Get The Most Out Of Your Volunteers

Volunteers are key to the growth and health of your ministry.  It’s a challenge to recruit them and it’s another to get the most out of them.

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Providing trainings and workshops are important, but if you want your volunteers to give more you need to dig deeper.  To maximize their potential it goes beyond just giving them a role and extends to:

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR STRENGTHS

While your ministry has needs, it’s important to play to people’s strengths.  If possible find out a volunteer’s strength, and create a role that enhances them.

When someone serves in their strengths it will make everyone and everything around them stronger.  To figure out someone’s gifts make sure you sit down, and interview them.

GIVING THEM TERMS OF SERVICE

If people can see the finish line they’ll push harder.  When volunteers know they have an out they’ll make the most of the time they’ve committed to serving.

If you want them to serve longer you can provide vision, but avoid putting them in a situation where they feel trapped.  If they enjoy one year, you’ll find them signing on for another.  Break the journey up into pieces.

PROVIDING CLARITY ON THEIR PURPOSE

Not only do your volunteers need a clear role, they need to know why it matters.  Your vision, mission and values clarify that for your team.  Make sure you are repeating and discussing those topics as much as possible.

ENCOURAGING THEM CONSTANTLY

Youth ministry is grinding and that can be a brutal reality for your volunteers.  Make sure you spend time thanking, encouraging and cheering them on.  Be aware of highs and lows and remind them of their value.

CHALLENGING THEM TO GO OUTSIDE THEIR BOX

Do not let your volunteers play it safe.  Challenge them to take it to the next level by giving them ownership of a project and responsibility over others.

To help them go outside the box make sure they understand the vision. And remind them that failure is a learning experience.  If they feel empowered they’ll help you push boundaries.

KEEPING THEM CONNECTED IN COMMUNITY

Community is key to commitment.  If people see that they are a part of a bigger picture they’ll invest themselves not just in the vision but the others serving alongside of them.

Create events and opportunities for your ministers to grow with one another.  Promote idea sharing and even encourage them to do community outside of the regular program night.

The more you can get out of your volunteers the more they give to the church.  Remind them why they matter.  Thank them and brag on them.  When they know they matter they’ll commit more to the vision.