Comments on: Creating a Culture of Volunteerism

By: Richard Jones

Richard Jones — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:48:26 +0000

Thanks for taking time to reply. The line up of the one day workshops look great. I hope you cycle through these enough times that I can get to 2 or 3 of them. I'm sure you've thought about it, but if you did a two day event, I could attend two workshops with one airfare.

By: Richard Jones

Richard Jones — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:02:52 +0000

I can't make it to Exponential in Orlando, but your workshop sounds just like what I need to hear. Will there be a recording available?

By: faithntim

faithntim — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:10:43 +0000

I'm not sure Richard. I kind of doubt it…but I'll be doing this workshop again in Granger on May 21st. Check http://www.wiredchurches.com/simply-strategic-vol...

By: Nick Blevins

Nick Blevins — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:06:45 +0000

woops, typo, I meant "I am paid staff as *the children's minister"

By: Nick Blevins

Nick Blevins — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:04:56 +0000

Not having a children's minister until 1000 is pretty amazing. Our church has pretty strong volunteerism, with 95 volunteers serving 150 kids in children's ministry but I am paid staff as that children's minister, and about 60% of my time goes to that plus our 3 environment directors (preschool, elementary, kidstuf) probably give an average of 15 hours/week as volunteers, and their are a bunch more that give 4-5 hours/week.

It could totally run without my hours put into it, so I can see where that would work, but we're only 750 in size now so it is hard to imagine.

On the other hand, I grew up in a church with a Sunday School and I bet that could have easily run on volunteers only, up to 1000. But, I don't think that model is nearly as effective or requires as much work as what most new churches are doing now.

By: Patricia Davis

Patricia Davis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:51:46 +0000

Thanks Tim for your quick relpy! I am working on my Pastor to attend the event in Orlando…I hope to see you there!

Patricia

By: Tim Stevens

Tim Stevens — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:31:50 +0000

Patricia – well the first thing I should suggest is…Come to Orlando! My workshop is only 2 hours away from you and I'd love to meet you and your team! Now to your specific questions…

Training – we don't do centralized training. Each ministry area handles it–and in most cases, this happens as "on the job training." That is, they get the training while they are serving. Then occasionally they come together for additional training / vision nights.

Meetings — we have found that it is very difficult to get people to come out for additional meetings or events. Why? It's not because they don't love Jesus or the church. It's just that they are very busy. So we do everything we can to handle the meetings, vision, huddle time, and training WHILE they are serving. It's easier to get teams to come 30 minutes early each week than to come out for a separate meeting.

Culture — it takes a long time to change the culture of a church to be one where volunteering is esteemed and desired. Sometimes years. It takes a lot of intentional small interventions. Sounds like you are doing some great stuff–just keep it up.

And join me in Florida!

By: Patricia Davis

Patricia Davis — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:03:24 +0000

Tim, your blog came at a perfect time for us. Recently, I have been researching volunteerism and I have enjoyed reading your book, Simply Strategic Volunteers, as well as, your blog. My passion for volunteering is growing and I am so excited about what God is showing me through this research. Since reading your book, all the things I thought I valued about volunteering has shifted, and I’m passionate to get this culture of volunteerism you speak of running rampant through our church. That being said, I have a few questions… Do you schedule an overall training for your volunteers? Does the Pastor over a particular ministry meet with the lead volunteers, and if so, how often? We have some GREAT volunteers, but how do you bring them up to that level where they are passionate, strong and faithful leaders? I feel like we are missing a major component with our volunteers and I can’t quite put my finger on it.

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:17:06 +0000

I agree with you. We don't always need to be so quick to hire paid staff. I would still remind him that while we want to give ministry away and empower volunteers to do the work of the ministry, he or his team will need to invest time in developing the volunteer leader. Whether a ministry is directed by a volunteer or paid staff, it still needs a leader…champion…or "mother"- whatever you want to call it.

By: Mark Goodrich

Mark Goodrich — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:43:55 +0000

Tim love your thoughts and could not agree more, its the overall stating point with all major recruitment and staff decisions. The fondation for building any community of faith, a "servant volunteer" culture w/ all the DNA associated MUST be the core driving values leads senior staffing decisions. The role of the ministry leader / director / pastor like a Children Minstry Director should be an "equipping role" rather than a doing role. More work does not mean hire. it mean build the leaders and euip the servants to keep doing the work. Then its time to hire.We try to hire leaders who lead leaders rarther than to hire leaders to do the ministry or even organize the minstry. The time to hire is when the leadership develpment aspects of the team are suffering. Most servant can lead, organize and exicute a team vision/mission. a full timer can devote the time and energy /gifting to build leaders and take the team to the next level. Never hire a staff person that will take any aspect of the minstry out of the hand of the servant volunteer.