Stay curious about how they’re doing and how they feel in their role. Ask lots of questions and get their feedback. Communicate with them clearly and often—be intentional to invite their feedback to show appreciation and celebrate them. Grow with them.

Expect them to have ideas and care deeply about the ministry. Pray together and praise together when prayers are answered and show your appreciation.

Part of caring for your volunteer team is knowing how each person likes to receive appreciation. You can show appreciation in any number of ways—from a simple thank you note or an occasional treat, like a cup of coffee or a favorite snack to public recognition or a special picture from kids in your ministry.

Appreciating and Empowering You Team

You don’t have to do something big or fancy to show volunteers how much you appreciate them. There are lots of great and simple ways to show gratitude and remind your team of the impact they’re having on kids’ lives in the kingdom. Empower your team to build the team.

Encourage your current team members to personally invite people they know to serve in the children’s ministry. Make it easy for them. Give them a script or a simple card they can give to others. People are more likely to serve when they get to share the experience with friends.

Request formal feedback. It’s important to check in with new team members often, but it’s also important to get formal feedback from them within the first 90 days. Be sure to schedule an evaluation with every volunteer annually.

Use these 90-Day Volunteer Evaluation and Annual Volunteer Survey templates to check in with your volunteers. Ask specific questions to get their input on things they’re curious about and get feedback on how they’re feeling about serving in children’s ministry.

How to Use the Volunteer Check-In and Survey for Feedback

After the four (or more!) weeks of hands-on training your new volunteer completes, place the volunteer in their role, and set a reminder for yourself or a leader to follow up with them within 90 days of their start date. Use the 90-Day Volunteer Check-In and Annual Volunteer Survey to check in and get feedback about how they’re feeling about serving.

Ask if they want to try other roles. Give them positive and helpful feedback. Give them more responsibility if they’re ready for it.

The survey for your volunteers can be a written survey (printed or emailed), or it can be a guide for a one-on-one conversation (write down their answers, so you don’t forget!).

You can also use this survey with all regular volunteers annually to find out how they’re feeling about their volunteer role. And it helps as you take time to evaluate your ministry by looking at what’s working and what isn’t.

Remember to customize this resource, so it fits your ministry.

Volunteer Feedback: 90-Day Volunteer Check-In

Volunteer Name:
Role:
Start Date:
90-Day Follow-Up Date:
Name of Trainer:
Ministry Area:

Questions:

• What do you like about the role in which you’re currently serving?
  
• What questions do you have?
  
• How connected do you feel to the rest of the volunteer team?
  
• What do you wish was different about the role you’re serving in?
  
• What can we do to make your experience or this ministry area even better?
  
• Is there any other ministry area or role you’d be interested in trying?
  
• Have you experienced any memorial “God moments” while serving, including seeing God at work in kids’ lives?
  
• Are you happy with the frequency of the times you’re serving? Would you be interested in serving more or less often?
  

Volunteer Feedback: Annual Volunteer Survey

Name:
Date:
Ministry Area & Role:

Questions:

• What do you like about the role in which you’re currently serving?
  
• How connected to the rest of the volunteer team do you feel?
  
• What do you wish was different about the role you’re in or the ministry program?
  
• What can we do to make this ministry area even better?
  
• Is there any other ministry area or role you’d be interested in trying?
  
• Have you experienced any memorable “God moments” while serving, including seeing God at work in the kids’ lives?
  
• Are you happy with the frequency of the times you’re serving? Would you be interested in serving more or less often?
  
• How easy is the curriculum to use, and how effective do you feel it is for teaching the kids?
  
• How engaged are the kids in the service?
  

Like these ideas? Check out David C Cook’s Volunteer Onboarding Kit and get more resources just like this one!

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Unless we have God’s Word, we don’t have anything. The ultimate example of a healthy volunteer relationship is Jesus with His disciples. He called people up. In Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 4, John 1, we get the background. Jesus is baptized. He goes into the wilderness; He fasts; He prays; He’s tempted. And then Jesus comes out of that, and He begins to preach. It’s interesting that He started preaching before He pursued volunteers. And then He started pursuing volunteers in Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 5:1-11.

Jesus had a message that He invited people to come alongside and share. We have a message in the church. What’s our message? God made it. We broke it. Jesus fixes it. We respond. How does that fit in our lesson? God made it. We broke it. Jesus fixes it. We respond.

Jesus invited them to be part of the message. But He didn’t just invite them—He also gave them a plan. He said, “Follow Me.” And, ultimately, He gave a purpose of becoming fishers of men. And we know what those volunteers did. We’re here today because He invested in them, and now we have the opportunity to invest in other people and love volunteers well.

Love and Care for Volunteers

S: Soul-Care or Spiritual Care

I have done children’s ministry for a very long time. I love it! I love being around people, hanging out with kids, playing and teaching, coming up with messages, and being creative. But it’s interesting that if you serve in children’s ministry over a long period, you probably don’t have an opportunity to consistently go to the worship service.

I wonder if I surveyed you guys, how many of you would say, “Man, I am worn out.” Well, to be healthy and to help volunteers be healthy, we have to be healthy ourselves.

For a long time, I wasn’t participating in adult worship services because I had to work. I couldn’t leave my job to go and be fed. So, I began listening to podcasts of sermons for encouragement.

I would listen to sermons early on Sunday morning as I drove into church before anybody else was there. While setting up rooms, I was listening to different sermons. And I cannot tell you how much I have been encouraged and fed by those along with my daily Bible reading.

Part of your soul care is that you need to be in the worship service at some point in time. And if it’s not possible, then you need to find a worship service that you’re listening to consistently. I would say that if you can’t be there in person, you need to listen to more than one a week.

Your Soul Is Important: Love Volunteers Through Soul Care

Another helpful thing for me is going to conferences—like INCM Children’s Pastors’ Conference. And there are places like Ministry Spark, where you get access to thought leadership for free.

I also encourage you to listen to or read Christian resources and books.

Things like these helped me get out of my funk. And the blessing of a coworker that God had given me has made a huge difference.

3 John 1:2 says, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

And guys, girls, friends, people all over the world, we must maintain our spiritual walk. We have to be healthy in order to help others. You can get by, sure—for a while. But it will catch up with you, and you will be depleted.

P: Prayer

Keep it simple, keep it real, and keep it up.

Pete Greg, Red Moon Rising

Pete Greg has a vision from God about making a difference, and he doesn’t know how that will work. And it starts and ends with prayer. And after reading his book Red Mood Rising, you will be motivated to pray.

You’ll say, “Put me in coach.” Any big work in the New Testament started with prayer. They were all in. So what are some points on prayer?

One of the best ways that I recalibrate myself in prayer is by praying the Lord’s Prayer. It gives you a template. And you can love volunteers by praying for them.

Object Lessons: Love Volunteers by Standing Together

Recently I saw a sermon where the preacher called someone to the front and gave him a set of two-pound weights. The preacher asked if they were heavy. Of course they weren’t. But he had the guy extend his arm, holding the weights out to his sides. And then the preacher just began to talk.

Well, even a two-pound weight eventually gets heavy. The pastor was talking about intercessory prayer. He went on for maybe five to seven minutes. And he asked again if the weights were heavy. Of course they were getting heavy.

Well, then the speaker came and helped the volunteer carry the weights. When we work with volunteers, when we’re trying to make a difference, we need to come alongside them and pray with our brothers and sisters as they are struggling. And they need to know that we’re doing that.

Another thing is fasting. What are you willing to give up to help focus your mind?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

2, 4, 6, 8! Who do we appreciate? VOLUNTEERS!

Download this printable infographic and hang it in your office! A reminder for giving thanks is a good thing to keep around.

Download your free infographic

Infographic

R: Relationships

Alone, we can do so little, but together we can do so much.

Helen Keller

One of the things I’ve noticed over time (the hard way), is that your volunteers are typically missing some sort of belonging element by serving with you in children’s ministry. They’re giving up something to be with you. So creating a sense of belonging within your group is important.

One way to work toward this is by sharing a meal and sitting together. When you host trainings, invite the whole family. Don’t make your volunteers miss time with their kids and spouses—invite them all in.

We also celebrate together. When children memorize verses or accomplish something else, we celebrate together and invite volunteers and their families. Maybe we’ll go skating or eat cupcakes. The activity isn’t what’s important—the time together is.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I: Information

If you don’t give people information, they will make up something to fill in the void.

Clara O’Dell

Information leads to peace. My job is to make sure that I over communicate. And, honestly, it’s easier said than done. I have lots of conversations in my head, but I sometimes forget to have them with people.

Information leads to security. Give your volunteers more than they need and love them by giving them clarity. Sometimes they’ll hear it, and sometimes they won’t. But you’ve got to do it and keep doing it.

Setting clear expectations from the beginning of a volunteer role provides clarity. The Volunteer Onboarding Kit from David C Cook is one of the tools available to help you do this. Check it out—there are videos, job descriptions, and more to help you think about your ministry to and with volunteers.

Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

N: ‘Ncouragement (aka Encouragement)

Encouragement is like water to the soul. It makes everything grow.

Chris Burkmenn

We need to be encouragers, we need to be encouragers, we need to be encouragers. We must lift up the people around us. You can do this through thanksgiving and praise. You can do this by helping them where you know they need help.

Write a personal note, pray for people on the spot, give gifts with a purpose. Create a resource room with great food, snacks, or whatever it is that you can provide.

So, what can we do? There is always something we can do, whether for individuals or the group collectively.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

G: Growing

Education is not the filling of a pale, but it is the lighting of a fire.

William Butler Yates

How do we help our volunteers grow? How can I do my job, encourage them, and not intimidate them at the same time?

You can walk by classrooms, stop in, affirm what’s good, and help with what’s hard. I try to check in with each teacher and make sure they are equipped with what they need—while also respecting their space as much as I can.

Knowing your volunteers helps you help them grow. If you don’t know them, you can’t know what they have to offer, and you won’t know how to help them develop their skills. And, truthfully, they can help you grow too.

Ask questions. Help them discover their spiritual gifts as well! And be open to growth as a team, as you all work to share the good news of Jesus with kids.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

S: Serving

Leadership is service, not position.

Tim Fargo

I have seen the leaders who don’t serve and only delegate, but they don’t delegate from a position of humility.

Humility will prompt you to clean up trash in the hallway, it will help you remember what your team has asked you for and motivate you to follow-through. Humility requires asking yourself how you can help people over and over again.

Along with this, it’s important to look at people and situations with fresh eyes. It takes intentionality week in and week out.

Matthew 23:11-12 says, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

…

The main points from today create the acronym: SPRINGS. Springs represent what I hope for you today as you love and lead volunteers.

1. Number one, spring is when dead things come back to life. There is a Chinese bamboo tree that spends three to four years developing roots underground. And on year four or five, it springs up. Then in about three months, it can grow 60 feet tall. It is amazing. My prayer is that wherever you are—and especially if you’re discouraged—you would come out of winter and into spring and experience new growth.

2. In relation to the metal spring that bounces. My prayer is that this was an energy giving moment, but the reason I picked SPRINGS as an acronym is because of this verse:
   
   John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
   
   Friends, my prayer for you is that you would be a spring of living water in your volunteers’ lives.

Their service to kids and their families is inspiring. And their love for Jesus is contagious.

Here are some of the top volunteer articles for training your volunteers. These will help you inspire, empower, and encourage your volunteer team. Equip them so they can run well.

Top Volunteer Training Articles

3 Fundamentals of Team Development Every Volunteer Needs

When your team is growing, kids and families will grow too.

8 Classroom Management Secrets You’ll Want to Share with Volunteers

Keep every classroom focused and engaged with these simple tips.

Volunteers, You Are More than What You Do

Volunteers, be encouraged by this Family Ministry Conversation video. You are leaders in God’s Church—you are giving away Christ.

2-Minute Training Videos

How to Deal with Kids’ Inappropriate Comments

This 2-minute training video will help equip volunteers to be prepared to speak the truth in love.

How to Deal with Pouting in Your Kids’ Ministry

This 2-minute training video will give volunteers 5 principles to prepare them to deal with pouters!

How to Deal with a Runner in Your Kids’ Ministry

This 2-minute training video will help your volunteers manage their classes when a child tries to escape.

How to Prepare for a Great Sunday School Class

This 2-minute training video will encourage volunteers to be ready for the kids they teach.

Simple Ways to Show Sad Children You Care

This 2-minute training video will encourage volunteers to acknowledge children’s feelings and demonstrate God’s love.

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Powerful Ways to Pray for Kids in Your Ministry

This 2-minute training video will give volunteers 7 practical tips on praying for kids they serve.

How to Use Quick Connections to See and Know Families

This 2-minute training video will equip your volunteers to make the most of moments with families!

5 Absolutely Simple Tips for Leading Groups Better

This 2-minute training video will help you maximize your time with kids!

How to Shift Gears When You Lead Kids

This 2-minute training video will give volunteers 7 practical tips to minimize chaos between activity or room changes.

How to Foster Emotional and Spiritual Safety

This 2-minute training video will show you how to foster emotional and spiritual safety.

10 Commandments You’ll Want to Follow When You Teach Kids

Check out this 2-minute training video and discover tips for leading the children in your group.

Check out more articles all about volunteers here!

Leading volunteers is one of the most rewarding parts of ministry—even though it might be hard at times.

Far too often we bring volunteers in, we encourage them, and then we send them on their way without clear leadership. While we want to train and empower our volunteers to own their roles, it’s important that they never feel like an island. Isolation does not honor volunteers.

And we don’t want to make the mistake of forgetting about volunteers until there is a crisis! That is a great way to lose them and none of us want that!

Let’s join together and go beyond enlisting people. Let’s choose to intentionally walk alongside our volunteers on the journey of faith and service.

5 Responsibilities We Have Toward Volunteers

1. Know Them

We lead best when we know the people on our teams! And the people on your teams deserve to be known. Understanding who they are, what they enjoy, their strengths, and even their weaknesses help us lead better.

You see, ministry always happens best in the context of relationship. It always has, and it always will. Jesus displayed the importance of relationships in His ministry on earth.

Getting to know your volunteers is critical to successful ministry and enables all of the following responsibilities to a far greater extent.

2. Listen Well

Listening is key to knowing others. It is also the first step in sharing vision.

Volunteers are people. And many of them, especially those who are passionate about children’s ministry, have great ideas! Listening to them is the only way we’ll ever be able to hear those great ideas that will better our ministries.

These are the key people in the trenches who see the reality of what’s going on in your ministry. They often have the best perspective of what will work and what won’t, what is needed and what isn’t. So, be sure to hear them when they speak to you.

And seek them out if they haven’t come to you. Give them opportunity to share!

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

3. Align with Vision

Vision keeps your ministry and your team on track for where you want to be. And that vision must be aligned with the overall vision of your church, and it must be wholly owned by every part of your ministry, especially by your volunteers.

If your team is not actively engaged with the defined vision, your ministry could end up in a place you don’t want to go. It can feel disjointed and lacking. Whereas when volunteers also own the vision, we all head in the same direction together.

We owe it to our volunteers to communicate a clear vision so they can own it for themselves!

4. Equip to Serve

It’s important that we equip our teams to do the work of ministry. If we aren’t equipping them, then we are failing them as leaders. It’s not fair of us to send them out without them knowing where they’re going.

An equipped volunteer owns their role and brings life into areas of ministry that otherwise may not have it.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV

5. Spiritual Engagement

One of the most important pieces of leading volunteers is investing in them spiritually. This is such a sacred part of growing volunteers.

In this aspect, it’s important we lean in, know what they are learning, see how they are growing, and understand what they might be struggling with.

We’re on this faith journey together, so walking together in faith is key. It’s not necessarily about one-on-one discipleship, but rather creating systems, having conversations, and engaging with volunteers on their spiritual journeys.

Not only is it our responsibility for the purpose of protecting the ministry we are called to lead, but it’s our responsibility because volunteers are as much a part of our ministry as the families we serve each week.

Ideas for Fulfilling These Responsibilities

Decide what your priorities are when it comes to your volunteers and then align your work habits with these responsibilities. You will probably need to delegate things that others can do so that you can focus on what only you can do!

In this, be sure to create systems that help you keep this alive, especially as you equip key leaders to carry some of the responsibilities. In due time, this all will become part of your ministry culture, helping you have a healthy team and ministry.

We want the right people serving so that our kids can come to know, love, and follow Jesus.

Recruiting volunteers is one of the greatest challenges as a children’s ministry leader. What would our recruiting look like if we began to invite instead of beg, place instead of assign, and pray instead of hope?

Here are 7 ideas to help you get better at recruiting!

7 Ideas for Recruiting Volunteers

1. Relate, Don’t Simply Recruit

As we all know, ministry happens best through the context of relationships. So, connecting to people should be a top priority when recruiting. When relationships are in place, we better know one’s heart, gifts, and desires.

And when we better know people through relationship, we better know what it would look like to intentionally place them in our ministry. We’re better equipped to ask them about a role that would fit to them, not the opposite.

2. Rethink the Mass Appeals

The effectiveness of a mass appeal from the main stage is typically minimal at best. The follow-through from these kinds of asks is either low or temporary. It’s an appeal to get warm bodies to help—not to equip leaders for ministry.

When we can make requests to members of our congregations through one-on-one interactions, it’s more personal and relational.

Although there are times where mass appeal is appropriate, it’s important to make sure the majority of our ministry asks are personal and personable.

3. Respond to Questions

One reason people may not want to serve is because of a false understanding of what is required of them. They may be intimidated by what they believe you’re going to ask them to do. They might even be underwhelmed at times.

So be sure to encourage questions and make sure you respond fully to them. As they ask questions, be sure to clarify expectations, so they can make an informed decision before committing or saying no.

One resource that helps answer questions is to have ministry role descriptions available so they know exactly what your expectations are in advance.

4. Communicate Actively and Appropriately when Recruiting Volunteers

Do you have any families at your church who have offered to serve in your ministry, but you just didn’t have a place at the time? Be sure to communicate with them actively. They need to be seen and heard. Work to create a place for them as you are able.

How encouraging it is when people want to be active participants in God’s Church!

It’s important not to wait until just before you need people. Communicate early and communicate often. If there is any indication a person is willing to serve, appropriate follow-up communication has to be our priority.

5. Design Roles to Meet Gifts and Abilities

It’s easy to get into the pattern of cookie cutter ministry descriptions, but they rarely match a person’s unique abilities and passions.

As we look at the roles we need in our ministries, rewrite the descriptions to maximize your volunteers’ strengths.

As you lean into their gifts, their service will be more effective, they will be less likely to burn out, and they’ll have a desire to lead! It’s so important that we are willing to redefine roles as needed.

There are free tools that can help you with this too. A quick search will show you ways to scope gifts!

6. Don’t Guilt Anyone into Serving

It’s important that we don’t try to force fit anyone into our ministries—no matter how dire the need for help. We have to trust that if someone is walking with God, they will sense if they are led to serve in children’s ministry or not.

Even if done unintentionally, guilting someone into serving won’t keep them around very long. And it honestly might take them away from where they should be serving.

Be tuned in to the Lord and follow after Him!

7. Evaluate Your Current Leaders when Recruiting Volunteers

In order to have a healthy approach for recruiting volunteers, it’s important to have a healthy ministry. And sometimes you’re going to have volunteers who become problematic. It’s okay to evaluate and remove volunteers lovingly and appropriately.

We want the right people serving so that our kids can come to know, love, and follow Jesus.

We need leaders in our ministries who are on board with the vision and mission. We need to avoid those resistant to leadership, those who gossip, or those actively undermining leadership.

As hard as these conversations might be, it will make space for the right people to flourish in your ministry.

The best method of recruiting that we could give you is retaining the leaders you already have. Proactively engaging people in relationship is key!

Leadership development isn’t an instant investment. Many times, it requires months or years. However long it takes, its impact is transformational for the leader and for our ministries.

Two things typically cause us to delay investing in volunteer leadership development: time and resources. Many times, we just don’t know where or how to begin. Here are 5 ways to get started.

5 Ways to Begin Volunteer Leadership Development

1. Intentional Conversations

To put it simply, this is coaching 1:1 with your volunteers. Being intentional with someone about what we talk about and steering that conversation within leadership can go a long way!

In this time, encourage them to ask questions and prompt them with questions that make them think. Let your volunteers formulate their own ideas instead of telling them what to think. And take time to help them process their thoughts as you share your own experiences.

As you carve out specific time for coaching, make sure to be intentional about shaping the conversation.

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

2. Resources and Studies

Studies or resources are great tools that can help someone with leadership development. You might do this in groups, as a whole team, or in smaller cohorts.

You might go through a book with someone, talk through an article, attend a webinar, or listen to a podcast to discuss together. There are many great resources available, so be sure to take advantage of them.

3. Conferences for Volunteer Leadership Development

Attend a conference together! This gives you space as a team to discuss what’s being learned, and it creates opportunities to build deeper relationships. Feel free to choose from a national conference, a local conference, a network meeting, or even a workshop offered in your own church.

And remember, it doesn’t have to be related to children’s ministry, but it’s always great if it is!

Here are a few conferences we recommend:

• Children’s Pastors Conference
• KidzMatter Conference
• D6 Family Ministry Conference

4. Project Assignments

The best way to develop leaders is to not only talk about leadership but put it into practice. So, as you continue to have conversations, give project assignments to your up-and-coming leader, and let them practice leadership under your direction.

It can be something small, but after you’ve given the instructions, let them own it. That means that you let them do it the way they would do it, let them bring their own ideas to the project, let them fail, etc.

5. Apprenticeships and Internships

Everything listed above (and more) can be part of an apprenticeship or internship. An apprenticeship is probably the ideal form of leadership development. An apprentice is someone committed to someone else for the purpose of observing and learning something specific from that person.

In this case, a ministry apprentice would not only be equipped for ministry, but also developed as a leader. Allow this person to walk with you on your leadership journey. Let them observe and experience how you make decisions, communicate, handle issues, solve problems, and more.

However you begin leadership development with your volunteers, we encourage you to always begin and end with prayer. Allow the Lord to guide you as you guide others in ministry.

More for Your Volunteers

• Is Your Volunteer Team Checked Out? Here’s How to Check Back In
• Honoring Volunteers: It’s More Than Appreciation
• Why Caring Makes a Difference with the Volunteers We Serve
• Inspire Your Volunteers and Create a Healthy Culture

2, 4, 6, 8! Who do we appreciate? VOLUNTEERS!

Download this printable infographic and hang it in your office! A reminder for giving thanks is a good thing to keep around.

Download your free infographic

Infographic

In no way do we think this topic could be covered in a single blog post, but we’re hoping to help by providing an outline for team development as you lead your ministry. Each component offers an area that we believe is critical and should be studied much more in depth.

We hope this helps you get started as you build a strong ministry team.

Develop Your Ministry Team

1. Develop Yourself First

As you lead, it’s so important that you have an intentional, daily plan for your personal growth. And first things first, you must sit with Jesus. We encourage you to lean into Him and follow His desire for your ministry.

Then also look at other areas of development you may need. What weaknesses could you make smaller? Are there strengths you could build up to be even stronger? What are the kinds of things you are looking for in your team? Are there areas that could grow?

Ask yourself some of these hard questions and get to work! We cannot give away what we do not possess. So, this is a really important step to take as we lead and learn.

2. Enlist the Right People

As you work to build a team, you don’t simply need more bodies. You need the right people in the right places! People who want to be there, and who fit well!

Get a head start on developing a great team by finding people with:

• Character: Look for people who are Godly in their actions, attitudes, and hearts.
• Competence: We need people who are able to do the jobs they are being asked to do. We need to be able to trust those on our team!
• Chemistry: Finding people who love each other and want the team to succeed is more valuable than finding superstars. A team working together is the best kind.
• Commitment: Our ministries need people who are willing to buy into the vision and give their all for its accomplishment.

3. Cast Vision Continually

Communicating vision is more than reciting our vision and mission statements. It’s important we make it part of our language, actions, and plans. It should be part of what we do and say.

Everything we work on and toward should align with our vision.

And if you don’t know where to start with vision, this article will give you a great place to begin.

Making an Impact in Your Children’s Ministry

Why Your Curriculum Matters and How to Choose the Right One
This guide was created to help you dive into some of the topics facing your ministries today and lead into why your curriculum matters and how to choose the right one depending on your needs.

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How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

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How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

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4. Encourage Them

Our staff and volunteers don’t just deserve pats on the back—they need them! We know how hard ministry is, and they do too. They follow our vision, take on responsibilities (in addition to the work and family responsibilities they have), and they struggle in many of the same ways that we do.

Take time to tell them just how much they mean to you and encourage the kids and families in your ministries to do the same.

Take a moment to read these verses:

• I Thessalonians 5:11
• Hebrews 10:24-25

5. Pray for Your Team

Praying for your team is key in developing a strong ministry team. Without prayer and guidance from the Lord, we are apt to run the wrong way. Prayer changes things because it changes us!

In our leadership, we need to choose to be servants, just like Jesus.

Now meditate on these passages:

• John 17
• James 5:16

6. Offer Leadership and Growth Opportunities as You Develop Your Ministry Team

There’s so much more to development than trainings! While training opportunities are awesome and definitely necessary, it’s important we also create space for other growth opportunities.

First, we encourage you to evaluate. In this process, you look at a team member through the lens of his or her leadership. Where are they in leadership development? What areas of their leadership are strong? What areas are weak?

Everyone is different, which is what makes leadership development difficult. It will take time. And that’s okay!

Next, develop a plan to help them grow the specific skills needed for their role and equip them with resources to help.

Finally, give them leadership responsibilities as soon as they are ready! And with the responsibility, make sure you are also releasing authority. Although you are ultimately responsible, it’s important to not tie your leaders’ hands by giving them responsibility without authority.

Trust them to do what you’ve asked of them and check in as needed.

7. Pursue Deeper Relationships with Core Leaders

As you develop leaders, some are going to rise. And naturally, there are some you will develop friendships with that are closer than others.

This doesn’t mean that you ignore others on your team, but it means that you continually pour into your leaders. And as you work to do more of what only you can do, you can empower your leaders to take on more responsibility to do what only they can do too. And you can equip those core leaders to develop other leaders too!

As your team grows, continue to develop your ministry team. People are the most important part of our ministries, because they are important to Jesus!

As church leaders, it’s our responsibility to shepherd these volunteers, ensuring they feel supported and encouraged on their journey to serve others and strengthen their spiritual walk. In this article, we’ll explore three strategies you can employ to support the growth of your volunteers’ faith:

• Cultivate a supportive volunteer community
• Provide individual support
• Develop personal relationships

Equipped with these strategies, we can pour into young female volunteers, both spiritually and socially. After all, every volunteer needs to be replenished before they can take on the role of serving others. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how you can support your volunteers’ spiritual growth.

Cultivate a Supportive Volunteer Community

A central component of every congregation is the importance of fellowship among like-minded believers. Your volunteer team can and should receive the same encouragement from meeting regularly.

A sense of community is crucial to helping the young women on your volunteer team feel reassured by the support of their leaders and peers.

You can cultivate a supportive culture by:

— Sharing Scripture

Our Bibles are “active weapons of warfare that we can use regularly, powerfully, and courageously in the fight against Satan and his schemes.” A surefire way to support fellow believers is by directing them to the main source of truth: the Bible.

Help your volunteers grasp their role’s deeper meaning by sharing Scripture and reinforcing biblical truths at every turn in their participation.

— Encouraging Collaboration

To truly build a community, support must come from collaborating with a variety of sources to create a reliable group. Working together not only allows women to see they can depend on each other but also helps them connect with one another, building friendships that will extend beyond your church’s volunteer activities. 

— Looking Ahead

Whether the young women on your volunteer team are new to their faith or long-time believers, there is always room for spiritual growth. Encourage them to take the next step, whether that means enhancing their prayer life or memorizing new Scripture. This way, they’ll be motivated and challenged to stay strong in their faith. 

You can also create a supportive culture by equipping volunteers with discipleship and training. Explain the vision for your ministry and reinforce the importance of volunteer roles in light of that vision.

For example, how does volunteer work further the kingdom of God? In doing this, you’ll shift the focus from doing volunteer work for others to doing work with others, highlighting the community surrounding their servitude.

2, 4, 6, 8! Who do we appreciate? VOLUNTEERS!

Download this printable infographic and hang it in your office! A reminder for giving thanks is a good thing to keep around.

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Infographic

Provide Individual Support

While your volunteers work to further your ministry, you should also encourage the growth of their personal faith. Individual growth will depend on each volunteer and the circumstances surrounding her spiritual walk.

You can show your support by becoming invested in each woman:

— Spiritual Life

What spiritual guidance can you offer to edify your volunteers?

You might share popular Christian books for women to offer encouraging resources for their spiritual growth. You can also share useful articles, podcasts, worship music, and other resources to encourage volunteers in their faith.

— Mental Health

Get to know your volunteer group to assess ways you can specifically support their mental health. This could mean brainstorming personal prayer and devotional goals, setting relational boundaries, or diving deeper into the Bible together.

If applicable, you might connect your volunteers to other women for one-on-one mentoring opportunities as well.

— Responsibilities

Outside of their involvement with your church, volunteers have families, careers, and other important responsibilities. Offer support for every role in their lives and encourage open and consistent communication. Let your volunteers know that you understand some seasons may be busier and more demanding than others and offer flexibility should they need to cancel a shift.

Remember, the young women on your team are more than “just” volunteers! It’s important to recognize them as whole people with other responsibilities and personal struggles. Not only will this encourage volunteers to grow their faith, but it will strengthen your volunteer team.

Develop Personal Relationships

Getting to know your volunteers not only engages them in their volunteer roles but also puts you in a position to support their spiritual growth. After all, when you know your volunteers more personally, you’ll be empowered to better understand their spiritual walks and offer the right kind of support. 

Develop these personal relationships using the following tips:

— Show Your Appreciation

It’s no mystery that your volunteers do so much for your ministry. Likewise, it shouldn’t be a mystery that you’re thankful for them! Honor their efforts by showing your gratitude and thanking them for their specific contributions. 

— Check In Regularly

The easiest way to learn more about your volunteers is by asking them directly. Ask them how they’re doing and how you can support them better. You can also use this opportunity to gather their feedback on the volunteer program and how they feel about their roles. 

— Organize Additional Gathering Opportunities

Depending on the nature of each volunteer role, you might not get to know every young woman in the context of their work for your church! Create opportunities outside of their volunteerism to gather and get to know each other better. For example, you might launch a Bible study for your women volunteers to share their spiritual walks with each other.

Remember, developing personal relationships requires effective communication. Just as you advertise your children’s program or a new women’s Bible study, you’ll need to strategically reach out to your volunteers to ensure you’re communicating well. Consider using online tools, like greeting cards or email newsletters, to make your outreach more engaging.

Creating a plan to support your volunteers is only the first step. Don’t be afraid to adjust your approach as new volunteers with different needs join your team or you receive feedback that suggests a change.

Ultimately, you’ll gain the best sense of direction for your efforts to shepherd volunteers when you’re in prayer about your leadership, so listen carefully and show your support accordingly!

Have you ever found yourself stuck when someone asks you a question? You know, you’re standing in the hallway with a volunteer on a Sunday morning just before or after a service and out of the blue they ask you a tough question.

It’s not tough just because it’s a difficult topic, but you’re not sure where your church stands on the issue. Or you maybe haven’t thought it through deeply enough yourself to be able to answer.

Sometimes, It Gets Tough

Well, you’re not alone! There have been many times when I’ve found myself staring somebody in the eye and hearing them sincerely ask a question that I haven’t known the answer to.

Early in ministry there were many times I was questioned about curriculum philosophy. This was hard since I had inherited the curriculum from my predecessor. Plus I was so new to ministry that I wasn’t completely sure where I stood on certain philosophy issues myself.

I’ve been questioned by volunteers on parenting decisions that some of our congregants had made that the volunteer maybe disagreed with. I’ve been questioned on church leadership decisions that I was not part of.

Questions have even come up around a church decision or indecision to communicate where we stood on certain political or social topics. Again, if this is you, you’re not alone.

I’ve been there numerous times. I’d love to share some things I’ve learned over my many years of ministry!

Examples of Tough Questions

Let me share a couple of specific moments I recall that might help you relate better.

One curriculum we used did not refer to drinking alcohol and getting drunk in its curriculum because of the age demographic of the children we were teaching. I remember a volunteer who was mad because they felt like we weren’t being truthful with the children in our ministry.

They weren’t just frustrated, they were angry. A choice we made to be more age appropriate in our teaching left someone questioning if we were being truthful.

Another time I had a volunteer who felt that some parents in our congregation were wrong for teaching their children about Santa Claus. She felt that we owed it to the children to tell them the truth about where presents came from at Christmas.

Those are a few examples of easier questions in the tough category. But the even tougher ones include a volunteer who questioned our church’s accountability policies for serving in ministry.

6 Tools for You

Here are some tools I have garnered over the years that have helped me when facing tough questions from volunteers.

1. Don’t Panic

First, don’t panic. The question is usually not a challenge to you personally. It is usually something that the volunteer is trying to understand and needs an answer to help them understand the thinking behind a decision, theology, or philosophy.

2. Don’t Always Respond Immediately

Feel free to buy yourself time. We don’t have to answer the question immediately. Most volunteers are happy if you respond by setting up some time to discuss the question later.

Part of what I usually do before meeting with someone is asking them to send an email with specific questions so I can be sure that I am answering the real question they are asking.

3. Research, Research, Research

Do your research. Whether it is a theological question that is being asked, an unclear policy issue that is being questioned, or something else, make sure that you are doing due diligence to answer the question they are asking.

4. Consult Others for Help

Sometimes there are topics that we are being questioned on that others on your staff or ministry team might be better equipped to answer. Lean on them to help you answer the question or coach you in answering the question.

Theology or ministry philosophy questions can sometimes be answered better by your senior leadership (senior pastor, executive pastor, or elders).

I have found that if the subject matter is difficult, then it’s even more important to plan your response. I will often think through what the possible outcomes might be and plan for them, especially if the topic in question has the potential of causing conflict if the person isn’t happy with the answer to my response.

Additionally, I have learned that ministry is all about relationships. I will make sure that I am meeting with someone in person when I am responding to a difficult question because I want to ensure that, above all, my relationship with them is the most important thing, not the response.

5. Kindness Matters

Be kind.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV) says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

If the person disagrees with an answer or is asking a question that is difficult for them to ask, I will ensure that I am sensitive to their emotions and make sure I am always kind.

6. Clarity Is Key

Be clear. No one likes a non-answer response.

As Brené Brown reminds us: ‘Clarity is kindness.’

Sometimes walking in ministry can be extremely challenging. My encouragement to you is to first stop and pray. Ask God for guidance and wisdom on how to answer the question.

And sit in the comfort that the God of our universe loves you and the person who is asking you a tough question. Neither of you is alone—God is near. And God loves us deeply!

More Articles from Gary

Leadership and Encouragement

• Proactive Safety Planning: What Kids Need from You
• The Best Ways to Talk to Your Church Leadership about Kidmin
• Practical Ways to Support Men in Ministry
• The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude on a Daily Basis
• Feeling Stuck? How to Get Back on Track
• How We Moved Our Ministry Forward in the Midst of the Unknown
• How We Continue Moving Forward in the Midst of the Unknown

Volunteers

• You Need to Avoid These Tempting Volunteer Recruitment Mistakes
• Your How-to Guide for Creating a Successful Volunteer Culture
• Meaningful Ways to Encourage Your Volunteers to See the Wonder of God
• Caring for the Leaders We Serve
• How to Equip and Empower Volunteers for Ministry

Family

• The Wonderful Transformation that Family Connection Offers

In the landscape of volunteer-driven ministry, the dedication of these unsung heroes often goes beyond the call of duty. Balancing full-time jobs, familial responsibilities, and invested roles within the church, volunteer leaders face a unique challenge—maintaining healthy boundaries in the whirlwind of their commitments.

The line between passion and overextension can be thin. Healthy boundaries for volunteer staff involve threading the needle between faithful service and personal well-being. It’s about recognizing that ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.

Volunteer leaders must discern when to say ‘yes’ or kindly respond with ‘no’ when it is beyond their capacity, ensuring their service is sustainable and remains joy filled. We’ll explore what it looks like to establish healthy boundaries supported by practical strategies that are rooted in the wisdom from Scripture.

Follow this roadmap to advocate for balance between work and rest.

Volunteer Ministry Leaders: Understanding Healthy Boundaries in Ministry

Self-reflection is key. It is a healthy practice for leaders to regularly assess their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Are there signs of fatigue or frustration? Identifying these early allows for proactive boundary-setting, ensuring sustained and impactful ministry. 

One main challenge when defining healthy boundaries for volunteer ministry leaders is balancing the ministry’s needs with their capacity to meet those needs. According to a survey done in 2022 by The Do Good Institute of the University of Maryland, nearly 65% of volunteer leaders report an increase in demand for their organizational services and feel overwhelmed due to their multifaceted responsibilities. Setting realistic expectations for staff and volunteers is the first step toward cultivating an environment where everyone can thrive.

For staff, this involves clear communication regarding workloads and regular check-ins to assess stress levels. Volunteers—who are often juggling myriad roles—must understand that it’s okay to say ‘no’ and that their well-being is crucial for longevity and impact. Establishing boundaries in roles and responsibilities is not just practical—it’s essential for playing the long game to build toward lasting change and accomplish set goals.

Staff and volunteers who communicate openly about their boundaries can enjoy more job satisfaction, emphasizing the pivotal role of clear communication in fostering a healthy ministry environment.

Strategies for Maintaining Healthy Boundaries

Let’s get practical. Creating an environment that promotes healthy boundaries requires intentional effort from ministry leaders and volunteers. 

• Open communication: Encourage open communication within teams where volunteer leaders can voice concerns and limitations without fear of judgment. Ask about how they are doing and where they need leadership support. Thank them often and let them know how much they are valued. 

• Structured schedules: Implementing structured schedules and realistic expectations helps volunteers manage their time efficiently. Stress levels can increase when roles are ambiguous. Being clear is kind. Creating structure and clear expectations allows volunteers to commit confidently and enthusiastically.

• Pay attention to signs of burnout: Attuned leaders identify signs of burnout among their team, intervening proactively and offering support when needed. If you notice a volunteer is feeling overwhelmed, ask them how they are doing and in what specific ways they need help. 

• Work hard, rest often: An essential strategy to avoid burnout is creating a culture that values rest. Rest is a physical necessity and a biblical principle. Exodus 20 instructs us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. When ministries embody this practice, leaders, paid staff, and volunteers follow suit and find health and joy in their serving.

Boundaries are a delicate dance, and missteps can happen. The good thing about a boundary is that it isn’t permanent; it can change. Boundaries can shift if too rigid or too lax. When putting boundaries in place, try to avoid setting unrealistic expectations, overcommitting, or neglecting personal well-being for the sake of ministry. Healthy boundaries strengthen, instead of hindering, our ability to serve effectively.

Avoiding Burnout

Burnout looms when passion turns into exhaustion. To avoid this pitfall, leaders must prioritize self-care. Regularly evaluating workloads, taking breaks, and seeking support are crucial steps. Additionally, nurturing a culture where leaders feel empowered to ask for help ensures that no one bears the burdens of ministry alone.

The Gospel narrative in Luke highlights Jesus withdrawing to solitary places for prayer (Luke 5:16). Encourage volunteers to prioritize rest and engage in stillness, silence, and solitude. A person cannot pour from an empty cup; that is a recipe for burnout. Following the model Jesus set to spend time in quiet with the Father first—to be filled up before pouring out—is an example of a healthy and sustainable ministry practice.

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

Beyond the Boundaries: Spiritual Practices for Volunteer Ministry Leaders Wanting Renewal

As we learn to navigate our boundaries and honor the boundaries of those on our teams, it’s crucial to recognize that boundaries go beyond schedules and commitments. Boundaries are an invitation extended to each of us to deepen our trust in God. 

Incorporating spiritual practices into our lives is not just a luxury—it’s necessary for maintainability in ministry.

The busyness of our lives often drowns out the whispers of God. Encouraging volunteer leaders to embrace stillness, silence, and solitude allows them to reconnect with their spiritual core. Creating intentional moments of quiet reflection can be revolutionary in a world where constant connectivity is prized.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

This is not just a suggestion but a command. It is a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of dual relationships of leading in a ministry role. Incorporating stillness into our daily lives is a powerful strategy for maintaining healthy rhythms.

A Journey of Balance

Establishing healthy boundaries is a journey, not a destination. By embracing realistic expectations, fostering open communication, and prioritizing rest and spiritual practices, volunteer ministry leaders and church staff can navigate the complexities of their roles with grace and resilience. Celebrate small victories, learn from challenges, and lean into the supportive community around you.

As leaders and volunteers, let’s continue to lead and serve, incorporating dedication, compassion, and a commitment to a well-balanced life where we work hard and rest often.

Liked this article? Here’s another one from Connie!

As a mom of two grown sons, gaining two precious daughters through marriage has been a tremendous gift. But WOW—a granddaughter—be still me heart!

Stepping into the reality that my grown child now has a child began my own season of reflection. I’d reflect on what it means to be a grandparent who shows up with significance. I was more than willing to buy up the toy aisle and babysit last minute. But what I found myself asking was more along the lines of ‘How and where can I intentionally make a difference in her life?’

But an even bigger ‘aha’ moment was asking myself questions like ‘How do I want to be remembered?’ and ‘What lasting impact can I make?’ 

GULP! The recognition that this line of thinking was about legacy deeply surprised me. While these are questions that followers of Christ often (and should) ask as points of reflection in our spiritual walk, it was humbling to recognize how important this had become for me as part of generational impact.

Grandparents Have Unique Opportunity & Perspective

Grandparents have a unique opportunity and responsibility to be a testimony to the next generation.

One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty —
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works —
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

Psalm 145:4–6 (NIV)

These verses demonstrate the beauty of multi-generational relationships. For the younger generation to declare the greatness of God, we need the generations who have come before. We need to speak of God’s awesome works. And we need to tell how He showed up and worked in our lives, always remaining faithful.

At the heart, grandparenting is discipleship.  What a gift it has been to embrace this role. And what a joy to provide lasting impact to the generations that come after us. And I hope I am just getting started!

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Grandparents in Children’s Ministry

When we translate all that to our children’s ministries, we can see that as leaders we sit in a unique position to empower the whole family of God. We get to encourage investing in children and strengthen the church for generations to come—especially grandparents!

So, what can it look like to engage grandparents as part of a multi-generational volunteer team? Here are a few practical points I believe can help us build for the future!       

1. Recognize the Potential in Grandparents

Serving in children’s ministry is the perfect place for people of all ages to feel welcome and witness the difference they can make by volunteering. For older generations, this can be especially appealing. Why? Grandparents are often looking for connection and a sense of continued Kingdom purpose. They have such value!

These people have raised their own kids, done the carpools, and are often in an ‘empty nesting’ phase. They have a whole new layer of transition as they look for renewed purpose. Our culture can undervalue and marginalize older people in general. So reminding a grandparent of what they can share as a ‘seasoned’ person of faith is rich for all those blessed to be around them—especially the kids in your ministry!

Being encouraged to step up and step in can mean a lot. So breathe life into a grandparent and elevate your volunteer staff all at the same time!

2. Understand the Relationship

When we are recruiting volunteers, we are often called to get out of our comfort zone and our immediate sphere to meet new people around us. And depending on where you are in your own stage of life, recruiting on the other side of the generational gap might be challenging for you.

However, building relationships is a key to developing any good volunteer plan, so embrace it and take that vulnerable first step by getting to know people of all ages in your church. There are many opportunities for older generations to get involved.

Knowing who is open to serving and then developing the right role for them will go far. Some grandparents may desire a role that does require them to be up front teaching or to get on the floor with toddlers. Others might love the opportunity to lead your team of greeters or teach lessons.

By getting started and having the conversations, you will be on your way to building a team of all ages that will be a gift to you, your church, and your community!

3. Embrace the Reality

Let’s face it, many people worry that serving in kids’ ministry means they will feel obligated to stay indefinitely. We all know that person who is thinking “I’d love to serve in kids’ ministry, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get to leave!” And you know what … grandparents are the same.

So when you recruit grandparents, build in the same best practices you already have for defining volunteer roles. And be sure to express where you see their unique gifting making a difference on the team.

Provide a clear list of responsibilities, the expectations of the role, and the timeframe for the role. Consider an ‘obligation-free’ opportunity to experience kids’ ministry by shadowing another volunteer.

As a generation that often sees Gen Alpha as being all about the cool factor and technology, giving grandparents an opportunity to see a classroom or worship service in action is a great way to demonstrate the timeless of the Gospel. And it will amplify the opportunity to build deep, personal one-on-one relationships as an essential ingredient for transforming lives and building resilient disciples!

4. Equip Grandparents for Success

There is a saying, ‘know your audience.’ The advice seems reasonable and intuitive enough—right? However, we can easily overlook this if we are not aware of where our volunteers are coming from.

And I would say that is especially the case here.

Not all grandparents are going to be up on cultural trends (good or bad) or savvy with the latest technology. (Although be prepared to be surprised!) Some will have definite views on what it means to discipline today’s kids and what their attention span should be by a certain age.

Consider modifying the onboarding process you have for equipping volunteers to be intentional with what you specifically want grandparents to know. By equipping them with the resources and information they will need to understand today’s kids, you are equipping everyone for success!

What a great reminder we have in the Bible that grandparents can make the best volunteers!

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God…

Psalm 78 5-7a (NIV)

God has set forth a plan for teaching the generations, and it involves grandparents—they are a significant part of His plan. What a privilege and high calling we have as leaders to bring this forward and empower the whole family of God to invest in sharing the Gospel with children. 

That question can strike fear in the hearts of many children’s ministry leaders. We measure how our weekend will go by the number of open spots in our schedule. We may even measure our self-worth by those empty spaces.

And of those filled spaces, how many of those leaders have given you cause to be concerned about their level of commitment? They may have a record of calling in sick at the last moment. Or maybe you can’t have them lead a group or interact with parents because you are concerned with their attitude or lack of enthusiasm for the ministry.

The fact is, volunteering has been on the decline in the last three years. I would compare it to a slow leak—something you might not notice it right away. But as people start to lose interest, check out of serving, pull back their scheduled time, and eventually feel “called to focus on themselves,” our ministries suffer.

As more people check out, it’s easy as a ministry leader to want to check out too.

Check Back in with Your Volunteers

The start of a new ministry year is a great time to “repair” those leaks! Even if your own or your volunteers’ enthusiasm and vision for ministry feels low and slow, you can help your team fill back up and check back in.

Check back in with God.

What is the focus of your weekly emails to your teams or your pre-service meetings? Do you use those tools to fix their eyes on Jesus, or to fix their eyes on the curriculum?

While the curriculum is important, I would speculate that if you put the main focus on God in those precious moments, your kids would encounter God, just as your leaders have each week. And isn’t that the goal?

I have yet to see a mission statement that says “Our mission is to get through the small group questions and a craft each week.” However, I do see a lot of mission statements that state, “Our mission is to make passionate disciples of Jesus,” or “to help our kids meet Jesus.”

Helping your leaders to be passionate disciples and to meet Jesus, will multiply the impact of those mission statements!

This also means you may need to make sure your volunteers are attending church services and engaging in their own spiritual growth. Be sure to check in with them about their own spiritual growth. And while you’re at it, check in on your own growth and engagement in the church body as well.

Check back in with you.

Many volunteers slowly leave because they don’t feel connected to the person leading them. They want to feel connected to the ministry leader. Volunteers need to know that you’re not simply viewing them as a means to an end—they may need to know you care about them.

It is a good practice to occasionally ask the question, “What is it like to be on the other side of me?”

How does it feel to be led by you?

I have encouraged our staff team to make it a regular practice to use a simple volunteer “check in” tool. We ask four questions of our volunteers:

• What is going well?
• What do you have questions or concerns about?
• What is not going well or is frustrating to you?
• How can we pray for you?

These four questions allow volunteers to express where they are, and it allows a personal response from the ministry leader.

Making an Impact in Your Children’s Ministry

Why Your Curriculum Matters and How to Choose the Right One
This guide was created to help you dive into some of the topics facing your ministries today and lead into why your curriculum matters and how to choose the right one depending on your needs.

Download Your Guide

Free Guide

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout

There are moments in every leader’s journey that defines whether they move forward or give up. Things happen, life gets hard, and opportunities come and go. Download this guide to be encouraged in your leadership walk with the Lord!

Download your ministry burnout guide

Free Guide

Check back in with themselves.

The other day our Executive Pastor raised a question, “Why does why ride shotgun to what?”

Think about that question for a moment—is your why in the driver’s seat of what you do? Or is the what—the programs, the weekly tasks—driving your ministry?

For some people, tasks are invigorating—they will happily check boxes all day long.

But eventually, most people they need a reason for what they are doing. What is your why? Can you define it for yourself? Have you ever brought your volunteers back to a place where they remember what motivates them in ministry?

A new ministry year is a perfect time to rally your volunteers and ask them to write down their reason for volunteering in kids’ ministry. If they can’t recall why, remind them. If you have it, look up their original application where you asked them why they wanted to serve.

Put the why you serve kids back in the driver’s seat for your volunteer leaders!

Check back in with their team.

No man is an island in children’s ministry. Our volunteers should be in community with people who serve alongside them. When a volunteer feels connected to the people they serve alongside, they are more likely to stay engaged in the ministry for a longer period of time.

Create spaces where people feel the camaraderie of a team.

A few years ago, we realized that because we train all of our volunteers in safety, security, and other procedures when we onboard them, we should use our annual volunteer training as a rally point to cast vision and encourage connection.

We now train via an online platform when we need to communicate policy and procedure. That allows us to use times we gather volunteers to cast vision, encourage, have fun together, and connect volunteers to others who serve and have the same passions and calling they do.

As we move into a new season of ministry, these simple ways to check in will help you keep your volunteer team from checking out!

We often speak about ways to appreciate or express gratitude for volunteers. There is such great value in prioritizing this. Those who serve on our teams deserve recognition and admiration for the work they do. There is no denying the importance of volunteer appreciation.

However, what if we take this value one step deeper? What if we went beyond valuing volunteers for what they do, and instead intentionally showing them that we value them for who they are?

Building and sustaining a healthy volunteer team will take more than appreciating your volunteers, it will take honoring them.

Honoring Volunteers

When I hear the word honor, my mind paints the picture of bowing down before someone. Maybe your mind thinks of something heroic or dramatic. This does not always have to be the case. To honor someone means to show them respect or to show them that you greatly value them. This can be done in the ways that we show up for others every day.

There is a key difference here. Appreciating a volunteer is a way of showing them that you value the work that they contribute to your ministry. Honoring a volunteer shows you value who they are, not just what they do.

This seems like a simple concept, and it is! But it is not always easy. In the midst of volunteer shortages and needs, it can be easy for us to slip into a mindset of caring more about how our volunteers can fill our ministry needs than we do about who they are.

Honoring our volunteers starts by trusting that God has a plan and a purpose for each of them in His Big Story. His wonder lives in each of them.

Volunteers are More Than What They Do on Sunday

This seems easy enough to accept, but it can become challenging in a moment where a volunteer needs to draw a boundary or chooses to take a break from serving.

These moments sometimes sound like, “I’m sorry, I wish I could help out on Sunday! But I have plans to go to a family member’s birthday brunch” or “Work has been a lot lately. I think I need to step back from volunteering for a month to care for myself.”

These are the small moments when we all have the opportunity to recognize the priorities our volunteers have outside of our ministries and encourage them selflessly. My advice—cheer them on in what matters to them, even when it’s inconvenient! Remember, healthy teams need healthy volunteers.

As in any other area of their life, we want our volunteers to model God honoring lives in all areas. This includes caring for themselves and stewarding their priorities well.

Here are 3 ways to begin honoring volunteers:

1. Expand Your Conversation

How often do we fall into the trap of being satisfied with surface-level conversions with our volunteers? Or just sticking to conversations about their serving role?

Let’s move beyond Sunday morning small talk and become great question-askers. Our volunteers will feel valued when we show up to see them and seek to know them.

2. Respect Their No

There will be times when your volunteers let you down. It is not helpful of us to expect that our volunteers will be able to fill every need, every time. It is helpful to remember that your volunteers have families, jobs, friends, and commitments outside of their serving role.

Seeking to show respect and grace when a volunteer sets a boundary is a greatly important way to honor them and their needs.

3. In Honoring Volunteers, Encourage Their Growth

While we often focus on helping volunteers grow in their serving role and leadership, we often forget to prioritize what is most important. Investing in the spiritual growth of our volunteers is vital to the spiritual growth of our kids.

A team of volunteers that is actively growing in obedience will not only be able to teach what God’s Word says, but they will also be living it! This value may change the focus on some of your volunteer huddles, training, and one on one conversations. Encourage them in the wonder of God.

Show Up Consistently

As you read over these three ideas, they may seem daunting. Honoring someone is not always as easy as throwing together a thank-you gift or asking the senior pastor to give your team a shout-out from the pulpit. To show someone that we value them, we need to think about how we consistently show up for them.

The impact of a ministry leader who honors their volunteers is evident as soon as someone steps foot in the doors of your ministry. In my experience, volunteers who feel honored show a greater level of optimism, commitment, and ownership in the ministries they serve.

As a result of feeling valued, their desire to be a part of Kingdom work tends to grow and grow!

I’ll close by saying this: honoring your volunteers is not always easy. I give you full permission to admit that, and I have felt the same way.

Over time, I have found that by choosing to honor volunteers on my team, our relationships have strengthened. I see more of an openness for volunteers to come to me as a friend. And as I think we have all experienced, leading ministry is such a joy when you are amongst friends.

2, 4, 6, 8! Who do we appreciate? VOLUNTEERS!

Download this printable infographic and hang it in your office! A reminder for giving thanks is a good thing to keep around.

Download your free infographic

Infographic

To do this well, you need to develop an intentional model of doing ministry with kids and volunteers. Instead of focusing on doing ministry to and for the people around you, focus on doing this with God and with others. Imagine what would happen!

Equipping Volunteers

Equipping with Language

Giving our volunteers language for ministry with kids is important. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is the team on the same page?
• Are we really speaking the same language when it comes to vision, mission, and goals?
• Do we have theological guideposts we follow in leading children?

Equipping with Discipleship

A strategy for discipleship involves knowing where you’re going and what you’re aiming for. As you are equipping your volunteers in this area, ask yourself these questions:

• What’s the vision for our ministry?
• Where do I want the team to go?
• What do I want the children to walk away with?

Equipping Volunteers with Encouragement

Frequently remind your volunteers of what an awesome job they are doing. Many times burnout takes place from lack of acknowledgement and care. Remind each person in your ministry of the importance of growing their own intimate relationship with God.

Leading from an overflow of their own relationship with God models for kids what it looks like to find their place in God’s Big Story.

Equipping with Training

There are all kinds of resources our there to equip your volunteers with training—virtually or in person, paid or free. You can choose from blog posts, emails, newsletters, text messages, videos, conferences and more.

One-on-one and small group training methods you can use to model exactly what you’re looking for!

Read further on equipping volunteers at the article here.

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

If you listened in on any given week, you would think we had no one to hold babies, teach kids, go to camp with middle schoolers, greet people, run video cameras, or serve at the local food bank.

The truth is, we have volunteers. We just don’t have enough volunteers. We really never should have enough, because as we have more people in our ministries as we reach more people for the Kingdom, we need more volunteers to help us.

As we need more volunteers to help us, we offer more people the opportunity to grow as disciples of Jesus. This means they will invite more people, and we will have more people in our ministries. This means—we need more volunteers!

Positive Spin on a Desperate Situation

After a drought of people in 2020, we saw a return to church in 2021. Studies have shown that about two-thirds of churchgoers came back to church by the spring of 2021.

But there may be a group of people, many of whom were your key volunteers, who are just not going to come back to your church. Many of them were mature believers who gave and served. Their absence means that most of the growth you are now experiencing may be people who are new to your church or new to faith. And they may not be ready to serve.

While calling increased numbers and new families the cause of the problem puts a positive spin on the situation, I’m sure you are as painfully aware as I am that it doesn’t address the problem. So how can we prevent losing our precious volunteers who have answered the call to serve?

Treat them like gold.

I once had the husband of one of my volunteers carefully place a tiny vial containing a shiny piece of rock in my palm one Sunday. He closed my hand around it. “Do you know what that is?” he asked me.

When I told him I didn’t, he said, “That’s gold. I’ve been a business owner for a long time. I can tell you it costs more to recruit, hire, and train a new employee than it does to keep one you have. This is to remind you to treat the volunteers you have like precious gold, so they will never want to leave your ministry.”

We know this. We appreciate people, give them gifts, and say thank you. But do we truly treat them as something precious to us? Do we stop and look them in the eye and tell them the things that we see in them?

The person who fulfills their serving role each week feeling treasured, precious, and known is more likely to return the next week—and to bring friends along with them.

Value their time and commitment.

Remembering that it is easier to keep a current volunteer than to recruit a new one, be considerate about how you engage someone’s time in ministry. Allow them to communicate scheduling needs by making it easy to do so. Send out your schedule for the month early enough that they can let you know when they won’t be able to come.

If you see someone serving once a month who could grow in their faith by serving twice a month, call that out in them. We once decided to invite our current volunteers to “Serve 3.” This meant we wanted them to serve 3 more times in a year.

We even gave them a special t-shirt for doing it. It might look like picking up an extra service time on a weekend when we needed help or serving for an additional Easter service.

That simple ask just 3 times a year showed our team we valued them, their commitment to serve, and the time they gave. Many of our team increased their serving because they experienced that increased fulfillment. Most of the volunteers who took us up on it are still our most committed volunteers to this day!

Cast your big vision and show them our big God.

Our volunteers love our church, and they serve in our church because of that love. What keeps them serving is their call and commitment to make passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. Our volunteer t-shirts used to just say “KidsWorld,” but this year we made a change. They now say, “Making Passionate Disciples,” which is part of our mission statement.

I wanted our volunteers to not just be committed to KidsWorld. I wanted them to actually clothe themselves with the vision of what we are called to do. It’s easier to walk away from a place than a biblical calling to make disciples.

And making disciples matters. It means that on those days when our ratios are all out of whack and rooms are chaotic, we remember we are making passionate disciples. When student volunteers are acting their age when we want them to act like adults, we remember we are making passionate disciples.

When parents are late because they were with our prayer teams—and we are tired and hungry and ready to go home—we remember we are making passionate disciples.

I used to pray for the exact right number of kids for the number of volunteers we had for that day. But now I pray that God would surprise us. I ask Him to give each of our leaders exactly what they need in order to know they are making passionate disciples that day, whether that is a quiet encounter with one child or a moment when things are so chaotic that the lesson will only work if God shows up in a big way.

Those are the moments that will keep our volunteers coming back.

Get feedback.

Treasure your volunteers enough to be ready to hear the hard things about your ministry and your leadership. I have used a simple red/yellow/green feedback system in the past. It helped my volunteers to feel valued. They would fill out a form that asked for three types of feedback.

The red feedback involved things that were a problem that might cause them to stop serving. Yellow feedback was for things that were confusing or questions they had that were creating caution in their serving. The green feedback was about things that were going great and what they wanted to continue to move forward on.

I also asked them for prayer requests and one goal for their serving in the next ministry year. I responded personally to each concern and question. This included me sometimes sitting in on their small group to observe. Sometimes I took them to coffee for some specific coaching. I affirmed the things that were going great. We then prayed and planned for their goal for the next year.

When volunteers feel valued and trusted enough to be asked for feedback, it helps close the “back door” of serving. They might then look forward to what God might accomplish with and through them!

You can do all these things and still lose volunteers. Even so, please know that God loves your church. He loves your ministry and the kids you serve even more than you do. He knows you, He loves you, and He leads you as you lead those entrusted to you.

If He calls you to it, He will help you to do it. He will use the people you specifically pray for to shepherd the children He gives you.

Occasionally, Nathanael will let me tend to my phone. But every once in a while, he reaches for my hand or grabs my cheek and gently swings my head in his direction. He looks into my eyes, and I say, “I’m back!” More than anything else, he wants to know that I’m listening. That I’m present. That I love him. That I care. And nothing can communicate that more than my undivided attention.

Jesus As Our Example

As leaders in children’s ministry, there is MUCH that requires our attention. One of the areas that often gets neglected is caring for our leaders. They are grown adults or even teenagers who require little direction. Because of this, we often get focused on other areas that need more of our leadership, guidance, and focus.

We can rely on Jesus as our example and our motivation. The truth is, Jesus spent a lot of time caring for His leaders. As followers of Christ and teachers of the gospel, we are called to care for our leaders. It is what Christ did while He walked with His disciples.

In one of the last conversations that Jesus had with Peter, His appointed leader after He would ascend back to heaven, He reminded Peter of his calling: feed my sheep (John 21). Jesus calls us to do the same. We should tend to our leaders’ needs, oversee their spiritual growth, and encourage and challenge them in their ministry and spiritual journey.

Jesus was raising up the next generation of disciples—isn’t that what we’re called to do as leaders as well? Jesus prayed with His leaders, ate with them, taught them, and encouraged them. Let’s take a look at what this can look like for us as children’s ministry leaders.

Jesus Prayed with and for His Leaders

In John 17, Jesus asked the Father to protect His leaders, give them joy, and unify them through the Word. Jesus knew His leaders, their mission, and what they would struggle with. He asked the Father to guard them against all evil.

When we know what our leaders are facing in ministry as well as in their personal lives, we are called to unite with them in prayer. Recently, I had a leader share some pretty difficult struggles concerning her aging parents. I felt helpless because there was literally nothing I could do. I offered to pray with her, and she reminded me prayers are just what she needed!

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is from Philippians: “In every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Pray with and for your leaders that their hearts are guarded with God’s peace.

Jesus Shared Meals with His Leaders

My favorite thing to do with leaders is to eat with them. Jesus did, so no guilt there! Nothing unites leaders quite like food or good coffee. At the beginning of the Christmas season, we have a leader brunch in between our Sunday morning services and invite all our leaders to bring their families.

Everything is provided by the parents of the kids we serve, so we can say “thank you” for leading throughout the year. It’s a festive atmosphere with Christmas music playing and staff enjoy mingling around the tables while families eat together.

We also gift leaders with an ornament for their Christmas tree as a small token of our gratitude. Get your leaders together at least once a year to share a cup of coffee or a meal. Take the opportunity to personally thank them for their service and continue to build relationships!

Jesus Spent Time with His Disciples

As leaders, we are called to do the same. Lead by example. Pour into leaders what you want to see from them and equip them to do the work you’ve asked them to do. We try to do all these things throughout the year in various ways.

We send monthly emails with tip videos, encouragement, and any information we want them to know about the upcoming month. Before any ministry event or program, we gather leaders ahead of time to pray with them. We equip them for the night, and occasionally teach about a topic that’s been concerning our church, community, or families.

As often as we can, we jump in to teach and lead right alongside our leaders. This helps build morale, lead by example, and often helps us learn from our leaders new and fun ways they’re engaging the kids!

Jesus Encouraged His Leaders

I’m not sure why, but this is the area I struggle with the most! After a ministry night or event finishes, I typically mind myself sitting at my desk or driving home and praising God for the AMAZING leaders I have. But I am always in awe.

Take the next step with me and SHARE that encouragement with your leaders! Send a personal text, email, phone call, or handwritten note to your leaders when you see them do something you’d like to emulate. Build this habit into your regular routine—everyone benefits from regular encouragement.

When your leaders experience tough times, either personally or in ministry, share with them this truth from Jesus. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

When we take the time to care for our leaders, we are modeling how Jesus cares for His people. Building trusting relationships will strengthen our ministries.

Be intentional about how you care for your leaders. Follow the example Jesus laid out for us. And take heart—Jesus has overcome the world!

In all, the unexpected fire caused more than $1 billion of damage and started a renovation process that could last for years. 

You probably remember seeing images of the fire on national news, and perhaps you wondered, “How are they going to rebuild Notre Dame?” 

It seems like a daunting task, but many experts are working together, and funds are being raised because the people of France decided almost immediately that it was worth rebuilding.

In some ways, our ministries are like Notre Dame. Like a fire in the night, COVID came as an unexpected catastrophe that immediately and drastically altered the ministry we had poured ourselves into day after day. Those who stayed in ministry were left asking, “How will we rebuild our children’s ministry?” 

If you’re reading this, then take heart because there is a community of leaders who love Jesus, love kids, and passionately believe that children’s ministry is worth rebuilding! You are a part of that community!

So, how will we build our children’s ministry? Volunteers are the lifeblood of children’s ministry, so it makes sense to begin with building and strengthen our volunteer teams.

Here are 4 ideas to reconstruct your team to be better than before and last longer than ever!

Building Your Volunteer Team

1. Recruit with Relationships to Build Relationships

A 2021 study from the Harvard Graduate School of Education found that more than a third of all Americans experience “serious loneliness.” This feeling of loneliness increased dramatically during COVID, and this has left many people craving relationships.

One of the ways to build your volunteer team is to recruit with relationships. Set up coffee or lunch with members of your church. Befriend them. Get to know them and their interests. Focus on meeting their need for friendship before you try to recruit them to meet your needs in ministry. 

As you get to know them better, invite them to use their gifts, interests, or talents in ways that help the ministry. Let them know that you’d love for them to serve with you in ministry, but make sure you want their friendship more than anything—and make sure they know that. 

Before 2020, most children’s ministry advisors would say to recruit with vision and let potential volunteers know the ministry need. The shift from that year has given us an opportunity to meet the needs of others by building relationships and then showing them how serving kids is a way to build even more relationships.

2. Provide More Training in More Ways When Building Your Volunteers

There is likely a strong core of volunteers who remained on your team through everything you faced. The perseverance of these volunteers shows how invested they are in making disciples of the next generation. It can remind you how much you need to invest in them.

The volunteers on your team need training now more than ever. Kids may be attending less often, so how can they build healthy relationships with the decreased time they have? Kids are missing valuable opportunities to learn Bible stories and engage in worship. How can these leaders be more creative in their presentation of God’s Word?

Families have radically changed—changed jobs, changed homes, changed schools. So how can we better equip parents for disciple-making in the home? What tools can we provide for them?

These are all questions your volunteers are asking—if not out loud at least in their heads. They would love for you to provide training on these and other topics. This is where we find at least one blessing from the shift in 2020.

The pandemic season taught us to be resourceful and creative in getting content out of our churches and into our communities. Churches that had no online presence quickly became experts on YouTube, Facebook, and Zoom. All of these are great tools for providing training to your volunteers!

Set up a closed Facebook group for volunteers to share advice, ask questions, and receive training tips from your ministry. Use YouTube to host training videos that volunteers can watch when it’s convenient for them. Host a training or prayer huddle on Zoom for your volunteer team to continue growing.

The pandemic taught us—and the people we lead—how to use technology to connect and to work. This technology is also a good solution to keep your team trained and equipped for the work of ministry.

3. Share Stories that Remind Leaders of Their Why

As you rebuild your volunteer team, remember to build back with the right vision and priorities. Before, most ministry leaders were over-communicating details and under-communicating stories. We were handing out a lot of the “What” of ministry, but our leaders need to be reminded of the “Why.”

If the mission of your ministry is to help kids know and grow in the truth of Jesus, then those who serve in the ministry need to hear stories of when and how this mission is being accomplished.

The stories don’t have to be dramatic. It can be as simple as a hallway conversation one child had with their parent to repeat what they learned in their class. Volunteers need to hear and celebrate that this child is growing in the truth of Jesus! 

Set up a way to collect stories that reflect the mission of your ministry from volunteers. Share these stories publicly as often as you can. The Greek philosopher Plato once said, “What is honored in a country is cultivated there.” In other words, you cultivate what you celebrate.

If you want leaders to be invested in the mission of your ministry and be all-in for reaching the dreams you feel God has laid on your heart, then celebrate every little moment that shows the ministry is getting closer to that vision.

4. Build Your Volunteers by Showing Appreciation in Meaningful Ways During Meaningful Moments

When you have stronger relationships with your leaders, you can celebrate them in more meaningful ways at meaningful moments.

If you have fewer volunteers now, you should be able to appreciate them in more personal ways. A birthday gift on their porch, an anniversary card, or a meal when they’re sick—these are just some of the new ways to show appreciation through relationships. 

If you have more volunteers now, you can still focus your appreciation efforts on meeting their needs and celebrating them. Since we know relationships are very needed, think relationally for your appreciation events.

Use your appreciation budget to host a meal or potluck where volunteers can connect with each other. Host a game night, craft night, or service project to get volunteers together for quality time. 

The year 2020 forced us all to slow down and think more about the relationships that mattered to us. For months, those closest to us were the only people we got to spend time with, but we didn’t mind because we liked the intimacy we felt when we gathered.

It may not be the same as family, but you can create appreciation moments that nurture this type of relationship for your volunteer team. We always want to give them something they’ll want or something they’ll use … what’s more useful and wanted than a good friend!

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Finding consistent rhythms of recruiting and developing leaders helps us equip volunteers for works of service that build up our faith community (Ephesians 4:11-12). And that results in the children in our ministry contexts being led by volunteers who are excited about, and in wonder of, God’s big story.

The Invitation

For some of us, recruiting can be intimidating. It can cause that nervous feeling in our stomachs. The thought of braving discomfort and rejection to ask someone to volunteer in the midst of their typically busy schedule isn’t easy. So, let’s offer an alternative term: inviting.

As you lead your team, there is always an opportunity to ask the question, “Who can I invite into this story?” God uses you and your team—with all of their strengths, weaknesses, imperfections, and general humanness—to accomplish His purposes.

Every person on your team has unique gifts, personality traits, and experiences. God uses it all to lead children to wonder about who He is. And while that’s already amazing in and of itself, He also pursues and refines your volunteers as they participate in your ministry.

Let this truth influence the way you think about “recruiting.” You have the unique opportunity to invite people into a community on a mission. This mission is led and empowered by God’s Spirit.

As you think practically about who to invite to your team, keep it simple. Here are three prompts to get started:

• Who is in your sphere of influence?
• Who is committed and actively engaged in the life of your church (or has a hunger to be)?
• Who is God placing on your heart and your mind?

God Provides

I have found myself needing to focus more attention on recruiting than usual (maybe you’re there too!). I spent time daily praying and reaching out to 10 people to invite them to the team. Of course, there were many “noes.” However, I was amazed at the ways God provided.

Relationships were deepened. Joy was found in inviting parents and friends into something that I deeply love and find purpose in. It proved to be an opportunity to trust and celebrate the ways God is at work in my community.

I have found that much of the intimidation of recruiting can come when we try to do the work in our own strength. When we partner with Him and follow His leading, this work becomes a story that tells of His goodness.

Once you’ve invited new volunteers onto your team, the exciting work of developing leaders begins. This can seem intimidating, especially if you have a large volunteer team. Developing leaders can be viewed as an invitation for a deeper partnership in ministry. This partnership can best utilize each volunteer’s unique gifts.

The best developing work that you do as a ministry leader will be a direct result of your intentionality in relationships. Developing volunteers is not a short process. It is deeply impactful to both the volunteers and the children you lead.

Volunteer Development

Here are a few questions to consider as you develop leaders on your team:

• Do I understand my volunteer’s gifts and passions?
• Do my volunteers understand their own gifts and passions?
• Who on my team am I investing time and energy into developing?
• What specific opportunities can I provide for my volunteers as I work to develop them as leaders?

There is wisdom in acknowledging our limits. I find it effective to invest in high-level volunteers. I equip them to partner with me in shepherding our team well. Your volunteers will benefit from having multiple leaders pouring into them and guiding them.

Creating a system of check-ins with volunteers at regular intervals can create needed accountability. These conversations may look like hearing each volunteer’s feedback about their serving role, asking how you can encourage and pray for them, and thinking through ways they can best utilize their gifts within the ministry.

Be Encouraged

As with anything, it’s easy for recruiting and developing to be discouraging when you’re in it alone. So, don’t be in it alone! Invite your current volunteers to join you. How fun would it be for your volunteers to regularly pray for the growth of your team? Or to celebrate new volunteers joining your team and support each other in opportunities for increased leadership?

I witnessed a great example of this a few weeks ago. There is a high school volunteer on my team who has teaching gifts and wisdom beyond her years. I invited her to think about leading our preschool large group teaching time.

When she showed up to try this out for the first time, our team cheered her on, affirmed her for trying this, and encouraged her with great feedback after service. What a way to build confidence and ownership in a young and capable leader!

Inviting people onto your team and developing their leadership is fun work to be a part of. Let this be an opportunity to intentionally seek growth for your team and trust that God is your faithful provider. As you lead your team into a mindset of inviting, your community will be one that is marked by unity in the mission of serving the next generation.

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families

Ministry coach Byron Ragains empowers you minister TO your volunteers, not just through them. It’s a game changer!

Download free guide

Free Guide

The people who gave me the gift told me that I must have been rich to be able to come all the way to visit from America. They wanted to remind me that—even on the hard days or when I have everything I needed—Jesus is enough.

This phrase has stayed with me throughout my ministry. So, I want to talk about that with you. Do you recognize that truth in your own life? And what about the volunteers who serve alongside you in ministry each week? Do they know that Jesus is enough for them?

Investing in Your Team

I remember back when I was part of student ministry. One of the adults at our church started building a relationship with me and invited me into serving in our kids’ ministry. That invitation changed my life. Can you think of someone who invested in you, built friendship with you, or discipled you in your faith journey?

Chances are if you’re reading this, your answer is yes! That is also my answer. I remember how my friend John invested in my faith journey. It resulted in me answering God’s call on my life to say yes to a life of ministry while walking with Jesus.

I love the people who serve with me on the team I lead. In all honesty though, early in ministry I was so overwhelmed that I used to think that if I had someone in each role showing up on time and teaching kids and keeping them safe, we would be good. I was checking boxes instead of seeing the people.

Then I realized that I had missed something! I missed that Jesus wanted something for me more than He wanted something from me. Although my job was to raise up the body of Christ to do the work of Christ, I needed to see where the body of Christ was … mentally, physically, and spiritually.

As we continue to walk with Jesus and the people who serve in ministry alongside us this side of the pandemic, more than ever, I see how exhausted people are. How overwhelmed they are by life and all it is throwing at them. It made me remember a few things to prioritize.

Encourage Your Team

God has equipped you to lead. Trust in that! There are a few things you can do to encourage your team.

Believe in Yourself and Your Team

God made you, you are good, and you have a purpose! Many people I serve with will start out saying, “I’m just a volunteer.” But no, you are a person who God loves and has designed with a purpose. You get to lead children into a life-changing relationship with Jesus.

I remember when I asked Dawn to serve with me in kids’ ministry. She about passed out. She told me kids weren’t for her, and it wasn’t her calling. I asked what her calling was. She said that she loved to lead adults. So, we found a place she could lead adults and students who were investing in the lives of children. She became a ministry coach.

Dawn is a superstar! She is an incredible shepherd of leaders and a recruiter for the life-changing mission of ministry. But it took time and a follow-up question for me to help Dawn see God’s calling and then His wonder when she was obedient.

The Gift of Jesus’ Love

Remind your leaders that Jesus loves them and through Him they have salvation—not because they serve in your ministry. Jesus’ love is an incredible gift. I am often reminded that we need to help our leaders receive God’s forgiveness and love.

The transformation that we get to witness when someone has embraced the love of Jesus for them is so contagious that they can’t help but share His love with others. It seems like a no-brainer, but we all come from different pasts and need to be reminded of this. And it’s not just in our kids’ ministry settings that we need to share this love. What are the conversations that we have during the week with those we spend time with?

Sharing the Love

Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and encourage you and help you become more like Jesus. Recently I was having a meal with some ministry leaders from our church. Kathy, one of our leaders, started a conversation with our server. Her engagement with our server encouraged me.

She started a conversation and asked great questions, not to share the gospel, but to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. She wanted to show Jesus’ incredible love with the person who was serving us. Her compassion, empathy, and the Holy Spirit at work in her life led to a beautiful openness. As a result, this person decided to visit our church. They were receptive to hearing about this Jesus that had changed Kathy’s life.

I pray for this boldness every day. For me and you. That we would experience Jesus’ love for us and be so compelled by the Holy Spirit to share His love with others we encounter.

Because Jesus is enough, because I am known by Him and loved by Him, I can tell of His wonder to those I encounter. So can you! My prayer for you right now is that you would experience His Holy Spirit in your life and that you will be compelled to be a wonder-filled reflection of God to the world this week.

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

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By focusing the training on God’s wonder, volunteers will better understand their purpose in His story. Training volunteers to grow in this perspective is an opportunity to lead intentionally, build deeper relationships, and acknowledge our dependence on God in the formation of tiny disciples.

The question then becomes, how do we do this? How do we train our volunteers with a focus on God’s wonder? We create rhythms and spaces for volunteers to wonder at God’s love for them and the ways He is using them. These rhythms create room for God to lead and the Holy Spirit to move.

As a result, volunteers become more confident leaders who understand their purpose in serving. They grow in awe and gratitude that God chooses them to participate in the pursuit of His creation. Here are 4 consistent rhythms to establish in order to train volunteers to wonder at God and their role in His story.

Share Stories

Sharing stories can be a powerful way to train volunteers to understand their purpose as a team. You may have your volunteers share their faith stories with each other. Or you may ask volunteers to simply share a moment when they saw God at work while they volunteered.

Even the simple act of sharing a story can draw a whole community to stand in awe of God. These moments help us acknowledge that God’s story changes every piece of our own.

Creating consistent rhythms of story sharing is key. In Scripture, we see God’s people being urged to “Remember the wonders He has done” (Psalm 105:5).

When we remember the good things God has done and is doing, we bring our focus and trust back to Jesus while we serve. As volunteers regularly participate in this, hearts will be filled with gratitude in serving a God who never stops renewing His creation.

In my own ministry context, I have seen a culture shift happen since beginning this rhythm. What once was a space consisting of long pauses and silences is now full of volunteers enthusiastically sharing. Hearing of partners in ministry witnessing God’s presence in their serving roles has created excitement around sharing.

Volunteers now come prepared to share these moments, and they look for God’s movement while they serve. As a ministry leader, I anticipate that you will stand in wonder of God while witnessing your volunteers’ stories encourage and resonate with each other.

Onboard Intentionally

What if we viewed onboarding new volunteers as an invitation for them to join a story with a greater purpose? If we want to create a culture of focusing on God’s wonder, then we must set the tone for this during our initial training with volunteers.

Investing time in knowing new volunteers’ stories and sharing God’s movement in your ministry will help align a volunteer’s heart with God’s as they come in to serve. Serving will be a wonder-filled experience when volunteers witness how God can use them to impact His Kingdom.

To support these training conversations, try asking questions that will lead a volunteer to wonder at how God might use them uniquely in ministry:

• “When you think about serving, what excites you?”
• “What do you do for fun?”
• “What gifts do you think God has given you, and how do you think He might want to use those gifts in children’s ministry?”

Explore Spiritual Gifts

As a ministry leader, you have the opportunity to call out gifts in your volunteers. You can provide opportunities to explore those gifts. When volunteers are trained to understand their gifts can be used by God in meaningful ways, they grow in wonder of how God will use them in His story.

Each time they serve, encourage them to seek to encourage and affirm one volunteer teammate. This is especially impactful if you have middle school and high school students on your volunteer teams.

I was once a high school volunteer myself. I still remember a fellow volunteer telling me, “You really connect with the kids naturally. It’s fun to watch you lead them!” Years later, God has used simple words like these to bring confidence in moments of doubt or insecurity.

Providing opportunities to explore spiritual gifts is another way to train volunteers to focus on God’s wonder. This can be a learning process of trial and error. The result will be volunteers who understand how their gifts can be used for God’s glory.

What a joyous image to think of those who serve as greeters praising God for the gift of hospitality He has given them. Or your large group storytellers praising God for the gifts of teaching and shepherding He is utilizing. When volunteers find themselves doing what they are uniquely gifted for, the only response is to worship God for the ways they have been created in His image.

Model Wonder

If we want to create a culture that is wonder filled, we must practice this as leaders. Practicing moments of God-focused wonder involves stillness, presence, and taking our focus away from ourselves. These are all counter-cultural concepts, which means that in order to walk in a wonder-filled culture, strong leadership is needed.

One way to create this space for yourself is to sit and reflect for ten minutes after weekend services or programs. In those ten minutes, it’s helpful to think about who you witnessed using their gifts when serving. Reflect on the God stories and sightings that were shared.

Think about where you witnessed answers to prayer, joyful worship, curious questions, and community being built. Then, pray with gratitude for the ways you have witnessed God’s story in your midst. Respond by encouraging volunteers via text/call/letter and sharing your praise with them.

In all of these things, God is pursuing your faith community. And He is using you and your volunteers in His story. As you train volunteers to focus on God’s Wonder, may you grow in trust and rest in your Father who is always working for you and for the kids you lead.

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

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What is a “win” when it comes to your volunteers? Does the ministry with the most volunteers win? Do you define a win as having every position covered on any given Sunday, even if some of your volunteers are essentially warm bodies? Is it a win when no one cancels last minute? Is it a win when your ministry is staffed, even if the rest of the church isn’t? 

Without a clear definition of our “win”, it is easy to adapt unhealthy mindsets. We lose sight of how our volunteers are created by God with a purpose and empowered to serve His church. We become laser-focused on what we need, rather than what is best for the kingdom as a whole.

Where to Focus

It is a win when we focus on the big picture and not just ourselves. I will never forget the day Kevin and Joey asked to talk to me. They were rock star volunteers. They helped in our kids’ worship environment.

These two jumped, they did motions, and they got all the upper elementary boys to do the same. You know how rare of a find these types of volunteers are!

Joey and Kevin informed me that they really wanted to move up to the middle school ministry the next school year. They had bonded with the fifth-grade boys and wanted to continue working with them.

Initially, I was devastated. All I could focus on was the major hole this would leave in our kids’ worship. Thankfully, God quickly showed me that this transition was a win. These guys were going to continue investing in the kids they had built relationships with while serving in kids’ worship.

I was focusing on myself. God wanted me to focus on the church as a whole. They moved up. Our ministry didn’t fall apart. New volunteers took their spots. Joey and Kevin ended up working with those boys all the way through their senior year. That is a win that my selfishness could have prevented. 

When we are only concerned about our own ministry, we are not leading well. God didn’t call children’s ministry to be an island. God has called us to lead our ministries as one piece of the larger vision and function of the whole church. Champion the church. Avoid functioning in isolation. Look for ways to intentionally partner with and support other ministries. 

Share, Don’t Hoard

It is a win when volunteers are shared, not hoarded. I’m sure you know about those shows about hoarders on TV. Their houses are crammed full of stuff that the owners are convinced they need. You would probably never consider yourself a hoarder of volunteers. You likely feel you will never have enough people serving. 

Have you ever caught yourself getting anxious when you see another ministry leader talking to one of your key volunteers? Maybe you’ve felt jealous when someone new connected to a ministry that wasn’t yours. Have you ever kept some church members isolated in your world? 

Once another staff member commented that I “always got all the good people.” I shrugged and inwardly took pride in that statement. In retrospect, it wasn’t necessarily a compliment. I was potentially hoarding volunteers rather than having a whole-church perspective. 

Work with your fellow leaders to establish an onboarding process that ensure the most essential spots throughout the church are filled with the right people. Look for ways to negate processes that encourage a “free for all” in recruiting volunteers. Work as a team to help people plug in.

Serving in the Sweet Spot

It is a win when volunteers are serving in their sweet spot—even if it isn’t in your ministry. One day as we discussed a significant ministry need in our church, I began to pray about who we could find to lead.

Pretty quickly I felt God answer me, but I didn’t like what I was hearing. The person He brought to my mind was one of “my” very best, most faithful volunteers. Obviously, God would not want her to move to another ministry. But over the next couple of weeks, I observed her a little more closely.

She was great, but it was also obvious she was not in her sweet spot of ministry. She was faithful, on time, and loved the kids, but her role was not the best fit for her gifts. The role we had been discussing was perfect for her. She was filling a spot and doing it as best she could. How much more would she thrive if she was serving where she was gifted? And how much more would God’s kingdom benefit from her serving in her strengths?

We must remember that our role is to equip the church to do the work of the ministry. God has given each person unique giftings, and our job is to help them find the very best place to utilize those gifts. 

It is a win when our teams see the big picture. A ministry in our church experienced some heavy turnover. We asked four of our faithful kidmin volunteers to leave us and step into another role for a season.

Not everyone was thrilled with this decision. Now they had to find other volunteers to fill those spots and train new people. It was the leadership’s job to help them see the bigger picture. 

Cast the Vision

As leaders, we must cast the vision for our teams that our goal is to serve the church as a whole. We have to fight against territorialism or “siloed” thinking. 

It is a win when we help transition people who need to do something different. Most people aren’t going to serve in our ministries for their whole lives. God may call volunteers to serve elsewhere for a season or to take a break altogether.

It is essential that we handle these situations with much grace and love. Celebrate the person. Celebrate what God is doing in their lives. Honor the hard choice they are making and help make the transition as easy as possible. 

Philippians 2:4 reminds us, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” In ministry, it is so easy to get caught in the trap of looking out for our own interests and not even see it because we know we are just trying to serve the Lord.

When we seek the best for our volunteers and for our church as a whole, we can make an even greater impact as we lead with the same attitude of Jesus. And that is the win.

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

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There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given to believers by the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. There are different ways the Spirit works. But the same God is working in all these ways and in all people…You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 27 NRSV

Using God’s Gifts

When we give leaders the opportunity to serve, we’re giving them a chance to fulfill the calling that God has placed on their lives. They can then use the gifts He’s given them. One of our one-on-one buddies to a child with disabilities described serving in this way:

“This little man is the best part of my Sunday! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of his life. He is such a blessing! I adore his joyful, loving nature!”

When leaders are serving, they are the hands and feet of Christ.

Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:11 NRSV

As a result, we do our very best to recruit, onboard, train and equip our leaders. Then they can make an impact that lasts, hopefully, for eternity.

5 Steps for Onboarding Leaders

Over the years I have organized the leader onboarding process into five steps:

Complete Online Registration

When someone expresses interest in serving in children’s ministry, we send them to our website. They will find a form to fill out that asks basic questions about their life, faith, and desire to serve.

One-On-One with Ministry Leader

Once we receive that form, our team reaches out to schedule a one-on-one with the potential leader. During this time, ministry leaders begin by walking through the leader handbook. Then they can assess their desire and ability to serve, and connect them to a ministry area.

Submitted Background Check

Assuming they’ll be leading in ministry, after the one-on-one, the potential leader is asked to submit to a background check (if they’re over 18). Those under 18 are asked for references.

Scheduled for First Serve

Once they clear the background check, the potential leader is scheduled for their First Serve. They’re given a name badge and paired up with a veteran leader for their First Serve experience.

During this experience, we want them to meet parents and other leaders. It is a great time to get to know the kids they’ll be serving. We also encourage them to observe the leader and write down any questions they might have for their First Month Check-In.

First Month Check-In

After the first month of serving, the ministry leader checks in to see how it went, addresses any challenges, celebrates any successes and helps the leader decide if this is the right fit.

Just Do It

The best way I have found to train leaders is by getting them right into serving in ministry. I pair new leaders with veteran leaders and get them serving as soon as they’re through the onboarding process.

In our Disability Ministry, there might be details we go through with a leader about a specific child before they’re on their own. However, we’ve really found the best way for leaders to learn what they’re going to do is to just do it. We always have staff circulating to provide support, and new leaders are paired with veteran leaders until we’re confident in their ability to lead on their own.

Encouragement Builds Morale

Once we have our leaders in place, we do things periodically throughout the year to help build morale, share vision, and encourage them. Sharing something as simple as thank you cards when we’ve seen how God is working in them, or mailing handwritten birthday cards letting them know they’re loved.

Celebrating leaders throughout the year goes a long way in letting them know we see them and love serving with them.

Monthly, before Sunday morning ministry starts, we serve a light breakfast and give time for leaders to share celebrations from the past month. This is also a time of training depending on needs or an opportunity that presented itself the month before.

In our monthly email to leaders, we highlight one volunteer and share the ways we’ve seen them grow. We also share tips, a short training, and upcoming events and dates so everything they need to know is in one place.

Quarterly, we thank leaders for their service with purposeful events. In the fall, we have a leader kick-off event with food, fun, and a time for vision casting so they can see how what they’re doing strengthens the family of God and builds His kingdom.

In early December, we invite them and their families to a brunch in between services on a Sunday. Food is provided by the families they serve. They receive words of encouragement left on placemats by staff. One of my favorites is quotes from kids throughout the year are framed as centerpieces. We also give them a small ornament to hang on their tree as a yearly reminder of their impact on the lives of families.

Growth Through Service

There is no doubt in my mind that the biggest reason we are able to see kids and families grow in faith is because of the amazing leaders we have in children’s ministry. People show up week after week to use their God-given gifts to shepherd children as they learn about Jesus.

Without these selfless leaders, the church could not reach the very people God has called us to transform through the power of His Holy Spirit.

I challenge all of us to continue to ask God to reveal to us how to best use leaders in a way that glorifies God through the use of their gifts. May we all be encouraged to open up opportunities for the body of Christ to grow as we serve His people!

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink

These truths are easy to miss in the hustle of ministry. How can you be intentional about seeing and engaging the wonder within your volunteers?

Get Personal

God loves each of your volunteers and created them for a purpose. You can affirm these truths by ministering to your volunteers as individuals.

We become so busy that we think of volunteers as groups or names on a spreadsheet or spots to be filled. Your time is limited, but you can create systems in which each volunteer feels loved and valued. 

Take your list of volunteers and divide it by 30. Put the names of a few volunteers on each day of the month. When that day comes along, take a few minutes to pray for those volunteers by name.

Send them a personalized note that lets them know you prayed for them and encourage them in God’s love. Send a text emphasizing the gifts of God you see in them. 

Make sure that you have structured your ministry so that others share in the role of caring for volunteers. Aim to have a director or coach for every twelve volunteers. Equip these leaders to be more involved with volunteers, looking for weekly opportunities to check in and encourage them.

You can’t see everything that happens in every classroom, but by equipping other “eyes,” your volunteers can receive more consistent encouragement and feedback. Provide regular checkpoints or reviews when a volunteer in your ministry sits down with a leader to hear what they are doing well and to be coached on how to grow. 

Love Well

By investing individually in your volunteers, you can encourage them in the love and purpose of God. You will have opportunities to love them as Jesus does.

Let’s be honest, there are some Sundays when loving volunteers is tough. Between last-minute callouts and unexpected complaints, love on a Sunday morning can be a challenge. But, God has entrusted you with these volunteers and calls you to lead them with the love of Jesus. 

What does that love look like? 1 Corinthians 13 is pretty clear. Love is patient. We understand that life gets in the way of service commitments sometimes, and we show grace when the call comes about the forgotten vacation or the sick child.

Love is kind. Even when we are stressed out on Sunday morning, we pause to speak kindly and seek to be friendly to those whom God has called to serve.

Love is not proud. We can love our volunteers by sometimes allowing them to help us and not being prideful in doing everything our own way.

It is not rude or demand its own way. We can love our volunteers by valuing their input and being flexible. 

Listen Expectantly

When we value volunteers’ input, we recognize that the Holy Spirit leads, encourages, and empowers them just like He does for us.

Seek opportunities for your volunteers to speak into the vision and direction of the ministry. And really listen. Not only will the Holy Spirit speak through them, but He will also help you discern how to utilize the feedback you are given. 

Regular surveys, focus groups, or “town hall meetings” are all avenues that give volunteers a voice. Regularly communicate to your volunteers that you are always willing to listen.

You obviously can’t do everything that every person wants. That would not be good leadership. However, you also can’t assume that as the leader you see and know everything.

Consult opinions on potential changes, especially when the changes impact the area in which volunteers are serving. Never forget that your volunteers are in the trenches. Your ministry will be more effective when you listen to what the Holy Spirit is showing them.

Celebrate Often

God is moving in your volunteers. How can you collect the stories of what He is doing in their classrooms and their lives? Perhaps these stories come from the regular check-ins you or your leaders make.

Get in the habit of asking for specific stories of how your volunteers see God at work. In meetings, ask for volunteers to share wins and refuse to continue the meeting until you’ve heard at least five stories. Train your volunteers to look for and speak up about God’s wonder in their own ministries. 

Once you know the stories, celebrate them. Share them with others. Include these God stories in your regular communication with your volunteers. Share them at meetings. Share them with your church staff.

Seek ways to share wins with the church as a whole. Equip your volunteers to share those stories. Create a culture that celebrates the wonder of God.

You have a lot to do. Lessons need to be prepared. Cabinets need to be stocked. Summer needs to be planned. All of those things are important.

But don’t let the tasks of ministry get in the way of truly enjoying the wonder of the incredible people God has created and empowered to serve alongside of you. Dwell in His wonder as you encourage that wonder in them.

The same is true for each of us. When God created us, He had a purpose in mind. He gave each of us everything we need to fulfill that purpose. 

Serving in ministry is a great way to utilize the gifts and talents God gives us to not only serve Him and others but to fulfill just a piece of our purpose. When we invite people to volunteer in ministry, we are inviting them to use their God-given gifts and talents to serve Him. We are opening a door of opportunity for them to live out a piece of their calling. 

Talents and Passions

Think for a moment about the skill sets and passions you have. These can range from organization to speaking, singing, or even making people smile. These are great ways to serve in ministry. But it doesn’t stop there.

Think of all the opportunities you have within your ministry for other people to be part of the vision. Are there groceries that need to be picked up for Wednesday evening meals? Is there someone in your church who loves to shop? Let them use that passion to serve. 

Do you need help setting up check-in stations for the Kids’ Ministry? Finding someone who is good with technology and enjoys working with electronics can be a real gift to the program and is a great opportunity for that volunteer to get plugged in by putting their interests to good use. 

What about the people in your church who love to build? Do you need a set for the new series you are starting soon? Leverage their talent and let them see how their gift can be used by God as part of a bigger plan. This is another great way others can use their talents to serve. God gave talents and passions to each of us, and we can use to serve Him. 

Be an Encouragement

By serving as part of a team, we get to make ministry happen. We help extend to others the love God has shown us. Through God’s love and mercy, we find salvation.

How can we use our gifts to help other people experience that same love and mercy in their lives? Aside from serving with our gifts in a ministry, we can be an encouragement to others simply by showing His love in the way we live out our life. What does this look like?

First and foremost, we must walk in a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 tells us we will see that relationship evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We should be walking in such a close relationship with Him that when others look at our lives, they see the fruit of the Spirit is overflowing. At this point love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control are evident in us. 

This not only encourages us but also empowers us to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. There is a confidence that we can dwell in when we know we are living out God’s plan for our lives. When we help others find that same relationship with the Holy Spirit and they encounter that same love and mercy, they will also be encouraged and empowered. 

Displaying God’s Story

It is when we live our lives in this way that we can truly know who we are and who God made us to be. Our lives should display His story each and every day. There is such encouragement and joy in knowing who you truly are and who God made you to be. I guarantee once you find that, you will find those gifts can also be used to empower and encourage someone else. 

Think of how powerful this can be. By walking alongside someone and helping them grow in their relationship with the Lord, we can help them find ways to use their God-given gifts in ministry. We were all created to serve God. He gives us everything we need to fulfill that calling. May we all recognize we are known and loved by God. May we live a life that is led by Him and speaks of His wonder. 

Wonder Ink

What if Sunday morning was just the starting point? Wonder Ink is a customizable digital curriculum and toolkit for creatively engaging kids and families in God’s Word. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God.

Explore Wonder Ink