The Sunday morning catechists weren’t showing up. The Director of Faith Formation told me, “I don’t understand. I email them every week and have all the materials prepped, but they bail on me last minute or don’t even show up.”
I asked her about the time she spends with her team outside of Sunday mornings, and there was a pause. She then asked, “You mean, do we have meetings?”
I said that while meetings are essential, it is necessary to find ways to connect with your team beyond the time they serve so that they know what’s going on and, most importantly, THEY FEEL VALUE
When it comes to building a team of committed and engaged volunteers, how you treat them matters because each one of them knows that what they are doing is more than toilsome work. To show your volunteers value:
Most people step up to serve because they want to make a difference or be a part of a team. The men, women, and teens that serve in your ministry are willing to make a sacrifice of time and convenience. And while sacrifice is good, you don’t want it to become a burden.
To ease the burden of serving, you need to address the sacrifice. For example, providing child care for volunteers during a meeting or training helps them save time and money from finding a babysitter. Or you could make sure your team has food they can grab so they aren’t rushing to eat dinner before they come to your program.
It doesn’t have to be anything significant, but showing them that you know what they have to give up to serve the Church is a sign of God’s love. It’ll create confidence and trust, which can go a long way.
Your volunteers are more than a warm body; they have families, hobbies, dreams, and challenges. You are spending some time learning about the most important things to your volunteers. It’ll help you navigate situations where they have to take time off to care for someone. You might discover an opportunity in your ministry that fits a dream of theirs. Get to know your team as individuals and find ways you can minister to them.
To get to know your team, find time during the weeks to call them up or meet for a bite to eat. At meetings, incorporate ice breakers where they share something meaningful and personal. You don’t have to be friends with your entire team, but knowing who they are will create a strong bond among everyone who serves.
I have a stack of thank you cards I like to send out each week thanking volunteers for something unique or extraordinary I saw them do. It’s a small gesture, but it shows that I’m willing to take the time to reflect on their contribution. Thanking your team is critical, and whether it’s an email, card, or gift, letting them know that they did something you value is vital. When volunteers know that you care about them, they’ll care about you.
Most people serve because they want to make a difference; however, some are looking to do something more. Your job as a ministry leader is not to run programs but to empower the faithful to live out their baptismal mission. To do that effectively means giving your volunteers responsibility and ownership of the direction of the ministry.
To pass over ownership, you need to delegate responsibility and find ways of investing in their leadership potential. If you are unsure where to start, begin by sharing resources like an online article, book, or podcast for discussion; if you have the budget take them to a workshop or conference. Take them on a retreat or find time to pray with them. Help them grow as disciples to help others grow as well.
It might seem like a lot to show your team value; however, what you put in will come back as a blessing in so many different ways. Before you get lost in program planning and curriculum development, look at how you can show your gratitude and commitment to your team so that they know what they do matters to advancing God’s kingdom.