TRAINING YOUR TEAM WHEN TIME IS TIGHT

Now that I’ve been out of parish ministry for a few months, I realize how much I miss seeing my volunteers. Sure, I’ll grab coffee with one or catch up over a meal with another—but what made ministry joyful wasn’t just the programs. It was getting to do it with others.

When people ask me, “Chris, how did you grow your team?” my answer has always been simple:

You prioritize them.

That doesn’t mean they were more important than the kids, teens, or parents—but if I didn’t invest in their formation and growth, I was limiting how many people we could truly impact.

If you’re feeling stuck when it comes to training your team—unsure about content, consistency, or even how to start—consider these three rhythms that made all the difference for me.

SUMMER TOUCHPOINTS: TRAINING THAT BUILDS MOMENTUM BEFORE FALL

One of my best summers in ministry wasn’t because of a big event or camp—it was because of six simple training sessions I hosted with my volunteer team. They were short (just 45 minutes), casual (coffee and conversation), and flexible (morning and evening options). We used them to go over vision documents like Renewing the Vision, reflect on youth culture trends, and build confidence in relational ministry.

The sessions didn’t build on each other, so someone could drop in without missing context. The real win? I had a better handle on who was returning in the fall, recruited new leaders earlier, and saw stronger commitment from those who participated. If no one came, I didn’t panic—I used the time to catch up and just kept inviting.

TRY THIS:

• Offer 4 casual sessions (2 morning, 2 evening)

• Frame them as “drop-ins,” not mandatory trainings

• Share a printed or emailed calendar in advance

• Invite both returning and prospective volunteers

• Don’t over-plan—focus on connection and clarity

Pro tip: If no one shows up, it’s not failure—it’s feedback. Tweak the time or format. The goal is to stay in touch and keep the momentum going.

CANCEL A MINISTRY NIGHT TO INVEST IN YOUR TEAM

We all feel the pressure to squeeze in every available moment with students—but sometimes the most important thing you can do is pause and invest in the people who make ministry possible.

Each year, I worked with my core team to pick four moments when we’d cancel a ministry night and instead gather as a team. These nights were carefully placed: right before kickoff, late fall, just after the holidays, and near Easter. We made sure they wouldn’t conflict with family schedules or interrupt the momentum of ministry.

We held the gatherings during our regular ministry time (same room, same time), so no one had to rearrange their lives. And we made it fun. Food (sometimes sponsored by Chick-fil-A), games, trivia, prizes—even reflective prayer and journaling. When the budget was tight, we got creative: potlucks, homemade desserts, and teens offering car washes or babysitting as door prizes.

Because these gatherings were longer, we had space to go deeper:

• Topics like difficult conversations with teens, partnering with parents, or casting vision

• Videos from Kara Powell, Brené Brown, or Doug Fields to spark reflection

• Small group discussions, lectio divina, and moments of quiet

I’ll never forget one night when the event ended—but no one left. Volunteers hung around, talking and laughing long after it was over. It felt like youth group for grown-ups. That’s when I knew: we had built community.

TRY THIS:

• Don’t train in isolation—invite your team into the process of scheduling and shaping these nights

• Reframe it: you’re not canceling ministry—you’re investing in it

• Focus more on belonging than information

• Create a shared experience your team will remember

BOOK CLUBS THAT SHAPE CULTURE

Some of the most lasting shifts in ministry culture started not in a staff meeting, but in a book.

When I found a book that deeply influenced my vision—like Growing Young or Divine Renovation—I’d buy copies for my team. I’d invite those who were interested to read it together, and we’d meet once a month with a few chapters at a time. It was low-pressure and optional, but it became a powerful way to align our thinking.

We’d create a group chat (GroupMe or WhatsApp) to share takeaways and prompts between meetings. Some people read. Some listened to the audiobook. Some just showed up and asked questions.

If someone fell behind, I’d just recap the main points and encourage them to keep going. It wasn’t about performance. It was about shaping how we saw our role and what kind of Church we were building.

TRY THIS:

• Choose a book that aligns with a change you're trying to lead

• Keep the commitment light: 1 chapter/week, meet monthly

• Use chat apps to keep the conversation going

• Frame it as an invitation, not an obligation

Reminder: Culture shifts when your team starts seeing the same picture—and books help you paint it.

BUILD YOUR OWN TRAINING RHYTHM

Whether you're full-time, part-time, or managing this whole thing as a volunteer yourself, the truth is: your team can grow stronger—without adding more to your plate.

Training doesn’t have to be another task. It can be a rhythm. A relationship. A simple check-in that keeps people connected and aligned.

If you’re looking for easy, ready-to-use training tools, Ministry2Go was made for you. Each month we release short videos, team discussion guides, and plug-and-play resources to help you form your volunteers on the go—without needing to schedule another meeting.