Do Your Volunteers Feel Value?

I used to get frustrated with my volunteers. They would show up each week, get the task done and then head home. They were doing what was asked of them, but I wanted more. There was a period when I was decent at recruiting volunteers, but building them into leaders was a whole different challenge. Because of my frustration, I came off ungrateful, and when people sensed my lack of gratitude, they did not stick around. But, the problem was not them.

The problem is that I was not showing my team their value. My expectations of what they could do were low, my desire for control was strong, and I didn’t have time to help people figure it out. Fortunately, I had some people come alongside to help me change. I learned from their example that if you want your team to do more than show up, you have to give them value. And the way you provide value to your volunteers is by:

SHOWING THEM THE NARRATIVE

Why is serving in the local church different than serving in the local community? For those of us who are passionate about the local church, we know it’s a part of our Baptism. And the idea that we are participating in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is exciting because it means we are a part of a dynamic narrative.

As leaders in the local church, we have to help the faithful see the big picture. To share the big picture means telling stories of life change; it’s talking about what could happen if everyone was living out their baptismal call. Sharing the big picture means creating a narrative that you tell at meetings, talks, and in conversations. Because everyone seeks to be a part of something bigger, they’ll engage further when you introduce them to the larger narrative of serving in ministry.

GIVING THEM KEYS TO LEADERSHIP

While many of us want our volunteers to do more, we often hold back from giving them the responsibility. Giving your team the keys to leadership means handing over some decision-making and allowing them to take the ministry to the next level. Giving your team the keys to leadership so that they can drive is a scary concept, and that’s why it’s essential to build trust.

The trust first has to happen between you and God. Do you trust that the people you are surrounded with came because of a prompting that God placed in their hearts? Do you trust that if your volunteers fail that you’ll be able to coach them up pastorally? It’s critical to know that handing over the keys isn’t simply getting out of the way but mentoring and guiding someone to share in the responsibility of growing the ministry.

COACHING THEM UP

Most of your volunteers lack ministerial experience, which means someone has to form them. As the ministry leader, it’s essential to provide your volunteers with quality materials, resources, and mentoring to empower them to serve confidently. You might wonder, “But what do I teach them?”

The four pillars of formation are a great place to start: spiritual, pastoral, human, and intellectual. Provide your leaders with materials to help them learn more about serving in the Church. Give them opportunities to pray and deepen their faith in God. And don’t be afraid to teach them, just as you would with kids, teens, or adults going through RCIA.

When your leaders are competent in the faith, they will have confidence in teaching others. Your investment will show them that you care about their success in serving. When you coach up, you’ll not only see the confidence grow but their willingness to pay it forward.

AFFIRMING THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Your volunteers, just like anyone else, need affirmation. They are amateurs, un-paid, and questioning their abilities to make an impact. As a leader, you not only have to encourage them but show them how they are making a difference in the narrative you’ve been sharing.

When you witness a life change because of something a volunteer did, please give them a shout-out or send them a little thank you note. Help your volunteers see their value by pointing out what is working and how their presence makes a difference. Not only will your volunteers appreciate the gratitude, but it will bring the entire team together.

Your volunteers want to know that they matter, and they need to see that the sacrifice they are making is worth it and a part of their formation. As leaders, we have to continue to share the larger purpose of what they do with them. It is critical to give them more than a task to accomplish. Keep showing them their value, and what the Church gets in return is priceless.

In what ways do you help your volunteers see the value of what they do?