A new volunteer signed up to serve in our children's ministry this past weekend. How did I sign her up? What method did I use to motivate her to join our volunteer team?
Was it a plea from the Pastor during the Sunday morning announcements? No.
Was it a "sign up to serve" table in the church lobby? No.
Was it a letter we mailed to people about serving? No.
Was it a mass email we sent out to all parents about serving? No.
The strategy I used was this - a personal invite. After church, I went to a play area we have for kids. After Sunday morning services, kids and their parents can go to this spot to play and have fun.
It's also where I hang out after service each week.
It's a hot spot to find new volunteers. Parents and other family members are sitting around watching their kids play. Each week, I go there and spend time talking with people about serving with us in children's ministry.
Here's what time and experience has taught me. The absolutely best way to build a volunteer team is 1-on-1 personal asks.
Think about it. That's the way Jesus built His team. He approached people one at a time and invited them to follow Him.
Stats show that 89-93% of people who volunteer do so because they were asked to serve by someone.
Do you need to build up your volunteer team? I believe the most effective way is by 1-1- asks.
How many volunteers do you currently need? If you're like 99% of other churches, you have a need for many more volunteers.
How are you going to get them? One person at a time.
How can you build a great volunteer team? One person at a time.
How can you enlist dozens of new volunteers? One person at a time.
Making personal asks...week in and week out...one person at a time...that's how you build a great volunteer team.
God didn't call your Pastor to build a great team for you. That's your job.
It's part of your job description. Enlist, equip, engage, and empower a team of volunteers who will reach kids and families in your community.
At one church where I have served as the children's pastor, we had over 2,000 volunteers. Yes, you read that correctly...over 2,000 volunteers.
How did we get that many volunteers?
Well, we started with about 300. Then we made personal asks every single week. Week in and week out we approached people one at a time and invited them to join us in reaching the next generation. We did this every week for over 9 years. At the end of the 9 years, we looked up and wow...we had over 2,000 volunteers who were serving.
How many more volunteers do you need?
Where are the current holes you have in your ministry?
Are you committed to doing the work that it takes to build a great volunteer team?
You can do it. One person at a time. Encourage your team members (staff and volunteers) to also invite one person each week to serve.
It will probably take you awhile, but if you will do this consistently, you will exceed any current volunteer goals you may have.
p.s. If you haven't read my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams," it has been called the best book ever written on the topic. You can get your copy at this link.
May God pour out His blessings out on you and your team. May He send people your way that you can invite to serve.
