Two years ago, it became painfully clear—we were short on ministry leaders. Like many others, our parish was still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. Volunteers hadn’t returned, roles were unfilled, and the same few people were carrying more than their share. I remember standing at the pulpit, making a heartfelt plea for help.
The response? Crickets. Or worse—comments like, “I’m too old for this” and “I have nothing in common with teens.”
Even though this wasn’t our first push for volunteers since the pandemic, it was clear there was a disconnect. It would be easy for me to say, "They just didn't get it," but the reality is we were inviting out of a sense of urgency with the expectation that we could get back to where we once were.
Building a culture of vibrant volunteers takes time. And while most of us know that, we also feel the pressure of needing help right now.
In the short term we need to:
People don’t rally behind vague needs. They rally behind clear problems and compelling visions.
So what is God calling your parish to do? Maybe it’s raising up a generation of faithful disciples. Maybe it’s creating a welcoming space for families. Maybe it’s building bridges to the disengaged or lonely.
And what’s the problem? Is it that kids are growing up disconnected from the Eucharist? That faith formation feels more like school than community? That your core team is stretched too thin?
When we clarify these two things—vision and problem—we give people something to say yes to that’s bigger than a volunteer slot.
Here’s the truth: your reach is limited. And sometimes the people serving alongside you don’t know they’re allowed to invite others.
Clarify that everyone can be a recruiter. Empower them by giving language they can use. Celebrate when someone successfully brings in a new volunteer.
And if someone’s too shy to ask? Get the names and numbers. Make the call yourself. I’ve done “referral outreach” before—calling someone who was mentioned in passing—and had some of my best volunteers come from that list.
Instead of asking them for the big commitment, ask them for one small need. It could be:
Serve pizza
Set up tables
Play a game
Pass out bulletins
Yes, you need more small group leaders, ushers, and long-term team members, but that might be too much to comprehend in the moment. Showing up one night or weekend to serve pizza, lead a discussion, or greet people at the door is an easier ask. Once they’ve dipped their toe in, follow up with: “Would you consider doing this again?”
In the long term, you are going to have to look at three areas:
ONBOARDING
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
If you simply throw people into ministry, and expect them to do nothing more than fulfill a task, you are missing the purpose of serving. As you build your ministry's culture, you need to identify the roadblocks and obstacles that make getting involved difficult. Address those items in your onboarding.
If you want longevity from your team, it's essential that they feel connected to others and have access to resources that will help them grow. If you oversee a ministry, one of your main priorities is to lead and invest in those who join the team.
In the short term, it's important to identify the need, ask others to help, and start small—but don't forget to look down the line. Don't be afraid to dream or think about what healthy ministry looks like. When you build a healthy and joyful culture, people will stay through the difficult times and return if they take a season away. With consistency you'll build momentum and quality—and be able to do the things that God has called you to do.
You don’t need more announcements. You need more invitations—and a culture that makes them stick.
Even with all of this, you might be thinking:
"I’ve already tried all of this."
Maybe you’ve asked for snack help, created roles, and made announcements—and still, no response. If that’s you, don’t give up. Consistency, not perfection, builds culture. Sometimes the seed you planted last year is just now beginning to grow.
"This sounds like more work for me as the leader."
That’s fair. Creating micro-roles, calling referrals, and leading onboarding can feel like extra weight. But here’s the shift: front-loading the work now prevents burnout later. Done well, culture starts to sustain itself—and your ministry grows without always needing you at the center.
"What if people say yes… and then ghost me?"
Yep, that’ll happen. But every ask builds a muscle. Expect drop-offs, but stay faithful. Keep asking, following up, and affirming those who follow through. Over time, faithfulness beats flakiness.
"How do I clarify a vision if I don’t feel like our parish has one?"
Start small. If your parish hasn’t articulated a clear mission, define the vision for your specific ministry. What’s your "why"? What’s the one thing you want to see God do through your team this year? That’s enough to invite others into something meaningful.
If you're looking for more real-time ideas, troubleshooting help, or practical tools to build your ministry team, you don't have to do it alone. As part of our Ministry2GO community, you get access to Open Office Hours where you can ask questions, swap strategies, and get encouragement from others doing the same work. Each month includes practical training and tools designed to help you lead with confidence—even when you're short on time and volunteers.
Want to take the next step?