How To Create a Culture of Volunteering

How To Create a Culture of Volunteering

I’m convinced that any growing church will place a high emphasis on members being engaged in ministry. Gone are the days when a fabulous speaker and excellent music were enough to draw crowds to a large worship center. Really gone are the days when people would just show up on Sundays because it is their duty. 

Growing, healthy churches believe and practice the instructions found Ephesians 4: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… (Ephesians 4:11-12) 

Pastors of these churches are intentional about training and encouraging members to do the work of the ministry rather than trying to do it all themselves. 

They are willing to put in the extra work it often takes to teach the skills of fishing rather than simply catching all the fish themselves. 

They take seriously their calling to equip their members for ministry rather than just do the ministry.

And, they understand the much greater impact they will have on their community if they will invest and train others to do the work of ministry.

So, where do you begin? Here are a few suggestions, placed in the categories of “short-term” and “long-term” ideas for building a great volunteer ministry. 

Short-Term Actions to Build a Volunteer Culture:

1. Celebrate Volunteers 

• • Use videos in your worship services of volunteers serving in various ministry areas. Talk about the impact they make. 
  • Highlight the efforts of individual volunteers in your church newsletter.
  • Post pictures / videos / and stories of volunteers on social media.

2. Spoil Volunteers

• • Take volunteers to conferences and offer top-quality in-house training.
  • Host a volunteer appreciation event at least twice a year (Christmas / May).
  • NEVER ask volunteers to pay for the retreat, conference, etc.

3. Give Breaks to Volunteers

• • Find ways to offer breaks over summer / holidays. Perhaps all students come together for a “master teacher” Sunday School concept during the summer and grade-level teachers are offered some time off. 
  • Develop a deep bench so volunteers do not feel overwhelmed. 

• 4. Build Community Among Volunteers

• • Communicate often with volunteers: Use email / Group Me / Constant Contact / Planning Center
  • Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, births of children, etc. 
  • Host the occasional fun event for volunteers in a certain area. For example, take all the student ministry volunteers to play laser tag or to go bowling.

5. Offer “First Looks” / “Tag Alongs” 

• • Offer potential volunteers the opportunity to serve just one Sunday.
  • Offer short term opportunities (i.e., “just a 6 week need”).
  • Get volunteers to recruit other volunteers for one Sunday.
  • Never, ever say, “We don’t need you.” Find a place where they can serve.  

Long-Term Actions to Sustain a Volunteer Culture: 

1. Create the Right Expectations

• • Highlight the importance of members volunteering in your new member class.
  • Include language about volunteering in your membership covenant.
  • Teach your leaders on the importance of this principle. A great resource is Designed to Lead by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck. 
  • Preach often on the topic. Use the power of the pulpit!

2. Ensure your discipleship model works for volunteering

• • If possible, allow for multiple services and Bible study options so volunteers can serve without missing other important discipleship opportunities.
  • Be careful not to over-program your ministry. Allow space for volunteering. 

3. Turn Member’s “Suggestions” into Opportunities

• • “I think we need to….” Great, go do it.
  • Be willing to offer resources, but do not do the work.
  • Let them fail!
  • Encourage them to bring on other volunteers.
  • If they leave, do not automatically step in. If the ministry is vital, someone else will step up.

• 4. Set Expectations in On-boarding Volunteers

• • Develop a volunteer covenant. Use other volunteers to assist in crafting this document. 
  • Address acceptable / unacceptable behavior. As volunteers, they represent the church 24/7, including what they post, like, and share on social media.

5. Create Lots of Opportunities For Volunteers

• • Photographer for social media
  • Parking lot workers / greeters / safety team
  • Trash removal from grounds
  • Prayer walking