“I don’t want to leave.” I could tell she was surprised by the time she was having at the retreat and was second thinking about leaving early. I told her that it was okay, but next time I’d remind her of this moment so that she’d sign up to serve the whole weekend.
I love when volunteers get something out of the ministry, it’s an unexpected gift that they more than deserve. At the same time while they should get something out of serving, I need to remember to continuously express my gratitude because volunteers sacrifice so much for us.
And, most of us do appreciate our volunteers, but the question we have to answer is, “Do our volunteers know that we value them?”
If you aren’t sure here are a few signs:
Basically, people who feel valued will value others. They’ll commit further to the ministry because they will develop trust and loyalty to your leadership. If you need to show more value or are looking for ways to build up your investment try:
Don’t skimp on the snacks. When you host a volunteer training, or meeting get food that is fun and quality. My team loves when I do a taco bar. When we have small snacks I go beyond the regular potato chips. It sounds simple and that’s because it is, but don’t underestimate the power of food.
If a volunteer is in a rush to get to your meeting they are going to skip dinner. A great snack can take away a bad day. The right food can break the ice, get people in the mood and more relaxed for your meeting. Feed their stomachs so that you can also feed their minds.
One of the reasons we struggle with managing our volunteers is because we don’t know the challenges they are facing in life. If they have a sick relative or a busy schedule committing to the program might be difficult. If you know those challenges you’ll be able to work with them.
At the same time knowing their goals and dreams is just as important. You can celebrate with them when they accomplish a difficult feat. You might know how to help them achieve what they are after. They only way you are going to know what they face on a day to day basis is by listening to their story.
Don’t be afraid to take 10 minutes after a night of ministry to chat. Invite them out for a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Challenge yourself to learn 2 or 3 things that are unique to them and ask them about it.
Conferences, books, podcasts, and your budget are all tools that you can use to help your volunteers grow. Just like your time, a portion of what the church spends should be focused on developing leaders. And if you don’t have a budget get creative and:
They’ve sacrificed for you, and sometimes it’s not so bad to make one back for them.
Telling them about the vision is essential because it gives them a clear picture of where you want to go. But, do you give them permission to speak into the vision? Do they have your permission to challenge you and ask questions? They might not want to change your mind on what it is you are called to do, but they can help you clarify it. Just make sure you are intentional with that invitation.
Volunteers that feel valued by your actions are going to stick around. How you interact and work with them is more important than what you ask them to do. That’s because we all want to be known, connected in community and a part of something big.