Next week our church is hosting our annual Vacation Bible School. While annual is technically correct, last year’s VBS was anything but typical. No children, teenagers, or adults were on our campus during VBS week. Those who registered were instructed to pick up boxes containing lessons, crafts, snacks, and a T-shirt. Videos with songs and stories were posted online. Parents had the option to use these resources as they desired. Ultimately, the moms and / or dads were in charge of leading VBS for their child(ren).
However, this year will be different. We’ve returned to our on-campus model for VBS. So far, over 100 children from kindergarten through 5th grade have registered for the week. With the additional anticipated walk-ups, we expect to be very close to our pre-COVID attendance for this annual summer event.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that we only have five adults who have committed to volunteering for the week.
Five.
That’s all.
While we have dozens of teenagers who have offered to help, sometimes they need just as much supervision as the younger participants. We desperately need more adults to volunteer their time for this week to be successful.
Like many churches, we have struggled with getting our formerly faithful, trusted volunteers to re-commit to their pre-COVID service. For a variety of reasons, they have been unwilling or unable to return to their former roles. There have been changes in their schedules, jobs, families, and, perhaps, a change in their level of commitment to the church.
I expect that our VBS challenges will be repeated as we prepare for fall programming. I’m hearing stories from other pastors who have the same concern. Families are ready to return to church. Volunteers, not so much.
Churches are volunteer-run organizations. Without volunteers, our ministries will not survive. How do we convince our members to serve?
- Show lots of grace. When you’ve been told “No” over and over, it’s easy to become sour and negative. Remember that this past year has been difficult for everyone. We really don’t know all that has happened in the lives of our church members. Your former volunteers may still be trying to get back on their feet financially. Or adjusting to the new normal of working from home. Or still feeling overwhelmed with the virtual school their kids attended this past year. Continue to gently remind these individuals that you’d love to have them serving on your team when they are ready.
- Recruit new blood. Some of us have stuck with the same tried and true volunteers for a long time. And with good reason: they are solid and faithful. We trust them. They are effective. However, perhaps we’ve failed to recruit and train new volunteers. If you’re a pastor, this is your primary calling (Eph. 4:11-12). Go to small group leaders and ask them for names of potential volunteers. Host a volunteer recruitment event. Look over the list of those who’ve joined your church in the last 18 months. You might discover individuals who would be more than happy to volunteer if someone would simply ask them.
- Sell the vision, not the need. Long gone are the days that Christians give of their time (or money) simply because they are “supposed to.” Duty is no longer the motivation it once was. Instead of talking about needs, highlight the vision for the ministry and how individuals can be a part of what God is doing.
- Rethink your ministries. One blessing of the COVID pandemic is that it has allowed churches the opportunity to start over. Ask your leaders which ministries are mission critical and which ones need to end? Perhaps you’ve been utilizing much of your volunteer manpower on programs that really aren’t bearing much fruit.
- Pray for God to raise up volunteers. Jesus instructed us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to the field (Matt. 9:38; Luke 10:2). Perhaps you need to spend more time talking to God about your volunteer needs.
Finding enough volunteers for our ministries has always been a challenge. COVID has simply exacerbated a longtime struggle. However, it’s forced many churches to evaluate how they recruit volunteers. As we make necessary changes, I believe our churches will be healthier in the long run.
