Volunteer and Ministry Teams

Volunteers. We love them, we appreciate them, it would be impossible to do what we do without them, and, let’s admit it, we never seem to have enough of them.

We are all looking for the best way to inspire, recruit, and retain volunteers. It’s tricky, because what moves one person to step up and volunteer may not inspire someone else.

Like you, I have tried many ways to get my church volunteering and serving others. Some ideas have worked great, while some have not worked well at all. But one of the most successful things we have implemented here at Believers Church when it comes to volunteers is the “Team Concept.”Rather than just volunteering, we invite people to join a team- a Volunteer Ministry Team.

Have you ever noticed how easily some people cancel when they are scheduled to volunteer?

Or when scheduled, they may not show up at all! For many, their commitment level and faithfulness often leave much to be desired. Yet these same people will move mountains to get their children to soccer practice, baseball, or dance. They will totally rearrange their schedule, work, and family life to be on a softball team, or bowling league. What’s the difference?What they have bought into is the “Team Connection.” They love being a vital part of their respected teams. And no one wants to let their team down by not showing up.They think, “My team depends on me. My team needs me.”

Additionally, these various extra-curricular activity teams give people a sense of belonging, real or perceived, and generally result in long lasting friendships. People want to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves and everyone wants friends. And of course, let’s not forget that being a member of these various teams is FUN!

In your organization are your ministry volunteers acting as individuals or as a team?

Do they feel they are part of a team that is working together to make a difference in those they are ministering to and are your volunteers having fun in the process?

Or do they feel like individual volunteers, that may or may not be needed and may or may not even be noticed if they show up or if they don’t? I know you don’t want them to feel the latter. You know they are valuable to your ministries’ success and you want them to eagerly show up to minister to others, working together with others, and enjoying their volunteer experience.

This was our desire as well; therefore, we implemented a Ministry Team Concept at Believers Church.

I will add that one of the best applications of the Ministry Team Concept that I have seen is “Dream Teams” implemented by Chris Hodges and the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham Alabama.

Having the pleasure of attending services and even a conference at Highlands, I have seen firsthand the joy and excitement of their volunteer dream teams and it is infectious. Just being around these volunteers makes you want to join one of their teams yourself, even though you are just a guest!

Inspired by our visits to the Highlands, we really began to focus on, build, and support our Ministry Teams which we had already established.

We simply call our volunteer teams, “Ministry Teams.” And yes, it has made a huge difference.

We understand that everyone needs to know and be known, to be needed and to belong.

Therefore, we established several Next Step Classes to help with these relational Next Steps.

Next Step Newcomers Social, Next Step Life Groups, Next Step Membership, and to encourage ministry and serving, Next Step Ministry Teams.

When it comes to serving, everyone wants to make a difference and make a significant contribution to the causes they believe in. As a matter of fact, our desire to be needed and to help and serve others is due to the fact that this is how God wired us. This is what we are created to do. The desire to be needed and feel like you belong is best experienced on a Ministry Team.

Next Step Ministry Teams Class and First Serve

It’s in our Next Step Class, “Next Step Ministry Teams”, that we help people discover the joy of serving!This class helps people identify their God given grace gifts and talents, and helps them match their “gift mix” with a Ministry Team that they would like to try serving with.

After the class we have an onboarding process called “First Serve” which allows new volunteer team members to take a ministry of their choice on sort of a ‘test drive’ to see if they will like serving on that particular team before they make a long-term commitment to the team.

The new volunteer will First Serve for four scheduled meeting times and afterwards they will meet with the team leader to evaluate their serving experience together.

One of the questions they answer is, “Did you enjoy serving with the other people on this ministry team?” Not only did their gifts mesh with the service opportunities, but did they personally get along and mesh with the other team members?

I know, I know, we are all Christians, and we are all supposed to love, like, and have a good relationship with everyone, right? But…. let’s be honest, certain people work well together and certain people don’t. So, if they don’t like the team, it’s ok to say no to a long-term commitment and then to First Serve on another team and see if it’s a better fit for the volunteer. We encourage people to try as many teams as needed to find that perfect Ministry Team for them.

I want everyone to love their team, the people they work with, and I want the team serving experience to be a joy to all the team members.

Purpose Verse Function

Our Next Step Ministry Team Class will explain the various Ministry Teams available to serve on and the function of each team. In other words, the “How” we serve. What each team does.

But I also cast a vision as to “Why” we serve. I believe it was John Maxwell that said, “People don’t resent being asked for a great commitment if there is a great purpose behind it.”

I believe that. And you and I, as the visionary leaders, must help each volunteer team member understand their function as a team member, but more importantly their purpose as a team member.

Why do people get tired, burnt out, and stop serving? They begin to focus on their function and forget their purpose.

For example, if you ask a group of church ushers what their “Purpose” is, they will probably tell you, “My purpose is to help people find seats, and take up the offering. ”That’s not their purpose. That’s a few of their many functions. Their purpose is to help people feel welcomed, so that they can experience the life changing presence of Christ Jesus! Every team member needs to know, understand, and be able to state their purpose and the overall purpose of their team.

Your purpose will drive you. Understanding your purpose will keep you serving!

Why Serve on A Ministry Team?

I would like to encourage you to help your volunteer team members understand their purpose and help you cast a vision for your ministry teams as to the purpose for which they serve. I want to help you help your team members to fully understand “Why” they serve on a Ministry Team.

Therefore, I will share several additional articles entitled: Why Volunteer, Serve, or Join a Ministry Team?

My hope is that these articles will inspire you to serve faithfully and or will help you, as a leader, cast a vision for serving and helping others find their joy in serving as well.

Pastor Scott Moore

08-27-23

scott.moore@believersmail.com

Believers Church of Statesboro

www.believersstatesboro.com