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Most small churches struggle with finding and developing volunteers. Current volunteers are stretched and new ones seem hard to come by. Have you taken steps to find a ministry partner for your area or to train your replacement? Sometimes finding just one can start a new trend in your volunteer culture. Instead of wondering why your pastor or ministry leader isn’t doing a better job getting more volunteers, here are a few steps you can take before partnering with volunteers. Keep reading for:
- 4 questions to ask and lists to make before inviting someone to help.
- Why it’s important to invite possible volunteers to check it out before asking for commitment.
- Tips to set volunteers up to succeed from the start.
There’s No Such Thing As Just A Volunteer
I’ve been getting the question, “I’m just a volunteer, what can I do?” a lot lately. To be completely transparent with you, I really don’t like the phrase just a volunteer because I’ve seen just a volunteer completely change the culture of a church. You know what I’m talking about if you’ve been in a small church. There are volunteers who show up and do so much behind the scenes. They are the ones cleaning the kitchen, making things shine, and taking care of the things that no one else really thinks to do or wants to take the time to do.
I want to encourage you to stop saying the phrase just a volunteer, because there’s no such thing, especially in a small church. It’s a little different in large churches, but either way, volunteers power the church.
How Do You Get Those In Charge To Start Partnering With Volunteers?
If you’ve followed me long enough, you probably already know the first point I will share is that you can’t get them to do anything, and it’s not your job. I encourage you to release yourself from that responsibility. It’s not your job to get the ministry leader or pastor to do anything. The only authority that God has given each of us is over ourselves.
Beyond sharing things with other people, what can you do to help change the volunteer culture at your church? It can be hard to find ways to help, find, equip, or develop other people as just a volunteer. However, it can be done. I believe that if you are in a small church, you really are an influence to everyone who crosses your path.
If you’re just a volunteer, I want to break down the steps of what you can do to help change the volunteer culture in your church, one step at a time!
How To Find And Better Equip Volunteers
The first thing you need to do when it comes to finding volunteers and equipping them better is to ask and get permission or support. I know there isn’t always someone in charge of your specific ministry area. If that’s you, then follow the steps we’re about to give to you. However, if there is a structure or some type of accountability put in place, be sure to reach out to them.
When you go to ask whoever is in charge, avoid asking them if you can start a whole new volunteer system in church. This isn’t the way to go. Instead, ask them if you can find a helper or someone you can train to be able to do what you do when you’re gone. I honestly don’t know too many pastors or ministry leaders who would say no to that!
4 Steps To Take Before Partnering With Volunteers
1. Decide And Commit To Setting Them Up For Success.
If your heart is in this, and you’re committed to seeing them succeed, this process will look a lot different than 90% of the other volunteer experiences you’ve had. What would it look like if, before you even ask someone to come and help, you’re completely committed to making sure they succeed? I encourage you to make a list of everything somebody would need in order to do this job well. What would they need to know? What small details would they need to know about your church structure and facilities?
We are all about developing and partnering with volunteers. To do this, we have to think about all the things they would need to know. Try your best to make sure that each person is fully equipped to succeed in the job you’ve set out for them.
2. Consider What Might Prevent Them From Being Excellent.
After making the list above, start making a list of obstacles that might come up that would prevent them from thriving in this job. This could include things like the training they would need, or whether or not they know how to do any of the tasks that you laid out before. This could also include any scheduling issues.
3. Find What Might Bring Them Joy.
It’s really important to be reminded of the joy. Make a big list of all the joy that can be found in that position. Try and find as many things as you possibly can. Fill up pages and lists. This is also gonna be something for them to look back on in times of hardship or struggle.
4. How Can You Best Support Them?
It’s always great to be reminded that you are and will be supported in the new role you’re taking on. Jumping into a new position can be scary at first! There’s so much to learn and do, and sometimes it can feel really overwhelming. However, if you laid out how you could support them, they would know that they had your support going into the position. How comforting is that?
You Just Created A Training Guide!
Now, don’t be scared, but after you filled out all of the lists above, you pretty much created a little training guide. You just took your first steps toward helping someone get started while pointing them toward a successful direction.
The Process Before Someone Commits To Your Team
There should never be a commitment before the following steps are taken. Firstly, when you invite someone to come and be a part of your ministry team, have them watch what you do. After they see what you do, walk them through a process of doing it together. Once they do it with you, try having them do it while you watch. Finally, have them do it themselves.
Keep in mind, this is not something that you just cross off the list. This is a process of making sure someone has everything they need to be successful.
You Are Not Just A Volunteer, You Are An Influence
When you think about this, who could you come alongside? Who could you set up to succeed? This process of recruiting, developing, and partnering with volunteers doesn’t need to be intimidating or unusual. This could become the norm for everyone in your church! Whether it’s greeting, coffee, tech, being on the worship team, or being involved in church maintenance, we all want to do well. So, dedicate yourself to setting people up for success, and remember that no one is just a volunteer. We are all an influence and have the chance to develop people, all because God created us for that.
Read More:
Church Volunteer Appreciation Ideas For Small Churches
How To Get Honest Volunteer Feedback – Small Church Ministry
