Upwards of 70% of Volunteers, who resign their church roles, are leaving due to relationship and discouragement issues, not theology or doctrine.

Note these brief points to help your volunteers be encouraged, excited and faithful in their roles. The excitement and dedication of your volunteers can be read like a thermometer of the health of your church. If your volunteers are motivated your church is moving towards health.  If they are not excited about their role and your church, then your church is heading toward neutral.

Know your volunteer staff. Know what they like to do, their family, work and community responsibilities. Ask your volunteers what they enjoy and what stresses them. Be understanding when a volunteer can’t make a meeting.

Celebrate your volunteers and the work they do.  Encourage each one towards God’s Vision, Mission and Values of your church and community. Let each volunteer team know their significant and very unique role and importance to overall church health. Express your appreciation both personally and publically. Send thank you notes and ask if there’s anything they need to make their role more enjoyable. Pray with and for them.

“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 MSG)

Board Chairs and Pastors, take a few minutes today to call or email your volunteers, just to say thank you.

“Your job as a leader is to use your love of your own work to light the fire of passion in others who share this love.” (Crossland & Clarke, The Leaders Voice)

Leadership is … being and expressing your thankfulness to each and every volunteer.

Yours in Service,

Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com