# Lecture 4 - Transplanting Servants

#### Introduction

- Transplanting servants is like transplanting plants

##### Spiritual Context

- Service is a call (Jeremiah 1:5) 
    - It can be during a specific season in life
    - It can be in a specific place
    - God does not arrange things with the sole purpose of making us comfortable. God puts us in places because there is a need - either for us, or we have a purpose in the place we are, and often it is both!
    - We have to be sensitive of what God is sending us to structure and establish the service in our churches
- God equips those whom he calls to serve (Exodus 31:2-3)

##### Considerations

- <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Service is NOT a tool to encourage people to attend**</span>
    - If such a person cannot engage themselves and find their relationship with God in the Church independently, how can we expect them to guide others to God in the Church?
    - We all struggle... but there are some struggles that can be accommodated in the service, and others that are fatal
- "Firing" servants is difficult 
    - There are ways of "softening the blow" in hopes of not losing the person, but in the end it is difficult
    - It is easier to properly vet servants than to have to let them go later
- Know the needs of the service 
    - What are our strengths
    - What are our weaknesses
    - How can we build up the service
    - Try to find people who can fill the gaps (i.e. "attract talent")
- Focus on building the servants 
    - Just because someone was established in another church or had a successful ministry, doesn't mean he doesn't need building up
    - All servants need to be built up
- Be open to new ideas 
    - It's good to have established systems and procedures, but there is a danger of missing out on good ideas and improvements (especially coming from an "outside eye" - someone who has experience in another program or system)
    - We all have blind spots... there are always things we don't see or notice. Someone coming in from outside may see something glaring that all of those inside can't see

#### Types of Servants who may move into your Church

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-within-the-diocese-o" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 33.2909%;">  
</td><td style="width: 33.2909%;">**Within the Diocese**</td><td style="width: 33.2948%;">**Outside the Diocese**</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.2909%;">**Experienced**</td><td style="width: 33.2909%;">  
</td><td style="width: 33.2948%;">  
</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.2909%;">**Fresh Servant** (completed pre-servants)</td><td style="width: 33.2909%;">  
</td><td style="width: 33.2948%;">  
</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.2909%;">**Enthusiastic about service, but needs training**</td><td style="width: 33.2909%;">  
</td><td style="width: 33.2948%;">  
</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.2909%;">**High Potential** (may help fill a need, but hasn't expressed interest in service)</td><td style="width: 33.2909%;">  
</td><td style="width: 33.2948%;">  
</td></tr></tbody></table>

##### Experienced Servant within the SUS Diocese

- Advantages 
    - Familiar with SUS "school" 
        - e.g. would not come and say "Let's take the kids swimming!"
    - Bringing new ideas from previous experience
    - Easier to get feedback from previous priest/learn about their background 
        - This is beneficial for the service
        - This is beneficial for the servant (i.e. continuity of care)
- Be Aware 
    - Might have expectations from previous experience
- Needs 
    - Familiarization with the local church "culture" 
        - Some things work in one place and not others
        - There are nuiances
    - Build connections with other servants 
        - They are not familiar with people's roles or personalities
        - They want to find a group of servants that they can be comfortable with
    - Need pastoral care 
        - This is common to all people/congregants and especially those being transplanted, whether servant or not

##### Fresh Servant from within the SUS Diocese

- Advantages 
    - Same as before
- Be Aware 
    - Same as before
    - Level of preparation varies across the diocese
- Needs 
    - Same as before
    - Mentorship from senior servants (with any new servant)

##### Enthusiastic to Serve but Limited Preparation within the SUS Diocese

- Advantages 
    - May be familiar with SUS "school" - but maybe not like the experienced servants
    - Enthusiasm to serve 
        - This is needed in the service, but it is not sufficient on its own
        - Their motivations need to be correct 
            - Someone may want to serve because it's good on his resume
            - Someone may want to serve in a specific class because his friend is in that class
        - They need to be receptive to learning
    - Fewer expectations from previous experience
    - Easier to get feedback from previous priest/learn about background
- Be Aware 
    - Limited to no experience or training
- Needs 
    - Same as before
    - Training/pre-servants preparation
    - Mentorship from senior servants

##### High Potential (no pre-servants) within SUS Diocese

- Advantages 
    - Same as before
    - With correct motivation, could be ready to learn and serve
    - Brings something needed into the service
- Be Aware 
    - Limited to no experience or training
    - May be unfamiliar with the demands of the service 
        - It is not simply showing up and giving a lesson
        - There are certain sacrifices that you may have to make in your personal life
        - We have a service code of conduct (e.g. you won't be dancing in a wedding if you're a servant).
- Needs 
    - Same as before
    - Motivation to join the service and support

##### Outside SUS Diocese

- Advantages 
    - New ideas from previous experience
    - Could be well-trained depending where they are from
- Be Aware 
    - May have expectations from previous experience
    - Not familiar with SUS "school"
    - May be difficult to get feedback from previous priest/learn about background 
        - May not be able to reach them
        - Fathers may not be familiar with SUS "school"
        - The person may point you to one father who will say all the nice things about him, without pointing you to the father that he had issues with e.g.
- Needs 
    - Evaluate suitability for service
    - Familiarization within SUS "school" and local church "culture"
    - May need additional training (mentorship by established servant, pre-servants class...)
    - Build connections with other servants
    - Pastoral care