Getting to “Yes”

Leadership – Getting to “Yes”

This is a quick summary of a passage from the book “Simply Strategic Volunteers.” It is addressing the “art” of recruiting new volunteers for a ministry.

Recruiting volunteers is one of the more difficult tasks of a leader. It can be scary. It can be intimidating. And let’s be honest, it can just not be fun.

In Matthew chapter 4 Jesus gave us a great example of how to recruit volunteers/leaders when He recruited His disciples. If we follow the path that Jesus initiated when he asked people to volunteer, I feel our recruitment levels will increase.

“Come” – meet with the person face to face, not over the phone. Be confident in asking, don’t give the person several reasons to not volunteer (i.e. I know your busy, we have others I might be able to ask, if you don’t mind) – let them make the decision.

“Be my disciples” – Jesus defined the role. Spell out what needs to be done. People will only volunteer when they know what is expected of them.

“I will show you” – volunteers want to know who they will be working with. Get them plugged in with the team leader and the rest of the team (if this is a team ministry).

“To fish for people” – This is where you define the purpose of what they will be doing. People need to know that what they are doing makes a difference. We are doing so much more than greeting in the parking lot, at the door, in the sanctuary, etc. We are helping people to come closer to Christ. And that is the most important thing anyone can do.

I hope this helps as we continue to minister to those in our community!