Conversations are powerful. That’s what struck me from this article from Relevant magazine, “Why Mark Zuckerberg’s Meeting with Pastors is So Significant.” Conversation changes people Conversation fosters connections, especially when we spend more time asking questions and listening than expressingRead more…
A Question: What Will a Volunteer Coordinator Do For Me?
The budget of our church’s volunteer program got a substantial bump this year. Thankfully, we are now able to hire a full-time coordinator. What are the most important parts of a volunteer program that we should shift to her, theRead more…
Service Enterprise Certification!
Rejoice with me! At St. Peter Lutheran in Arlington Heights, Illinois, we’re rejoicing in our recent Service Enterprise certification. See details here. We’re the first congregation in Illinois, and perhaps the nation, to successfully complete the year-long certification process. Although thatRead more…
Three Little Words
I clearly remember the day I uncovered three little words with a huge impact on retaining volunteers. I was talking to a man who set up coffee and donuts every Sunday. He was new to that ministry, so I asked,Read more…
Scheduling Volunteers
We’re all jugglers when it comes to our calendars. On top of our regular work/school hours, there are the soccer tournaments, band recitals, business trips, family get-togethers, and weekend getaways. One result: many volunteer no-show’s at church because “something cameRead more…
Invite Seniors to Serve
Picture the seniors who volunteer at church. Do you first picture the sweet grandmothers who stuff inserts in the bulletin? They are wonderful, valuable volunteers. But also picture: The “elder statesmen/women” who serve in leadership and influence roles Retirees whoseRead more…
Good Stuff: Community Volunteering in Dark Times
Many are uneasy in the United States these days, as we anticipate the inauguration of a new president, following a divisive political campaign and election. Susan Ellis considers this as she looks at the role of volunteers in initiating changeRead more…
Good Stuff: Transforming the U.S. Mint
Have you ever read the rankings of the best places to work in federal government? Me neither. But here’s an inspiring story of Ed Moy, director of the US Mint, who in just three years raised the Mint’s ranking fromRead more…
Good Stuff: When Millennials Give
“Connections to a Cause: The Millennial Way of Charity” is mostly about financial giving, but also is about millennials volunteering. Some quotes: “Causes matter more than institutions” “millennials are most likely to give when they feel inspired by an organizationRead more…
A Question: Where’s the Joy?
I’ve got a question. “Do you have any articles about serving with joy? I feel some of our teams around here are in a slump.” — from Carolyn at a church in Wisconsin Response Thanks for asking, Carolyn. It’s anRead more…
Want Volunteers? Throw a Party!
Ministry fairs are popular church volunteer recruitment events. Each ministry (such as Sunday school, food pantry, the garden club, etc.) prepares and mans a table. People stroll around the room, viewing the volunteer opportunities, and signing up if interested. EffectiveRead more…
Time & Talent & Spiritual Gift Surveys
Time and talent surveys and spiritual gift inventories are two common data-gathering tools in churches. Information about a volunteer’s skills, spiritual gifts, and preferences is always helpful. It allows us to direct our recruitment effort to those most likely toRead more…
Want Volunteers? Get to Know New Members
Talked to a new member lately? New members make great volunteers. They’re excited about their new church. They want to get to know others, and they recognize serving as a great way to build relationships. Most are open to gettingRead more…
Want Volunteers? Consider Your In’s and Out’s
An intriguing way to grow volunteerism at church involves looking at the “in’s” and “out’s” — people volunteering inside, and outside, your church’s walls. What’s the ratio of inside/outside volunteering at your church? List all your volunteer opportunities, noting whichRead more…
Recruiting 101: Want Volunteers? Avoid This
“Help! We need more volunteers!” You hear that a lot around churches. If you’re working with volunteers, you probably don’t have enough. It’s true whether you are a pastor, church staff or a volunteer yourself. Volunteer recruitment is not onlyRead more…
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