Summary: Everyone wants to be asked HOW they are doing. Before we assess WHAT someone is doing, or before we start asking someone to volunteer, it is important to ask HOW they are doing.
Volunteers want to know that YOU know how they're doing. We need to be care-givers to our volunteers. So, before we assess WHAT they're doing, it is important to ask HOW they are doing. This is true in my life, right? You are probably the same. Don't you want people around you to know HOW you're doing rather than to check up on WHAT you're doing?
Before I begin to have important vision casting conversations or recruiting-type conversations, I would simply ask the question, “Hey, what's God doing in your life?” This simple question became a type of temperature reading. I wanted to find out how is this person really doing, rather than me launching into my vision casting thing.
My encouragement to you is for you to use this simple phrase, “Hey, what's God doing in your life, right now?” I do not want you to use this as a trite question so you can get to your agenda. Rather, enter into a deeper conversation, seeking to truly know what God is doing in another person’s life.
You might find out the challenge of an elderly parent that they're having to parent. You might find out that they have a kid who is challenged at school. You might find out that their marriage is challenged. You might find out that they're experiencing an absolute season of blessing. I want you to lead with the question, “Hey, what's God doing in your life” before you start asking them if they'll participate with you in ministry.
I think everyone wants to be asked HOW they are doing. And everyone wants to report out about the realities of what's happening on the inside of their lives.