Why Adult Volunteers Leave

By Doug Franklin April 19, 2011

We are coming to the end of another youth ministry year and soon volunteers will be telling us if they are staying or going. Some volunteers leave because their student is no longer in the ministry or because of life change but some volunteers leave because we are poor leaders. We have not focused on our leadership skills or character and our volunteers have had enough. I see this a ton and most often youth workers blame the volunteers and never take a good look at themselves. Ask yourself these five questions to see if your leadership is attracting volunteers or pushing them away:

1. Does my communication inspire?

2. Do the volunteers see me as always one step ahead?

3. Do I make decisions in a timely manner?

4. Do I have new ideas every year?

5. Do my volunteers see positive results from my strategy?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions you need to ask your volunteers how you can improve. I would suggest you get a leadership mentor to help create action steps to help you grow your leadership. I don’t believe leadership happens by chance, you can grow your leadership skills and by doing so your will keep more volunteers.