I’ve often heard (and perhaps said) “I’ll take any warm body!” when it comes to staffing volunteer positions in a church plant. I’m joking, of course (kinda), because as a former volunteer director I know the danger in viewing people as cogs in your church machine. In fact, it can lead to the situation described by a potential volunteer:
Please tell (her) she is welcome to sign me up to help, just know I am not un-enthusiast as much as I may look!!…I love to serve in the greatest need areas, but I have been so misused and mistreated within the kids ministry realm over the last (few) years, i.e. being called at a moments notice, working 3 to 4 Sundays a month, and even when I was on the prayer team for a Sunday having to leave that post to go serve in the children’s ministry because others would rather serve somewhere else. So, my motivation lacks luster!
You need to make sure you’re monitoring the spiritual and emotional health of your volunteers as closely, if not more so, than their proficiency of the task at hand. Even if we’re a non-profit legally, we’re not spiritually. Don’t tell people to “suck it up and get it done” if the reason they’re fried is because you’re a bad leader. Care for the people fulfilling the vision more than you care for the vision, because people should be your vision!
Pastors and minister who’ve never worked a 9-5 job are more susceptible to this because even though you might be as hard of a worker than non-ministry types, it’s a whole different rhythm to understand and take into account. If that you be sure to ask trusted volunteers their opinions on what you’re asking/requiring of them. Sure, there will be times you need to push everyone past their comfort level, but you’ll be better informed to what that level actually is.
When’s the last time you asked your volunteer leaders about their spiritual health? Are they asking each other? Are you encouraging “one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness?”
#1 by anatoly on June 12, 2010 - 10:46 am
Quote
Spirital health is even more important than phisichal… Thank you for the article!
#2 by Wedding Photographer Los Angeles on September 22, 2011 - 7:31 am
Quote
Agreed! Leaders should not just focus on getting the job done, but they should also show genuine concern for their volunteers. Things will get done in time if everyone is working harmoniously.
#3 by Bigd on December 20, 2011 - 4:35 pm
Quote
You raise an important point here to treat people as human beings and not cogs in a machine. In fact by treating them this way they are likely to be more productive as everyone has a more positive feeling about things.
#4 by South Fl on February 6, 2012 - 12:11 pm
Quote
I also think volunteers are such a precious commodity especially when everyone has such busy lives, we cannot afford to lose them, I know that when I volunteer I am extremely happy when something symbolic such as food is brought along.