It’s unanimous. Children’s pastors agree that volunteers are essential. A solid volunteer base can multiply the capacity of a church staff exponentially. Volunteers are the ones on the front lines leading small groups and shepherding the hearts of the next generation. You as a children’s pastor know this, but do your volunteers know how vital they are and how much you value them? Here are a few habits you can adopt to ensure you’re expressing appreciation to your crew.
Handwritten notes
Begin each workweek by writing a note to a volunteer. Include specific observations you’ve made about that volunteer and how they’re knocking it out of the park. Remind them of the impact they’re making in the Kingdom of God. Include “note writing” on your calendar at the beginning of each week, prioritizing the five minutes it will take to write and drop in the mailbox. You can even use KidzLife postcards!
Seek their input
Include your volunteers in your decision making process. Since any change you make in procedures, environment or communication affects them directly, ask for their feedback before any executive decisions are solidified. By recognizing that your decisions affect them, you’re communicating value.
Treat them!
Holiday gifts are great (like this super quick Valentine’s Day Donut thank you), but so are “just because you’re awesome!” treats. This can look like treating your team collectively by bringing dessert to church periodically or treating them individually. Stock up on $5 gift cards to a local coffee shop or ice cream parlor and stick one in your handwritten note each week. These small deposits will add up to a feeling of being “seen” and cared for.
Build in breaks
Establish beginning and end dates to your volunteers’ commitments will recognize their humanity and give them the option of “opting in” or out for the next season. Everyone needs a break, so structure your annual calendar in a way that will avoid burnout. Over the summer, incorporate the sign up and show up method, inviting members of the congregation to serve so your core team of volunteers can have time off.
Develop authentic relationships
We all know someone who reaches out only when they need something. Don’t be that person! To the extent that it’s possible with the size of your team, get to know a bit about each person individually. If your volunteer team is massive, establish a team of leaders you can pour into who can then pour into a group themselves. Know something about their lives outside of their time with you at church. Ask questions about their families, jobs, hobbies or whatever it is that’s important to them. Invite a small group of them to coffee. Connect with them on social media so you can track with happenings in their lives as well.
Extend grace, always.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, be gracious with your volunteers. Unpredictable situations like sickness, traffic and family obligations will happen, causing occasional tardiness, absences or even a volunteer deciding to stop serving altogether. When – not if – these things pop up, choose to extend grace. Make sure your volunteers know that you view them holistically as children of God with very full lives that happen beyond serving with you. Honor them for the time they give, and never instill shame by being anything other than kind when life happens. Don’t burn bridges or be the reason someone’s heart hardens toward the Church.
Consider incorporating these practices in order to champion your volunteers and show them with your actions and your words just how much you appreciate their contributions.