I was sweating through everything. It was a little embarrassing, but I always kept a spare t-shirt in my office. This was no special project I was working on, I was doing what I did every week and set-up tables and chairs for our youth ministry program. While I had a team who could have come slightly earlier to help me, I felt as if I was asking enough of them already.
At first, it feels noble. You’re being a servant. You’re stepping up. You’re making sure your team is set-up for success; however, at what cost? Over time, that mindset slowly erodes your energy, clarity, and joy. It becomes isolating, exhausting, and ultimately unsustainable.
THE LIE WE TELL OURSELVES: "I’LL JUST DO IT."
Most ministry leaders don’t set out to do everything. But when people flake, timelines crunch, or no one volunteers, it’s easier to take it all on than explain, train, or ask again. Before long, "I’ll just do it" becomes your default.
But here’s the truth: You’re not supposed to do this alone.
When St. Paul wrote about the Body of Christ, he wasn’t offering a nice metaphor. He was laying out a vision of mutual reliance and shared gifts. If you’re doing everything, you’re denying others the chance to discover their part in the Body.
WHO HAS GOD ALREADY PLACED IN YOUR LIFE?
Take a moment and ask: Who are you underutilizing right now? Not in a manipulative way—but in a spiritual sense. Who has God already placed around you that could carry part of the mission?
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Who always asks, "How can I help?"
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Who naturally encourages or affirms you?
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Who consistently shows up, even in small ways?
They might not fit your mold of a "perfect volunteer," but they might be exactly what your ministry needs.
WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Sometimes we have to get creative with who we ask and what we ask them to do. While not everyone can commit weekly, there are a few responsibilities you can delegate that'll create margin you never knew you needed. For example:
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Prayer Teams: Don’t underestimate the power of people committed to praying for your ministry. You don’t have to meet in person—just invite a few people to intercede each week.
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Retirees: They often have time, wisdom, and perspective. Invite them into roles of mentorship, hospitality, or logistics.
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Parking Lot Parents: The ones who wait during youth group or drop off for faith formation? Tap into that margin. Invite them to greet, prep snacks, or even just build community.
Use these opportunities as stepping stones to future leadership positions. When you have people serving out of their capacity, they build confidence, and then with the confidence comes the ability to do more.
SIMPLE STEPS: HOW TO NAME, ASK, AND EMPOWER A PARTNER
Sometimes the biggest challenge is not finding the people but figuring out how to get them to say, "Yes!" The problem is that there is no silver bullet, but there are steps you can take to recruit people to partner up:
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Name the Need Clearly: Instead of saying, "Can you help?" say, "Would you be willing to arrive 15 minutes early each week to greet families and offer a warm welcome?"
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Connect to the Mission: Explain why it matters. "You’d be the first face people see—it sets the tone for the whole experience."
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Start Small: Don’t ask for a year-long commitment. Ask for a trial month, or one event.
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Follow Up: Thank them. Debrief. Ask what they enjoyed or found challenging. People grow when they’re seen and supported.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Take five minutes right now. Think of one person you need to invite into deeper partnership this season.
Write their name down.
Then ask yourself: What would a simple, clear invitation sound like?
You don’t need a full leadership team overnight. Just one more person who believes in the mission and is willing to take a step.
You’re not supposed to do it all. And the good news is—you don’t have to.
Need help thinking through how to build your team? Ministry2Go offers practical tools, training videos, and real-time support through Open Office Hours. Click HERE to learn more.