Subscribe to the NetworkDeadly Sins of Recruiting Volunteers
Thought this post on Ministry Best Practices was solid – there are 7 Deadly Recruiting Sins over there you should read when talking about volunteers in your youth ministry. Here’s the 3 that stood out the most to me:
Sin #4: Assume That “No” Means “Never”. Sometimes a “no” means that a prospect would rather do something other than the role you’ve described. Probe to find out what the person likes to do, then see if there’s a match for that in your (or someone else’s) ministry.
Sin #5: Recruit Just Warm Bodies. It is easy to get in the mindset of just needing to fill slots and needs within your ministry..but you don’t just want warm bodies, rather you want people with warm hearts toward your ministry. You want people whose gifts, skills and abilities are a good match for your ministry.
Sin #6: Recruit to the need. People don’t want to hear a desperate plea of how you need volunteers. You don’t recruit to the need, rather you recruit to the vision. Most people don’t volunteer out of guilt because you tell them that your ministry team is in desperate need of volunteers. Rather most people volunteer because they are compelled by the vision. Paint and cast that compelling vision for your prospective volunteers.
JG
