If your church is like most churches, you need more workers—and, you have attenders who come every Sunday without volunteering to do anything. Here are some reasons that happens, followed by a link to suggestions for addressing the problem.
- Churches allow them to sit. If the church has no clearly stated expectations, and if the church has no intentional strategy to move people into ministry, they shouldn’t be surprised when people just sit.
- They’ve never been challenged one-on-one to get involved. Pulpit and bulletin announcements simply don’t work when recruiting workers. Do what Jesus did – call out people personally, clearly, passionately.
- They’re worn out. Some folks are just plain tired from previous service, whether in your church or another. They just need a break, at least for a while.
- They don’t see the need. From the pew, it might be that all they see is a church that seems to be functioning quite well. Nobody talks about needs, and nothing evidently shows a need. Thus, sitting might make sense.
- They’re skeptical about support. Past experience concerns them. They might want to serve, but they’re not convinced they’ll get the training they need and want. They fear they’ll be thrown into the battle alone.
- They’re unbelievers. Let’s just be honest. Some folks don’t serve because they really don’t know the Lord – even though they themselves haven’t recognized that truth yet.
- They’re genuinely busy otherwise. Some folks really are busy, even with good activities. Putting something else on their plate seems almost impossible. Not getting involved makes more sense to them than doing God’s work with half effort.
- They have sin in their life. Few people who are living in sin are passionately open to using their gifts in God’s work. Hiding in anonymity seems the better option.
- They’ve never read or heard (or can’t remember) 1 Corinthians 12. I’ve been surprised how often folks want to get involved more after we simply explain the “body” concepts of 1 Corinthians 12 – and give them some means to determine their spiritual giftedness and opportunities in the body.
- Nobody’s really been praying for laborers. Jesus told workers in the harvest to pray for more workers (Luke 10:1-2). When our churches don’t consistently, intentionally, and strategically pray that way, we shouldn’t expect more workers to come forth.
Now, check out “10 Strategies for Recruiting Church Volunteers” for ideas to address this problem.
Here are some tips on volunteers I picked up over the years.
If volunteers don’t find the volunteer work they are doing rewarding, they will quickly burn out, not just on a particular task but on volunteering altogether.
Don’t fill volunteer spots with warm bodies. Fill them with volunteers who will “shine” in that spot.
Train your volunteers. Don’t put them in a volunteer spot and leave them to struggle. They won’t volunteer again
Praise your volunteers. Encourage them. Send them thank-you notes. Celebrate their volunteering with them. Offer them special incentives—T shirts, mugs, and that sort of thing. Show them that they are appreciated. Have an annual volunteers appreciation party. Take group photos and display them—in the church lobby, in slide shows before, during, and after church services, on Facebook. Thank volunteers from the pulpit. Have a volunteer appreciation Sunday—maybe one for each volunteer ministry.
Provide child care for volunteers.
Preach and teach on the importance of volunteering to the worship, life, and ministry of the church.
Don’t forget that volunteers are human beings. They are not robots, machines. They need TLC, tender loving care! Show your volunteers that you really care about them!
Yes, appreciation goes a long way. When you approach people individually and ask for help, they will most likely say yes! We love to feel needed and important. Get to know their name before approaching them. See if they have someone they would like to have volunteer with them.