We know it, no one needs to remind us. Or do we need to be reminded? The volunteers and staff who make up our ministry teams matter as much as the people we're serving. Our teams are people, too.

As I've had conversations with volunteers and staff on my various teams over the past couple weeks, I've been reminded. People matter. People need value. These people are my first "customers" or "guests".

Just this past week or so, I've been reminded - they will experience value when:

Healthy, growing churches face the tragedy of silo-building as new ministries emerge. Over time the best practices form identity. And if not intentionally guarded, that identity turns to turf-guarding. Aw, the challenge. From my observation - with growth comes:

• an ever-increasing response to