With over twenty years of experience in lay ecclesial ministry, you’d think I’d have it all figured out. But one key lesson I’ve learned is this: while I’m great at recruiting leaders, I’m not always the best at empowering them.
When I started at my current parish, we held our youth ministry gatherings on Sunday nights. I needed my volunteers to arrive 30 minutes before the teens to assist with set-up. As someone who always likes to be ready early, I could never wait for my volunteers to show up, so at about an hour before teens arrived I would start the set-up. What happened?
My team started to feel like they weren't needed. They would show up later and later until one day I noticed they were coming right when the teens arrived. When I lamented to one of my team leaders she called me out on my behavior. She said, "Chris, you say you want us here early to help, but there was nothing to help with, you did it all yourself." Instead of empowering my team to take responsibility, I had diminished their ability to serve and help me out.
The truth is, empowering leaders is hard, but it's not impossible. It's something we as leaders need to work at changing our behaviors. Over the years I've learned, that if you want to build and empower a ministry team it:
Start with a Clear Vision
Why should someone give their time to your ministry? Whether it’s to grow closer to God, impact the next generation, or connect with others in faith, people need to understand the “why” behind what they do. Without this clarity, volunteers can become frustrated or disengaged.
I prioritize sharing the bigger picture with my team in several ways:
- Celebrate wins: When a parent or teen shares positive feedback, I pass it along to show the impact of their efforts.
- Communicate goals: Before a new season or series, I explain what we aim to achieve and why it matters.
- Individual check-ins: I meet with volunteers to hear their experiences and reconnect them to our mission.
When your team knows the “why,” their commitment deepens.
Train Volunteers Like Pros
Healthy ministries need growing leaders. If you want a team that can troubleshoot, think creatively, and handle challenges, you need to invest in their training.
At Marathon Youth Ministry, we developed Ministry 2 Go, a resource for equipping volunteers. Not every volunteer will exceed their original commitment, and that’s okay. But for those who do, the return is invaluable—not only for your ministry but for the Church as a whole. Some might even go on to parish council or ministry leadership roles, creating a pipeline for the Church’s future.
Build a Culture That Inspires
A thriving ministry team isn’t just skilled; it has a shared culture. Your team should create an environment where young people and their families feel welcomed and challenged to grow. This requires recruiting people who embrace your ministry’s values, not just those with strong resumes.
A healthy team:
- Prays together
- Shares life together
- Grows in faith and ministry together
When your team lives these principles, it becomes easier to attract and retain the right people.
Empower, Don’t Micromanage
Ministry isn’t meant to be carried by one person. If you’re a leader, your role is to coach, mentor, and equip others to lead. By empowering your team and trusting them with real responsibility, you’re not just building a program—you’re building the Church.
So, what's holding you back? Where do you need to grow? Is it vision, training, or culture, where you could grow in empowering your team? Choose one step to take this week, whether it’s sharing the “why” behind your ministry, scheduling a one-on-one with a volunteer, or creating a plan to invest in training. Because the more you build your team, the more people you can reach for Christ.