Podcast Episode #139
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play
Today on the podcast we tackle a problem every church has in some form—recruitment of volunteers. Whether you need teachers, small group leaders, ushers, or nursery workers, these seven keys will help you activate and retain volunteers in your church.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- Too many times, we bring members into a church without letting them know the expectations of membership.
- When looking for volunteers, talk about the “why” and the people impacted by the ministry.
- Recruiting volunteers needs to be done one-on-one whenever possible.
- If a church does not have an emphasis on small groups, it will be an unhealthy church.
- The key to success in any organization is to get the right people and get them in the right place.
- One of the reason we lose volunteers is because we have them doing things that make them miserable.
- Find places for volunteers that match their passions and talents.
- Many times it is helpful to have a point person in charge of all recruitment in the church.
The seven keys recruiting more volunteers in your church are:
- Recruiting must begin at new membership or before
- Recruiting must have more “why” than “what”
- Recruiting is best when it is individual
- The most effective recruiting takes place in small groups
- Consider recruiting with definitive termination dates
- Consider recruiting with alternating assignments
- Get the right people on the bus, and the right people in the right seats on the bus (gifts and passion)
Episode Sponsor
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped hundreds of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church. Find out more about Vanderbloemen Search Group by visiting WeStaffTheChurch.com.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church.
Bullet points 5, 6, & 7 are fine if you are a large church with a large pool of talent to select from. Small churches with limited human resources tend to grab any warm body that they can catch in a weak moment of agreement. Many are serving in several ministries in smaller congregations not because they are necessarily gifted or talented in these areas, but simply because no one else will do the job. Often times an individual will have these positions for many years or a lifetime simply because no one else will step up to the plate.
I’m afraid our society, both in and outside the church, are shying away from volunteerism at an alarming rate. This problem could be a huge part of the demise of the church, especially the smaller congregations.
Mark 3:13-14 (NLT) – Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,”
Jesus didn’t need numbers to create disciples. To be like Jesus you need to transform only a few. The Great Commission is to make disciples. How do you do that? – By example. Live like Jesus, teach like Jesus, and most importantly, pray like Jesus.
I don’t particularly like the word volunteer in the context of church. Mark 10:45 reminds us that to be like Jesus we must serve others. This means that all believers are “ministers.” This principle is critical to every small group. Chuck Lawless writes, “Small groups matter in the church. Regardless of a church’s size, the small group is a place of teaching, fellowship, prayer, and pastoral care. The adage, “A church must grow smaller as it grows larger” is more than a church growth cliché; it is a principle of Great Commission growth.” How true that is! Just think – the small church has a distinct advantage.
Just like small groups, small churches must maintain a goal of multiplication. Group leaders, though not many, must focus on multiplication. You don’t have to recruit volunteers when you allow God to make disciples through your example. An apprentice should be groomed to start another group and so on. Size is on your side, you’re already small. Be like Jesus, be intentional. Make one disciple at a time and God will be glorified.
Thanks for the encouraging words.
I agree with Hal.
I attend a small church where the congregation is mostly in there 80’s. There are very few of us who are in their 50’s. The older ones don’t volunteer very often leaving the rest to do it all and many times get burned out.
I don’t hear any audio after the intro song. Is there an issue?
Tim, it might be a streaming issue on your end. Everything seems to be in order. You might try downloading the episode through iTunes.
Downloaded MP3 and it is still only the theme music at start and end, the rest is empty without sound.
Corrected the issue on our end. Faulty Audio cable. Thanks!