You finally get someone to say yes to serving in ministry. They start strong—full of enthusiasm, showing up on time, engaging with kids or teens.
And then, a few months in… they start missing meetings. A little while later, they stop responding to emails. And before you know it, they’re ghosting you like a bad dating app match.
Sound familiar?
Volunteers don’t burn out because they’re lazy or uncommitted. They burn out because they’re not being set up to thrive.
THE VOLUNTEER WHO DISAPPEARED
I had a volunteer who was incredible. She co-led a small group of middle school girls, and they loved her. The group grew from six to fifteen in a matter of weeks.
But by the end of the year, she disappeared. No responses to emails. Calls went to voicemail. I’d see her at church, but every conversation was, “Sorry, Chris, I gotta go…”
Finally, I caught up with her and asked what was going on.
She said, “Chris, I’m so sorry. It got to be too much last year. The group was great, but I can’t do that again.”
It hit me—I had assumed she could handle it. But enthusiasm without boundaries leads to burnout.
CREATING A CULTURE WHERE VOLUNTEERS STICK AROUND
A healthy volunteer culture isn’t just about avoiding burnout—it’s about creating an environment where people thrive. That means:
Clear expectations. Volunteers need to know what’s expected of them and how to succeed. Sometimes that's putting together a small job description, or building in an orientation for people who are new. It might feel excessive to incorporate those aspects, but it'll save you some headaches in the future.
Ongoing support. Regular check-ins, training, and encouragement keep them engaged. If you want your team to keep up with the changing trends in ministry ensuring they grow like those they accompany is key. If you aren't sure where to start check out some of our resources HERE.
Community. People don’t just serve because of the task—they serve because of the relationships. Don't be afraid to grab a bite to eat or a drink with your team after they serve. Do something fun around the holidays. Relational ministry is most effective when community amongst the team is valued.
HOW TO KEEP VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED
Clear communication. Don’t make them guess what’s happening—be upfront, transparent, and intentional. Create a messaging group or a weekly newsletter to keep people informed and connected. Make sure everyone knows how to connect when they have a question.
Intentional investment. If the only time they hear from you is when you need something, they won’t last. Reach out to them to see how they are doing? Ask them about their goals, dreams and let them know you care.
A sense of mission. Volunteers want to be part of something bigger. Keep reminding them why it all matters. Repeat the vision and mission, write it down and challenge them to share it with others.
NEXT STEPS
If you want to keep your volunteers engaged and thriving, it starts with giving them the tools and support they need. That's why we created Ministry2Go—a simple way to equip your team with ready-to-use training and resources.
Each month, you get practical content to help you invest in your volunteers without adding more to your plate.
Want to learn more? Check it out HERE.
Think about the volunteers you currently have. Who’s thriving, and who’s struggling? What’s one thing you could do this week to better support them?
When we create a culture where volunteers feel valued, supported, and connected to a mission bigger than themselves, they don’t just serve—they stay.