We’ve written a lot of content on volunteers. We’ve given you ideas on how to celebrate, spotlight and care for them. But how can your church invite more people into volunteer opportunities?
The answer can be found in your church's posture toward volunteer recruitment. Are you motivated to fill a volunteer need that makes an event or ministry work? Or are you motivated to give your brothers and sisters in Christ a chance to grow in faith? This difference can be subtle, but it is the most important factor in recruiting volunteers.
Here are some tips for building healthy volunteer teams at your church.
Communicate Why
Asking people to volunteer is a big deal. For most people, it’s a vulnerable and time-consuming commitment. So, be sure to share details that focus on the impact they can have if they say yes.
Remind them of the church's mission and vision first. Then, focus on the specific ministry they will be serving in and explain the impact they will have as a volunteer.
Identify Needs
Doing a general call for volunteers can sometimes feel more about quantity than quality. Instead, conduct an assessment of where the need is greatest and specifically ask for people who are willing to step into those volunteer roles. Connect the need to the real people they will be serving.
As leaders, you probably already have a list of people in mind that you think will be great for a particular volunteer role. Making a personal ask to these people will always be more impactful than a general announcement from the stage.
Give Easy Next Steps
Have a simple place people can go to read more about your volunteer opportunities. Include the estimated time commitment and skills needed for each role. And most importantly, give them a low-barrier way to raise their hand to volunteer. A simple form or email address for a staff member is a great start.
Having both in-person and online opportunities for people to register as a volunteer is helpful in reaching all different types of personalities. Remember, some people will never step forward if they have to go to a connection desk to make themselves known, but a serve landing page and form on your website might be the perfect fit.
Share Stories
Celebrating your volunteers and sharing their stories is one of the most powerful things you could do to recruit others. Focus these stories not only on the impact the volunteer is having on your church, but also how they’ve grown or changed since becoming a volunteer.
Stories are the most impactful way to communicate a need because they speak directly to the heart. It is also a great way to celebrate the people who have faithfully served for years on end. Read more about how you can spotlight them here!
There are very few places in the world where large groups of people come together to support and champion the same cause. Your volunteer team is a beautiful reminder of the family of God we are all a part of! Remember, when you’re recruiting volunteers, it’s not just about the support they will provide your church. It’s also about how your church builds and stewards this thriving community of people.
Building healthy volunteer teams will help you and your church to be more effective. But more importantly, it will help people take tangible steps of faith in their relationship with Jesus. That is where we start to make a Kingdom impact!
