Every year we look to strengthen our team of volunteers. We need these men and women because they enable our staff to do more and reach more people. To keep our capacity growing we need to make sure we are constantly working to create a team like atmosphere.
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If you have a team of volunteers your ministry will grow. They’ll maximize your resources and stretch your influence. A great leader has a strong team, but to build it takes the right practices. In order to create a solid team you need to make sure you:
There should be camaraderie amongst your volunteer ministers. If they can rely on one another it will:
If volunteers feel included then they are more likely to commit to the ministry and the church.
The temptation is to recruit a warm body. While youth ministry is simple, it’s not for everyone. Create an interview process where you can get a sense of people’s gifts. Allow them to test out the ministry before committing. Getting the right people in place means knowing where people need to serve.
The wrong people are volunteers who have outlasted their stay or are serving outside of their gifts. If you keep them on they will tear your team apart. Either try them in a new role or ask them to try an entirely new ministry.
When you let go of someone make sure that you are not alone. Have someone sit with you to be a neutral party. Get to the point right away. Make it about helping them find the right fit instead. This way it doesn’t sound like you are criticizing them as a person.
When you know them personally they’ll trust you as a leader. Take them out for a bite to eat. Get to know their family and allow them to get to know yours. Learn about their likes and dislikes. Make sure they know that you see them as a person.
Doesn’t matter whether or not you pay them. Give them clear job descriptions. Create standards for them to strive towards. Offer reviews and give them responsibility. If they feel like paid staff, they’ll treat their ministry more seriously.
Youth ministry is a spiritual battle. Make sure your volunteers are growing as disciples as they grow other disciples. Encourage them to get in a small group. Give them tools to go deeper with Christ. If they can feed themselves spiritually they’ll last longer in your ministry.
Without vision your volunteers will have no purpose. They’ll see what they do as chaperoning or babysitting. Let them know why what they do matters so much. Give them vision and remind them of their mission. In the end you’ll see them take the ministry to an entirely new level.
If you invest in your volunteers you’ll not only create a solid team but you’ll build a solid ministry. Your volunteers are your advocates. They are your allies and if you treat them right they’ll be like family.
What else would you add to the list? Share your thoughts.