If you are leading in any capacity in a local church, you already recognize this truth: volunteers are invaluable. Your ministry can survive for a season without a full budget, sufficient space, or even adequate staff. But without volunteers? That’s when things come to a grinding halt.
You also understand that we don’t invite people to serve because we want something from them; we invite them to serve because we want something for them. When people serve, they experience being part of something larger than themselves. They grow in community, discover their gifts, and live out their purpose. Serving is spiritual formation in action.
So with all those benefits, why is it still so common for churches to struggle with a lack of volunteers? Maybe it’s because our churches aren’t as volunteer-friendly as we believe they are.
Let’s examine three ways we can foster a more welcoming and effective volunteer culture.
Celebrate Your Volunteers Often
Everyone wants to feel seen, valued, and appreciated. When volunteers know they matter, they’re more likely to not only stay engaged but also to invite others to join them.
Here are some practical ways to celebrate your volunteers:
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- Highlight a volunteer you saw embodying a value of your church during a pre-service huddle or prayer time.
- Host a year-end volunteer celebration event that emphasizes fun and team building, not just training.
- Recognize volunteers from the stage during weekend services. Share photos, interviews, or short testimonies about why they serve. Conclude with an invitation for others to join a team.
- A simple handwritten thank you note with a coffee gift card can go a long way. Small gestures often have a greater impact than we realize.
Be Ready for People When People Are Ready
We need to engage with people on their schedule, not ours. It’s great that we organize big events to attract volunteers, but we also need systems that accommodate their timing.
Consider these readiness questions:
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- Is our volunteer onboarding process clear? Can someone easily find out how to get involved? Whether it’s a card in a seatback, a QR code in the lobby, or a link on the website, clarify the next step.
- Are we generous with our volunteers? I once heard a pastor say, “Serving isn’t a life sentence, it’s a season.” Help people find the right fit, even if that means they move from your area of ministry to another one.
- Do we allow space to explore? People may want more information before they commit.
- Offer opportunities to shadow, ask questions, or connect casually before integrating them into the team.
Speed Up Your Follow Up
When someone takes the courageous step of saying, “I’m interested,” we need to respond quickly. Every day that passes increases the chances that their excitement will fade.
What are some ways to enhance follow-up?
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- Establish a clear system and standardize the process. What happens the moment someone expresses interest? Who is responsible for following up with a clear next step for the potential volunteer? Do we have a checklist of steps we follow to ensure this process is as clear as possible?
- Create accountability. Who is responsible for each step of the process? Utilize the tools you have. Are you using church software or another system to track follow-ups? How often do you audit your response times?
Nothing is more discouraging than casting a vision for someone to volunteer, having someone catch that vision and give us their information, only to hear from that person weeks later, “I tried to volunteer, but nobody got in touch with me. I guess you don’t need me.”
Set a High Bar of Expectations
How are we consistently casting vision for our people that serving on a volunteer team is a vital step in spiritual growth? Serving the church isn’t just beneficial; it’s a crucial part of the discipleship journey and should be a clear expectation for everyone who considers our church their home. When we present a compelling vision, we empower people to live out Galatians 6:10: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Here are some practical ways to set a high bar of expectations:
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- Help individuals recognize and utilize their unique gifts within the church community. Numerous free spiritual gifts assessments are available online. Combining these results with a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities helps connect people to the roles where they can flourish and serve most effectively.
- Emphasize how individuals who say “yes” to joining a volunteer team directly contribute to transformative experiences. Share stories that illustrate not only the work of staff or church programs but also how volunteers play a significant role in someone’s faith journey. We want individuals to understand that if they are not serving, we are essentially playing a game without fielding an entire team. This will lead to gaps in our ministry strategy and effectiveness. In the context of the church, it’s a full participation scenario, not something we can delegate solely to the “professionals.”
- Integrate serving as a fundamental aspect of the discipleship pathway. The 10-week Rooted Experience (what I use) effectively models this by emphasizing serving in the local church as a crucial discipleship practice alongside prayer, daily devotion, generosity, and worship. Joining a volunteer team is one of the steps everyone is expected to undertake as they progress through Rooted.
These are just a few starting points to help your church become more volunteer-friendly. A great next step? Conduct a quick audit with your team. Ask: If I were new here, how easy would it be for me to get involved?
Remember, our volunteers are disciples, ministers, and culture-shapers for our church. Let’s honor their time, steward their gifts, and build churches where serving is both accessible and fulfilling.
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