How to Celebrate and Highlight Your Church Volunteers

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our churches, making ministry possible in big and small ways. Whether they’re greeting guests, leading small groups, running tech during services or serving the community, their dedication is essential to the church’s mission.

In a fast-paced, digital-first world, finding fresh, meaningful ways to recognize and appreciate volunteers is more important than ever.

One great way to celebrate your volunteers (and maybe recruit a few more for the fun!) is through a Volunteer Spotlight. This not only affirms and celebrates those who are currently serving but also encourages a culture of generosity and participation in your congregation and community. 

Here are some impactful ways to highlight your volunteers in 2025!

5 Ways to Spotlight Your Volunteers 

1. Social Media Features: Share volunteer stories through short-form videos, Instagram Reels, TikToks or carousel posts on Facebook and Instagram. Keep it engaging with fun facts, personal testimonies and behind-the-scenes moments.
2. Sunday Morning Recognition: Incorporate volunteer appreciation into your worship services with video highlights or live shoutouts. Consider a “Volunteer of the Month” moment on screen or in pre-service slides.
3. Church Email: Spotlight a different volunteer each month in your church’s email newsletter. This is a great way to show appreciation while keeping your congregation connected.
4. Website & Blog Spotlights: Create a dedicated space on your website where visitors can read about the incredible volunteers who serve your church. Short blog posts, video interviews or even a “Meet Our Volunteers” page can help inspire others to get involved. (Plus this is a great way to connect newcomers to the real people of your church and, hopefully, calm some of those first-time visitor nerves.) 
5. In-Person Recognition: Set up a physical “Wall of Impact” in a high-traffic area of your church, featuring photos and stories of volunteers. Digital kiosks or screens can also rotate stories to highlight even more people.

How to Gather Great Volunteer Stories

To make this process simple and effective, use digital tools like Google Forms, Typeform or email to collect volunteer stories.

Ask questions that go beyond their role, such as:

• Why did you start serving, and what impact has it had on your faith?
• What’s your favorite memory from volunteering?
• How has serving helped you build relationships within the church?
• What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?

Encourage volunteers to submit photos or short video clips of them serving, which makes their stories more personal and engaging. If possible, coordinate with your church’s photography or media team to capture high-quality images of volunteers in action. 

Encouraging Others to Serve

Every Volunteer Spotlight should include an invitation for others to join in! At the end of each feature, add a call to action, such as:

Would you like to make an impact like [volunteer’s name]? There’s a place for you on our team! Sign up to serve at [insert church website or link].

Why It Matters

Volunteers don’t serve for recognition, but a culture of gratitude strengthens community, fosters connection and encourages more people to step into service. By intentionally celebrating those who give their time and talents, we create a church culture where serving is joyful, meaningful and contagious.

Thank you, volunteers. Your faithfulness makes a difference every day! If you are interested in more conversation around volunteer strategies, reach out to us. We’d love to connect!