Covid has brought change — tragic changes in health and employment, and inconvenient change, like mask-wearing and limits on eating out. At church we’ve dealt with change in how we worship, share communion, celebrate marriages and bury loved ones. FewRead more…
Could Less be More?
Is your church staff shrinking? Mine is. Long term trends in school enrollment, followed by covid’s financial impact, forced our church leaders to implement two reductions in force in 2020, including a 50% reduction in my hours. It’s not justRead more…
A Dream Volunteer Job, and Why It Doesn’t Work
“Two retired English teachers . . . have solved the mystery of why volunteers like them are rarely invited to help . . .” This column from the Washington Post speaks volumes about a major roadblock for volunteers. It’s asRead 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…
14 projects? Where’d they come from?!
Last week was busy and stressful. My assistant Isabel and I were preparing publicity for our 14 Big Days of Serving (BDOS) projects. A major challenge was fitting descriptions for all 14 on our one-page handout! This May 19-21 eventRead 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…
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? 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…
Worth noting: The 24/7 Work Culture’s Toll
A New York Times article, “The 24/7 Work Culture’s Toll on Families and Gender Equality,” paints a sobering picture of the lives many of our church volunteers lead outside of church. Some excerpts and my thoughts. “The pressure of aRead more…
Good Stuff: Motivating Volunteers
Good stuff from the United Kingdom: a short and to-the-point (and free!) downloadable guide on motivating volunteers; part of a series on guides on volunteerism basics. Although not specifically geared toward church volunteers, virtually all of it applies in churchRead more…
The Great Commission in Reverse
(Thanks to guest author Alice Klement for this post. –KK) “Go into all the world” becomes “Go to the world in your community” Jesus commanded his followers to go into all the world to teach, baptize, and make disciples. InRead more…
They ARE Volunteering
You know who volunteers in your church. But do you really know the volunteering behavior of all your people? “A new federal study shows that 1 in 4 Americans volunteered through an organization and two-thirds helped their neighbors last year.”Read more…
Paid or Volunteer?
Paid or Volunteer? What work is done by staff at your church? What work is done by volunteers? Usually, the line between the two is pretty clear. Some positions (pastor, secretary) are filled by employees. Others (Sunday school teacher, usher)Read more…
Everyday Equipping: What’s Your Score?
Everyday Equipping: What’s Your Score? You have more influence on volunteerism in your church than you think. We all do. Even those of us not in a position of authority, with no leadership gifts or inclinations; we influence others. OfRead more…
Going to the Dogs?
I’m not a dog person. Due to family allergies, we never owned a dog, much to my sons’ disappointment and my relief. But now my church owns a dog. Last November, in a “passing of the leash” ceremony, we receivedRead more…
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