10 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any ministry.  It's vital that we watch over them and care about their well-being.  It is also crucial to invest in them and help them grow as a leader.

With that in mind, here are 10 questions you should be asking your volunteers. 

What is your dream job at church?

Ask this question when you are bringing them on your team. This question will help you identify where they should be serving in the ministry.  This question will help you place them in a role that lines up with their passion and giftedness.

How are you doing? Really doing?  Ask them how they are doing on a regular basis.  And move beyond this question just being a friendly greeting.  Find out if there are any areas you can help them with.

How can I pray for you?  Your volunteers should be on your prayer list.  Ask them how you can best pray for them. 

What is your favorite snack?  Keep a list of each volunteer's favorite snacks, drinks, gifts, etc.  You can then use this to give them their favorite treat on their birthday, serving anniversary, etc.

Are you in your sweet spot?  Ask new volunteers this a month after they start serving.  This will help you determine if they are serving in their sweet sport or if they need to try a different role. 

We have a volunteer training coming up. Can you be there?  If you want your volunteer trainings and events to be well attended, then personally ask each volunteer to attend.  It's not enough to just send an email if you want your volunteers at training events.  It takes a personal ask.

How is your family?  Get to know the families of your volunteers.  This will demonstrate that you care about the volunteers and are interested in their life beyond serving.

What would you change, tweak, start or stop doing so we can be better?  Volunteers can provide great insight that will help the ministry grow and be healthy.  Sit down with them on a regular basis and ask them this question.  This will also give volunteers a voice and show them that you value their ideas.

Are you attending worship services?  Volunteers should be attending the adult service consistently.  Tell them this when they sign up to serve and then go back and see if they are attending.  This will help them stay healthy spiritually.

Are you part of a small group?  Being part of a small group, Sunday school class, Bible study, etc. is important for volunteers so they can have a group of people they are doing life with.  One thing to consider is starting some small groups with your volunteers.  This will help them grow closer together as a team.  

Your turn.  What other questions do you ask volunteers?  Share your thoughts and insight in the comment section below.