The shipment had finally arrived! As I pulled out the books, with their shiny new covers and I believed all my problems would be solved. Finally, I had found a curriculum that would help my volunteers change lives.
A few months later most of my volunteers were either not using it or not using it well. I didn’t understand and I wondered why they were struggling. The problem wasn’t the books, it was their leader.
There is more to formation than information. You need the right people with quality tools to take the next generation on a deeper journey. To find the right people you need to:
Do you know what type of leader you need? Do they have a sense of humor? Are they better listeners than talkers? To help you find the right people you need to understand the characteristics and values that thrive in your ministry.
Have the conversation with your core team (If you don’t have one sit down with some coworkers) to discuss the feel of your ministry. If you were to personify your ministry what type of characteristics would it have? In other words what makes the ministry unique?
Next, spend time writing out a job description for your volunteers. Think about what you want out of them and what meaningful interactions look like. The clearer with who you want the easier it will be to identify who you should ask and how to invite them.
An onboarding process allows you to identify people’s gifts so that you can put them in the right place. If recruiting a large group of people:
Even if you are recruiting people one at a time make sure you move through the process prudently. While you might need people in the short term you want them to stay for the long one and that means right people in the right places.
In addition to putting them in the right place you want to equip them with the right tools and resources. To do that you need to:
How many times do you train your leaders? Is it just at the beginning as you are getting ready for another year? Are you just sending them books and podcasts hoping they’ll absorb and use the information like you did?
Ongoing formation of our leaders is something we need to do consistently. The pushback is the guilt we feel from asking them to show up an additional night. But, instead of having them come another day cancel 4 youth gatherings a year and replace them with formation opportunities for your leaders.
While there is a variety of topics to cover try to focus these trainings on two areas:
RELATIONAL MINISTRY – You want your leaders knowing how to engage people in conversation, listen to their needs and help them solve problems.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT – To grow disciples you need to be growing as one yourself. Help your leaders in their faith journey so that they can share that with others.
Use the opportunity to help them learn how to lead others. Give them exercises and make them fun. The more your leaders learn the stronger their impact will be.
Successful ministry comes from serving as a community. You have people to help you process ideas, work through difficult times and challenge you to keep your commitment.
Create community amongst your team by inviting them to hangout beyond the regular program times. Maybe that’s grabbing some appetizers after a youth night or meeting for breakfast after Mass on Sunday.
Affirm relationships that are formed between volunteers and help people to really bond. The culture that will form is contagious and will positively impact the people they serve.
What you teach your kids and teens is essential, but it will fall short if your leaders aren’t prepared to share it. While a textbook, or instructional video might help it isn’t enough. Form your leaders so you can impact the next generation.
If you need further assistance in recruiting, training and forming your team set up a free consultation today by clicking HERE.
What tools or resources have you found successful in forming your leaders?