Kids

How do you get the volunteers that you need?

I’ve never really liked the term “recruiting” when it comes to volunteers. It seems to imply a sense of hunting, finding…which leads to begging and then “guilting.”  The word that I like is ATTRACTING!

We’ve learned the importance of creating the kind of environments that leaders WANT to get involved in…the kind of environments that inspire the best kind of leaders, to bring all of their heart and passion and skills to the table.

We are looking for partners who feel a sense of ownership and pride in the environments that they help us create. Here are a few things that you can do to ATTRACT volunteers:

Get support from your Leadership Team. There must be a consistent message communicated from the stage, from your Senior Pastor, and from key leaders of other departments. This must be a passionate belief that we need EVERYONE to be involved in our mission to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

The message is something like this: “This church belongs to the people who attend it. Together we are trying to create a place where people love to bring their unchurched friends. We cannot do that alone. We can’t risk that one new family would walk through the doors and not experience the amazing personal care that is necessary to make an unforgettable impression for our Heavenly Father. For you to truly embrace the mission that we are called to, you much get INVOLVED!

Create easy avenues for people to get involved. Don’t make it complicated. No one is attracted to a complicated system and steps. Create a clear printed piece that captures the first step – their name and contact information. Most people only want to know the next step when they need to know it. Make it easy for them to connect to your environments.

Make a push! Plan annual and consistent times throughout the year to promote the specific needs in all ministry areas and create simple opportunities for people to give their name simply to get more information. Take the pressure off and don’t ask for big commitments at this stage. Remember, for now, it’s about inspiring them to get involved, getting their name and then taking the next step.

Inspire current leaders to recruit. The best advertisements for serving in your environments are the raving fans that already serve with you. We get many of our best new leaders from the friends and family of those leaders who are already serving with us. Enlist them. Make it a part of your strategy. Lead your current volunteers so well that they are inspired to recruit others because they want everyone to have this life-changing experience.

Cast vision. Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Great leaders do not usually feel called to change diapers, run soundboards, and direct traffic. But great leaders are willing to give their all to a greater cause. They want to contribute. It’s your job to cast a compelling vision that invites them to lock arms with you and do something amazing!

Excellence attracts excellence. If you are looking to attract the most talented, giving, and passionate volunteers you must create an excellent environment. The best leaders are careful where they give their time. Time is valuable to them and they want to leverage it for the most good.

Building a strong team of volunteers is crucial to successful ministry. It was never God’s design that staff would run the church and attendee’s would attend. In order for the true mission of the church – reaching people for Christ – to really take hold in the heart of your congregation, they must participate with you.

What makes your ministry attractive to volunteers?