5 Qualities Every Adult In Your Ministry Needs

It was a Friday afternoon, and my phone was ringing. I don’t typically get calls from volunteers on a Friday, but something told me to pick up. It was Ed, one of our older volunteers, a small group leader for sixth-grade boys. I could sense some excitement in his voice when I answered the phone. He said, “Chris, I have some cool games for our small group this Sunday, I don’t want to take away from the subject, but I think my guys will like them.”

I laughed, told him it was perfectly fine and that I’d see him at the program Sunday. While Fridays are my day off, I wasn’t annoyed by the interruption because Ed was showing qualities that I admire in a leader. He is enthusiastic and creative.

If we are desperate for volunteers, we can make the mistake of recruiting the wrong ones. A large part of a successful youth ministry is having the right people on your team. While each parish is different five qualities that I look for in each of my volunteers are men and women who:

LIVE JOY FILLED LIVES

Negativity can be a slow poison that drains the enthusiasm out of your ministry. A volunteer who is constantly critical of the teens, their parents, and even the church can create an array of unnecessary issues. Negative attitudes can spread gossip and create a divide amongst people. But, the worst impact it will have is detracting teens.

When teens walk into your ministry, they need to meet joy-filled people because they are all asking the question, “Does anyone care that I’m here?” A smiling face and a warm welcome will affirm their presence. A joyful volunteer is someone whose optimism can help solve problems and bring hope.

To cultivate a joy-filled culture, do fun things with your team. Spend time getting to know what they like and love. Celebrate what happens in their personal and ministry lives, and be sure to show gratitude.

OPEN THEMSELVES UP TO NEW LEARNINGS

Leaders are learners. It’s a phrase that’s commonly used but consistently forgotten. You want people on your team who are open to feedback and have a desire to get better at what they do. To nurture that environment, introduce them to books and podcasts. Bring them to workshops and conferences.  Invest in them, so they know how to invest in their faith.

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM

A team that works together can accomplish more because ideas are shared and challenged. If you have people who only show up to do a task, they aren’t going to help create a relational ministry. To create a community, you need to lead the charge. Gather your team for some fun events that involve collaboration (e.g., escape room) or at your next meeting incorporate a team-building activity (e.g., Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge)

LISTEN FIRST AND SPEAK LAST

We tend to talk down to teens when we should be encouraging them to ask questions, process thoughts, and dig deeper. You want leaders in your ministry who listen to the teens in their ministry so that they know how to serve them better. While we have important things to say, it’s important to show the teens that you care about what is on their hearts and mind. For a great video on empathy, check this out HERE.

HAVE CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF THEIR EFFORTS

Your volunteers don’t have to be perfect, but they should have a passion for their faith. Even if they cannot articulate what they believe, they should be looking at ways to deepen it. To help your team have a heart for Christ to pray with them. Share with them the resources that help you grow and make their spiritual growth a priority.

If you want a healthy ministry, you need to have healthy leaders. Don’t ask people to get involved without investing in their growth. Name those characteristics you want, look for them in others, and build opportunities to help them grow.

What do you think are essential characteristics of a healthy volunteer for your ministry?

Need assistance with building a team of volunteers? Check out our Building a Dynamic Team Of Volunteers Course available for MYM U Members.

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