and dreams come true is by thinking small. At lease that's the way Sam Walton the founder of Wal-mart stores puts it in his book "Made in America," when asked how Walton became the largest retailer in the world.

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2. The next key to growth is making room for it. In the second chapter of the book of John we see a good example of this If we do what we can do God will do what He can do. Jesus told them to go and fill six large water pots with water. They did what he said and the miracle took placed. I believe that if they had not obeyed the Lord the miracle of turning water into wine would not have happen. Jesus could have turned air into wine just as easily as water but He wanted to show us the importance of making room for God to move within everything we do.

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Let's look into these three key factors individually.
1. DO YOU DESIRE GROWTH? "Well of course I do!" You say, but do you desire it enough to do whatever it takes to see it come to pass. Do you desire it enough to change and be willing and committed to constant change within your thinking, within your goals and plans and within your personal life?

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But numerical growth is not the only kind of growth that we should be seeking. We learn from Jesus' boyhood in Luke 2: 52 that Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men. In other words He grew in the knowledge of the word, He grew physically, He grew in His relationship with Father God, and He also grew in his relationships with others.

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Everything that is alive is growing. It does not matter if you are talking about flowers, trees, the grass in your yard or people. If it is ALIVE it should be growing. In fact if something is not growing and it's suppose to be alive you better check it, it could be dead!

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I love being spoiled. My wife has spoiled me for over 30 years. My daughters have spoiled their Dad all their life, my employees spoil me at the office on a regular basis. Because I like it so much I want to spoil others. A great goal is to purpose in your heart to spoil your volunteers outside their classrooms as well as in. You’ve heard me say this before, you gain those you serve. It’s a spiritual law. Christ Jesus came to serve not to be served.
Here’s my top 10 List for you to stand out in your church as a leader who serves their volunteers:

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