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Volunteer Series: Part 2
Intentionality goes a long way when it comes to recruiting new volunteers in small churches. Instead of rushing to find people to fill the gaps in volunteer positions, we’re going to go over how to get the right volunteers in the right places so that they end up serving in the best ways, knowing they’re making a difference. The steps we’re talking about in this series are about changing the culture in small churches, to go from lack and desperation to seeing needs met and having an incredible impact. Keep reading to learn:
- Mistakes to avoid when recruiting volunteers.
- Why people love samples at the grocery store and what that has to do with ministry.
- 6 simple steps to the brilliant invitation we all should have been practicing from the start.
- What no really means and what to do with it.
We are in the middle of a series that is all about volunteers. I recommend you start at the beginning just to keep these steps in order. One of the most common mistakes to avoid when recruiting volunteers is to start with recruiting instead of taking time to consider your beliefs about volunteers, the culture in your church, and identifying a bigger pool of people to invite. If you haven’t read about that yet, loop back at some point so that you don’t miss the introduction, as well as the first I of volunteering, to Identify volunteers.
Inviting Willing Volunteers
The second I is inviting volunteers. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is going to be the easy one. This is hard work. It is simple, but it isn’t a no-brainer, and most people do it wrong. However, if you do it the right way, you’ll effectively find long-term volunteers who will serve in the right positions, and for the right reasons.
How you ask people to serve is a crucial first step in creating a positive volunteer experience. Sadly, the way many churches ask to serve often ends up doing more harm than good. Not asking the right way is your fastest road to no’s that could have been yes’s. This also could result in yes’s that should have been no’s. Not asking in the right way can lead to burnout, bitterness, ineffective leadership, and even a high turnover rate.
7 Mistakes To Avoid When Recruiting Volunteers
1. Thinking an announcement is an invitation.
There’s a difference between an announcement and an invitation. If you’ve ever placed a need for volunteers in the bulletin or a sign-up sheet in the foyer, that is not an invitation. Have you ever received a graduation or wedding announcement? They aren’t invitations. Some people send these announcements to share good news or let people know about specific events. However, if you receive these announcements, that does not mean that you are invited to the ceremony. That’s the purpose of an announcement, it’s simply sharing information. An invitation, however, is personal. It’s important to use language that shows the person that they are valued and wanted.
Church announcements are great. Let people know of your need for volunteers. Sometimes, as a by-product, you actually do have someone call the number to volunteer or put their name on the list! Just keep in mind that an announcement isn’t an invitation.
2. Not identifying volunteers first.
Identifying volunteers first widens your pool of potential volunteers. It helps you uncover future volunteers in hiding. If you haven’t done this step, you’ll most likely end up asking the 20% who are already serving and busy.
3. Being desperate.
Please stop being desperate. You might feel desperate, but that’s not God. There is no reason to be desperate because there are so many creative options and solutions that no one has even tried yet! When you let yourself go to a place of desperation, your creative brain shuts down. You limit the amazing possibilities and the new solutions your brain would come up with. When you operate out of desperation, you’re actively shutting down your frontal cortex, which is the amazing part of the brain that is designed to find solutions.
There is no reason to be desperate. If the Bible is true, and God is real, then God’s got a better plan for you. God is your help. If you mess up, God will redeem it because He’s got us in His hands.
4. You’re asking people to serve at the wrong time and place.
This can easily be fixed, but it might not feel natural. In 99% of churches, recruiting happens on Sunday mornings or at a church event. This is a mistake that happens all the time. It happens so often, that it feels normal or natural, but it shouldn’t. Asking at worship or fellowship events not only skews the purpose of God’s people gathering, but it’s also rushed. Let’s refrain from looking for volunteers on Sunday morning and instead worship, and be in community with the people God intentionally surrounds us with!
5. Asking without framing the commitment with a time limit.
If there are no start and end dates, that communicates an eternal commitment. I know you’ve probably been there when you want to be done, but there’s no easy way out of a commitment. This leads to a lot of misunderstandings, and volunteers feeling trapped, burnt out, or bitter.
6. Asking for too much.
It’s okay to invite people to the edge of their comfort zone, to try something new, or even to take a risk, but you don’t want to throw them in the deep end without a life jacket! Don’t give people too much responsibility before they’re ready for it.
7. Getting distracted by the shiny object syndrome.
We’re really talking about shiny people, not shiny objects, but you’ll get the point. There are often people in your church who look amazing. This sometimes happens with a new person at church. They come in strong, they used to lead at their old church, and you can tell that they are a natural leader in ministry. You might even be willing to create a position just for them or to shift your ministry vision. This is a red flag.
I’m not saying that they are a red flag, but the red flag I’m talking about is you. It’s about you looking to them as a solution instead of believing in God. A new, shiny person is not the answer. He or she might be a part of the solution, but maybe not. Keep in mind, that it’s often easier to teach a servant to lead than a leader to serve.
The Key to Fixing These Mistakes
There are two asks in the process of getting volunteers. The first one is the invitation to come and see the ministry. The next one is an official ask to serve in a specific capacity, to involve them in the ministry. The first one is what we are going to focus on today. Inviting someone to come and see is followed by a conversation. This invitation is what we are covering now. This invitation to come and see should always proceed to recruit a volunteer to serve.
For example, let’s say an experienced educator has recently joined your church. Most churches immediately invite them to teach, but this is a mistake. They’ve never seen what you do, they haven’t met your kids, or even seen your written values. Rather than immediately asking them to teach, I suggest you invite them to come and see what you do. Visit a class! Afterward, create a guided conversation. Ask them what they saw or what they liked. Answer any questions they may have. You could even ask what would make the class better, or what they would contribute to the team. This conversation comes before inviting them.
4 Steps to Invite People
1. Set up a time to talk.
This can be done in person or over the phone. Keep in mind, that this is not done on a Sunday morning, on the fly. This could happen on the phone, in person at a coffee shop, or even in a church building. The important thing to remember is that this needs to be a pre-planned conversation. Intentionally set aside a time and place. You could simply ask “Hey, would you have a minute to chat about something awesome? I had a thought and wanted to run it by you.”
2. During the conversation, you’re going to do 3 simple things.
First, describe what you see in that person, as an individual. Why do you specifically want to work with them? Then, let them know that they can make a difference. Tell them how they can impact the kids and the community. It’s not just that you think they’d be good at it, it’s linking them to the mission. The third thing you want to do is offer a sample. This will minimize risk and decrease the fear in that person. Ask them to come and see what you do. This isn’t a commitment or a job, it’s a sample of what they could potentially get involved in.
3. Have another conversation.
This is not a conversation about whether they want to serve or not. Ask questions like: “What do you think?”, “What did you enjoy?”, “Is it different than you thought?” Could you see yourself being part of the team?”, “What might you enjoy?”, and “What would be hard or scary for you?”
4. Think about it, and set a time to loop back.
Keep in mind that this still isn’t an ask to serve, because you don’t have an involvement step yet. There’s a pause. If the ‘come and see’ and the conversation after it seems to lead to a possible fit, here’s the next step. Ask them to think about it, and consider being involved. No matter what, you need to pause, pray, and consider. It’s too easy to get desperate or to jump too quickly.
What you are doing is valuable, and taking a day or two to consider it shows that it’s worth your time. They also need a pause. It’s easy to say yes because of excitement or no because of fear. This pause just slows the process and shifts it from being thoughtful rather than desperate. Jesus was never rushed, and we shouldn’t be either.
What No Means & Why it’s Not Always What We Think
When someone says no, it could mean that they live a life of priority and that they are wise. They might know better than you and might be able to recognize that it isn’t a good fit for them. ‘No’ could also mean that there was a problem with the way you asked them. You could’ve asked them when they couldn’t think straight, or you didn’t give them enough time to consider it. ‘No’ could even mean that they are answering from past experiences.
This could mean that they don’t trust what you’re saying. It’s also important to recognize that their no could mean that they don’t like you or trust your leadership. Most of us assume that when someone tells us no, that means it’s about us or that there’s something wrong with us. The word no can often feel very personal. However, the truth is, more often than not the answer is about them, and not about you.
Commitment Isn’t The Issue
The reason I didn’t include that no might mean that they aren’t committed to God or the church, is because I don’t believe that’s the reason people say no. It may be true that they don’t prioritize serving or the church, but the core of it is that people get to choose their priorities. People aren’t under-committed because they don’t share the same priorities as you. Instead of labeling people as uncommitted to God, let’s recognize that that is their current choice. They are choosing what they want and don’t want, and it’s okay that their priorities are not currently your priorities. We need to honor their choices.
People are never too busy, they are just choosing their priorities. We need to allow people to be on their journey, and to trust them to grow or not. It’s their choice. Yes, we can and should give them opportunities, build relationships, and offer sound teachings and development opportunities. However, in the end, we are all responsible for our own lives and journey. People are allowed to make their choices, and God is the one who sets them up that way. We need to stop trying to change the system He set up.
Allowing people to be autonomous will lead to building better relationships. Trusting that people are learning on their own journey and that they are doing their best, is a beautiful thing. You are only in control of yourself. This is from God, not me!
Just Start With An Invitation
I want to remind you to do you well. Grow in your own skill. Grow in being a good friend, a godly leader, and an influence. Respect the choices of others, and honor them in their journey. Please, stop taking so many things as personal affronts. You could do everything right and not grow a church. In the end, everyone makes their own choices, so celebrate that. If you honor and celebrate the choices of others, watch what happens with your relationships!
So, how can you apply these steps to your week? Who’s on your list to invite? What do you do in ministry that you could invite someone to come and see? After identifying possible future volunteers in your church, this is the next step. Invite someone to come and see!
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