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youth ministry, student ministry, youth worker, encouraging volunteers

5 Strategies for Encouraging Volunteers

By Doug Franklin March 16, 2011

Spring is the time of year we start to forget about out adult volunteers. They start missing more youth meetings and soon you can’t get them on the phone and your not sure when they will show up next. So lets turn this around by reaching out to our volunteers. Here are 5 strategies to encourage your adult volunteers:

1. Tell them one great thing

Pull your adults aside and tell them one great thing you see them doing with students. Make a big deal about it and thank them over and over again. Make sure they know they are the backbone of the ministry.

2. Praise gossip

Tell parents about the great things your adult volunteers are doing. Tell a story in church if they will let you. Go on and on about how wonderful your adult volunteers are. Gossip spreads and soon they will hear about what you are saying and feel valued.

3. Ask students to write a note

Ask your students to take a minute and write a thank-you note to their small group leaders. Ask them to express the difference the adults are making in their lives.

4. Gift book

Pick a book that will help your adults grow in youth ministry. Give them a night off from ministry so they will have time to read it. This can breathe life into your ministry.

5. Spouse gift

Give a gift to your volunteer’s spouse, thanking them for the sacrifice of letting their spouse serve. This is powerful. When you take care of the one your volunteer loves you will be taking care of the volunteer.

About the Author

Doug Franklin

Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, an innovative leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in West Chicago, Illinois. They don’t have any kids, but they have 2 dogs that think they are children. Diesel and Penelope are Weimaraners  who never leave their side. Doug grew up in…  Read More