One of the reasons people don’t get involved in ministry is because it seems like an impossible leap. Many people feel like they are unqualified and in order to serve they need a masters in theology.
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To debunk those myths you need a boarding process for your ministry. A boarding process creates a clear path of how to get plugged in and what’s required. To get one started you need to provide:
Allow people to give your ministry a try before they commit fully. Invite them to sit in on a night of youth ministry and just observe. Give them basic roles that allow them to get their feet wet.
This will give them the opportunity to feel out the experience. They’ll get a better understanding of the energy involved so that they can make a better decision on whether or not to serve.
Many people have their own perception of youth ministry. If they feel that youth ministry is just being silly they might pass. If they feel like it takes a theology degree they will be hesitant.
A lot of the tasks in youth ministry might seem small, but they do matter. As the leader you need to explain that everything from opening a door to leading an activity is planting seeds of what it means to grow with Christ in a church setting.
It’s hard being the new person. To help that person connect with the community have them partner up with someone already serving. They will:
It’s also beneficial for the person they are shadowing. What you do is give your experienced workers ownership of the program.
When you invite someone to ask questions you invite them to invest in the ministry. It communicates that you have nothing to hide and that you want them to know it all.
Not only will questions connect a person further into your ministry it will help you learn more about what you are doing. Questions from a fresh perspective will help you see things you have been missing.
To keep volunteers around for the long haul you have to make sure they get started on the right foot. Create a boarding process that will enable them to feel connected and confident about the commitment they are making.
[reminder] What do you do for new volunteers in your ministry? [/reminder]