6 Things Churches Communicate To Attract More Volunteers

Today I had the privilege of attending Piedmont Church in Marietta, GA.  This great church, led by the absolutely delightful Senior Pastor Ike Reighard, is impacting the lives of thousands in their community on a weekly basis.

Ike concluded today’s message with a plea for more volunteers to support their growing ministry.  I was so impressed with how he did “the ask”, I wanted to pass along his process to you.

The following are 6 Things Churches Communicate To Attract More Volunteers:

1. Scripture – Ike built a biblical foundation for the value of serving people.  Great leaders know nothing changes a human heart better than the Word of God.  The passage used was Matthew 5:13-16, “¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)”
2. Need – Ike told the congregation, “I need you.”  Great leaders know few things elicit as strong a response from those in their churches as those three words.
3. Response Cards – Included in today’s bulletin was a response card providing 12 different areas people could serve in.  Multiple opportunities provide multiple on-ramps for people to get involved.  In addition to online registration, I would also recommend having volunteer response cards in the backs of your seats on a weekly basis.  These cards should be readily available and constantly updated with current opportunities where people could be involved.
4. Stories – Ike spent specific time promoting the parking ministry.  When doing so, he told the story of a volunteer who had previously led Ike’s parking team and the impact this ministry had on the overall life of the church.  Stories move people to action because people see themselves and how God could use them in stories.  They say, “Well if he could do that, I could do that too!”
5. Statistics – The pre-school attendance has grown 156% in the last 12 months.  Statistics communicate momentum and give validity to the need for more volunteers.
6. Urgency – Ike concluded his plea by saying, “If you are not serving, you are not experiencing all that God has for you.”  Great leaders call people to action and abundant living.

Scripture, Need, Response Cards, Stories, Stats, and Urgency.  If you communicate these six things on a regular basis, you will see a substantial increase in the number of volunteers serving in your church.

What other things do you do to attract volunteers in your church?

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