The Power of Stories

by Karen Kogler

Want to recruit, retain, encourage, unite and teach volunteers? Use a simple skill you already have, a powerful tool that's free. Tell stories.

Stories are part of our daily life. A child's bedtime story, the plot of a book or movie, the day's happenings described on the drive home from school, memories shared when the family gathers at Grandma's house -- they're all stories. Stories catch and hold our attention. They encourage and move us; they teach and motivate us. A family's stories unite them in shared history, values, and experiences.

Everyone call tell stories. We do it every time we're with friends. We naturally share the stories of what's going on in our lives - the illness, the changes in our job, the home improvement project, the latest cute thing the grandchild said or did!

When we intentionally gather and share stories of serving at church - the results are powerful.

Continue reading on gathering stories, sharing stories and connecting stories.

Question from a Reader

Question:
"We are preparing for our annual volunteer luncheon and looking for a cute poem that we hope to read to our volunteers. Would you have any poems that are volunteer focused and reflect appreciation of volunteers, maybe one on the 'funnier' side?"

From Jennifer in Pennsylvania

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Two Good Reads

Newly published, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller. God's call to serve covers home and the workplace as well as church. Church volunteers have lots of questions about serving where they are employed. Keller does not offer pat answers, but provides a thoughtful and thorough look at answers from a variety of Christian perspectives. Great topic for small groups.
Can't believe it took me 25 years to hear of these two books. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image, both co-written by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. Brand, a physician and missionary who focused on people with leprosy, achieved breakthroughs in understanding and treatment of the disease. He applies his understanding of the miracle of the human body to the scriptural picture of the church as the body of Christ. Amazing.

Good Stuff

10 Questions that Work in Any Conversation are great for anyone leading volunteers or staff.
How Meetings can Engage Volunteers Rather than Enrage Volunteers

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