Church volunteer work is (or should be) a natural outgrowth of a believer’s love for God and a desire to help the church be ready to embrace those who come through the doors or to help those in need. Sometimes, though, volunteers may wonder if what they’re doing matters or makes a difference.
Volunteering at church is important because many roles are necessary each week to keep the church running smoothly. Church volunteer work also helps those in the community who suffer or have needs they cannot meet themselves.
If you’re in church leadership or ministry, conveying the importance of the church’s work to your congregation is key to developing and keeping engaged volunteers. Read on for key points on why volunteering at church is important and how to make it meaningful.
Why is Volunteering at Church Important and What Difference Does it Make?
Volunteering at church is vital for sustaining a healthy ministry and fulfilling the mission to reach those around us. Without volunteers, much of the church’s work would go undone.
It’s simply not possible or biblical- nor should it be expected – for the pastor and staff members to meet all of the needs in or outside the church.
The bible encourages pastors to equip and train people to minister. Volunteering at church is an excellent way for individuals to identify their gifts and develop a heart for serving others.
Having dedicated volunteers allows church staff to concentrate on more of the vision and direction of the church. They can provide leadership and support to volunteers rather than trying to do everything themselves.
It’s pretty simple, the mission of the church is to reach and serve people through the love of Christ. Jesus commands his followers to “go and make disciples.” Whether you help in your local church or go overseas to serve in another part of the world, willingness and availability are what’s important.
Volunteers Help the Church Run Smoothly
For a church to be effective, it does need a strong team of volunteers. A lot has to happen each week at a church to run smoothly and provide education and ministries to those who attend.
In a way, volunteers are the heroes of the church. Much of their work often is unseen, but that is ok. The fruit their work produces is much greater than the work of just a few.
My pastor often says, “When everyone does a little, it becomes a lot.”
There are no unimportant jobs within the church. Some volunteer roles may seem inconsequential compared to others, but each one is uniquely necessary. Below are just a few roles at a church; consider how they fit in the big picture.
- Nursery or Children’s Worker: Allows parents to attend the service or smaller settings without distraction
- Greeter: Gives newcomers and first-time guests a sense of welcome
- Facility Team: Oversees the care of the building or property to ensure safety and function
- Small-Group Leader: Plans and conducts gatherings and reaches out to church members to foster connectedness and a sense of belonging
- Bereavement Team: Ministers to those who are experiencing difficult situations
- Hospitality Team: Prepares, serves, or cleans up after special events to help facilitate a better experience for those in attendance.
There’s just no way a church staff can do everything it takes to keep the doors open. Volunteers at church are essential. The next time you see one, tell them, “thank you!”
Volunteers Meet Needs in the Community
The world is full of people with needs: physical, spiritual, emotional, and financial, to name a few. The church has always been instrumental in taking care of those in need, and church volunteers are a huge part of that mission.
Indeed, you don’t have to be a church member to give back to your community. Plenty of volunteer opportunities are available through non-religious organizations. However, churches can be a massive catalyst for community impact and often partner with local agencies that have a similar desire to eliminate specific problems by serving others.
Volunteers Grow Spiritually and Feel a Sense of Higher Purpose
Church volunteer work benefits the giver too. Most people want to be involved in a cause that is bigger than themselves. Contributing to the greater good of the world and their community leads to a feeling of purpose and fulfillment.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Jesus came to serve people so, by helping others, volunteers develop a deeper relationship with God and become more like Christ over time.
How To Make Volunteering At Church Easier With Good Communication
Great communication is key to inspiring church volunteers to engage with your mission. Church leaders often struggle with how to best get their message across to the congregation. The invitation for volunteering at church must be timely, clear, and have a direct call to action.
Below are three guidelines to engage and keep more volunteers at your church.
3 Guidelines To Engaging And Keeping More Volunteers At Church
Communicate the Mission Of Your Church With Clarity & Consistently
It’s vital to keep the church’s mission as the central focus when asking for volunteers. People will rally around a definite purpose, but volunteers often fade away when the church loses its focus. – Carey Neiuwhof
Whether your main focus is on the homeless, foster care, unplanned pregnancy, or addressing hunger, be diligent in communicating that to the church clearly and consistently.
Represent The Mission With Excellence
Excellence is about doing your best with what you have. Technology has brought a wealth of communication tools to your fingertips. Nowadays, we are accustomed to and expect quality print and online materials. Most will ignore a hand-drawn poster, even if the messaging is valid.
Anyone with a computer can create professional-looking flyers and print newsletters. With just a smartphone, you can make an engaging, informative, and quality video. Better yet, expand volunteering at church by allowing those with this skillset to serve!
And let’s talk about how technology helps you get your message directly to the people. There are many ways you can target an individual or a group with specific communications that give them the exact information they are looking for:
- Emails
- Church Texting Software
- Social Media
- Websites and Apps
- Blogs
- Church Project Management Tools
Establish Clear Expectations For The Volunteers At Church
No one likes to feel inadequate. That’s why you must let volunteers know the expectations ahead of time and ask if they need any special resources to complete the task. Offer training opportunities so that everyone is on the same page and can feel confident about doing what they signed up to do.
To help simplify volunteering at church, we offer a handful of transferable training manuals that any leader can use to equip their team. To view the training manuals, click HERE.
What Do People Need To Consider When Volunteering At Church?
Church volunteers should consider a few key points as they plan to respond to a volunteer opportunity at church.
- Alignment: Am I in alignment with the mission, teaching, and leadership of the church?
- Purpose: Does this task or opportunity have a Kingdom focus? Is this what God wants me to do?
- Motive: Why do I want to help? Am I doing it for the right reasons?
- Talents: Is this the best use of my particular talents or skill set? Will I be effective?
- Time: Am I willing to put in the time to do a good job?
Volunteering At Church Summary
Volunteering at church offers meaningful ways to love God by serving others. By helping those in need, serving in various areas on Sunday mornings, or using our skills in a leadership role, we are obediently following Christ’s example of love, humility, and compassion.
