Twenty-one months after the covid pandemic first threw us for a loop, we’re still in upheaval. Vaccines are prevalent, but many still suffer and many more are fearful. When it comes to church volunteerism, ‘normal’ is a distant memory andRead more…
If Every Church had a Volunteer Champion…
Odds are good your church does not have a staff person who focuses on healthy volunteerism. Few churches do, and the numbers are decreasing. But I’m willing to bet your church does have a person or two or ten whoRead 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…
God’s Timing at Work
If you’ve taken St. Peter’s new member class in the past 10 years, you remember meeting with one of our volunteer ministry guides for a friendly conversation about your gifts and interests and ways they might be used at St.Read more…
A Question: Recruiting Millennials
In the past year, we’ve had a huge influx of millennials into our church. What’s the best way to recruit these individuals for service? — a reader Response: It’s a great blessing when the family of God includes people ofRead more…
Good stuff: Our Response to Declining Commitments
“People don’t commit like they used to.” “We need to teach these younger people to make a commitment.” “Why aren’t more people stepping up to help?” I hear these comments often. Short term volunteering is very popular, but it’s gettingRead 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…
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…
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…
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