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…
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…
Experiments in Video Blogging
I’m experimenting with video blogging as a communication tool to promote serving opportunities. Check out my first efforts under the “Watch our videos” heading here. My criteria for success are that I can be reasonably ‘myself’ on camera, that itRead more…
Good Stuff: Are You Wearing Your Oxygen Mask?
Self-care is important for all of us, but especially so for those who lead volunteers. If we don’t “put on your own oxygen mask first . . .” we’ll hinder and hurt (and probably lose) the volunteers who work withRead 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…
Former Volunteers as Friends
Susan Ellis wrote a great post on “Keeping Former Volunteers as Long-term Friends.” If you lead volunteers in a particular ministry at your church, think of that ministry as your ‘organization.’ If you’re a pastor or staff leader, think ofRead 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…
Good Stuff: Thanking Volunteers
“Thank You” offers thoughts, discussion and links on thanking volunteers. It includes the surprising observation from research that while “over 60% of organisations are holding formal gatherings to thank volunteers, . . . less than 20% of volunteers like toRead 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…
Recruiting 101: Want Volunteers? Spell It Out
If you were looking for work, would you be interested in a job where the responsibilities were only vaguely described, where hours and benefits weren’t mentioned at all, and no one had clear answers to your questions? Me neither. YetRead more…
Recruiting 101: Want Volunteers? Invite Them
Recruitment is invitation. When you recruit, you invite someone to consider an opportunity to serve. Remembering this truth makes the process easier, more pleasant and more effective. Party invitations are attractive and are sent well in advance to a selectRead more…
Recruiting 101: Tips
The three other articles in the Recruiting 101 series cover common practices to avoid; the important job description, and how to invite people to serve. Many other aspect of recruiting (such as helping new members get involved, ministry fairs, parentsRead more…
Good Stuff: 5 Ways to Say Thanks
Good reminder on how to appreciate volunteers: “5 Ways to Say Thanks.” Numbers 4 and 5 are especially appreciated by high-capacity volunteers and leaders.
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…