Mobilizing Volunteers: Building a Strong Church Culture of Service

If you asked 100 church members whether volunteering in the church was important, there's a pretty good chance that all 100 would answer in the affirmative. Nobody disputes both the need for and importance of serving in the church.

But, there's a big difference between affirming the importance of volunteering and creating a culture of service in your church. Building a strong church culture of service involves more than just getting people to sign up for occasional volunteer opportunities. It requires intentional effort and a clear strategy.

In this guide, we provide you with concrete ways you can create a culture of serving in your church. We'll discuss various things you can do to make serving the norm in your faith community.

Let's get started.

Lead By Example

Building a culture of service within a church starts with the leaders. You can't expect those in your church to gladly volunteer if they don't see it modeled by church leadership. Additionally, Jesus himself was the ultimate example of service.

In Mark 10:45, Jesus said to His disciples, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." As pastors and church leaders, it’s our responsibility to follow in Jesus' footsteps and lead by example.

Here are some ways you can lead by example and inspire others to serve:

• Participate in volunteer opportunities within the church
• Share personal stories of how service has impacted your life
• Encourage other leaders within the church to do the same
• Acknowledge and thank volunteers for their hard work
• Regularly communicate the importance of service in the church
• Teach from the Bible about serving

Serving is not "below" a pastor or church leader. Rather, serving is at the very heart of what pastors and leaders are called to do. As we serve others, we reflect the heart of Jesus and inspire others to do the same.

In Luke 22:25-26, Jesus said:

"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves."

If you want to build a culture of volunteering and service in your church, regularly communicate the truth that true greatness comes from service. It doesn't come from being in front of a lot of people or having a position of authority. No, the greatest are those who serve God and others.

Encourage a Servant's Heart

Another way to promote volunteering within the church is by encouraging a servant's heart among members. Remind them that serving is not just about fulfilling duties or tasks, but it's about having the heart of a servant.

This means putting others' needs before our own and actively seeking ways to serve, even when it may not be convenient or easy. By promoting this mindset, we create a culture of selflessness and love within the church community.

This attitude of serving is seen throughout the Bible and is clearly important to God. In Philippians 2:3-4, we are reminded to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

These verses serve as a reminder that serving is not just a nice thing to do. It's essential to the life of the church and is a clear, defining mark of followers of Christ.

Focus On The "Why"

When encouraging volunteering and service within the church, it's important to focus on the "why" behind serving. This means highlighting the purpose behind our actions rather than just the tasks themselves.

For example, instead of saying, "We need volunteers to set up chairs for Sunday service," we could say, "Volunteers are needed to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for our church family to worship in." By focusing on the purpose and impact of our service, we can connect it back to our faith and highlight its importance. We give people a vision for serving and impart a passion for it. 

If we don't regularly connect volunteering to the "why" behind it, people may think of serving only in terms of getting things done. But when we understand the purpose behind our actions, it becomes a meaningful and fulfilling experience.

Encourage A Variety Of Service Opportunities

Serving doesn't only mean helping out with events or tasks within the church building. It can also involve serving the community and those in need outside of the church walls. By expanding the focus beyond internal needs, we're able to make a greater impact and show the love of Christ to those outside of our immediate church community.

Encouraging a variety of service opportunities also allows people to use their unique gifts and talents in different ways. This can include volunteering at a local food bank, participating in a mission trip, or simply helping out a neighbor in need.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we're reminded that our neighbor is anyone who is in need, not just those in our faith community. By encouraging a variety of service opportunities, we live out this truth and extend our love and care to all those in need.

Clearly Define Needs

One way to inspire others to serve is by clearly defining and communicating the needs within the church. As leaders, we may have a good idea of where help is needed, but it's important to communicate these needs to the congregation as a whole.

This not only allows people to see where their skills and talents could be utilized but also gives them a sense of purpose and belonging within the church community. By clearly defining needs, we create opportunities for individuals to serve in areas that align with their passions and interests.

As you communicate needs to the church, help members see the impact that their serving will make. For example, if you're asking for volunteers for children's ministry, also talk about the importance of investing in the next generation and how their service can make a difference in a child's life.

Match Skills With Needs

One of the most effective ways to build a culture of service within your church is to match people's skills and interests with the needs of the church. While it's true that people should be willing to serve wherever they're needed, there's value in finding ways for people to use their unique talents and abilities.

For example, if someone has a heart for music, consider inviting them to serve on the worship team or lead a choir. If someone is organized and detail-oriented, they may be well-suited for administrative tasks or event planning.

We see this principle at work in the early church. In Acts 6, the apostles recognized the need for leaders to oversee the distribution of food to widows within the church. They didn't just choose anyone, but specifically looked for individuals who were "known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). In other words, they were looking for the right people for the job. They were looking for those who were both godly and wise.

While it's not always possible to match people's skills with needs in the church, it makes a big difference when you can do it.

Encourage a Culture of Appreciation

Volunteers give up their time and talents to serve in the church, so it's important to continually show appreciation for their efforts. This can be as simple as saying thank you, sending a handwritten note, or publicly acknowledging their service during a church service.

One idea to encourage a culture of appreciation is to hold regular volunteer appreciation events. This could be a dinner or party where volunteers are recognized and celebrated for their hard work. It's also a great opportunity for leaders to express gratitude and personally connect with volunteers.

Another way to show appreciation is by offering small tokens of gratitude, such as gift cards or small gift baskets. These gestures may seem small, but they can go a long way in making volunteers feel valued and appreciated.

Start Young

The great thing about serving is that even children can do it. And the reality is that children should be involved in serving from a young age. This teaches them the importance of serving others and also helps instill a sense of ownership and responsibility in the church at a young age.

There are many ways children can get involved in serving within the church, such as:

• Helping with set up and clean up for events
• Greeting people at the door
• Participating in a children's choir or drama team
• Assisting with passing out bulletins or church programs
• Collecting offerings or donations during services
• Helping in the nursery or with younger children's classes

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” By encouraging children to serve, we are following Jesus' example and laying a foundation for the future of our church.

Utilize Technology To Simplify The Process

Managing large numbers of volunteers can be difficult, to say the least. You have to create sign-up forms, manage schedules, communicate with volunteers, and much more. Thankfully, there is now technology that can dramatically simplify the process.

Breeze Church Management Software (ChMS) is a platform that can greatly streamline the sign-up and volunteer management process. You can easily schedule or invite volunteers to events, organize volunteers into separate groups, and communicate with volunteers via email and SMS.

Instead of trying to manage volunteers in a document or spreadsheet, Breeze allows you to centralize all volunteer management in one place. This saves time and effort and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.

Final Thoughts

A church can't survive without a steady stream of people willing to serve. By creating a culture of service in our churches, we not only strengthen our church communities but also live out the teachings of Jesus.

Let's continue to empower and support those who give their time and talents to serve within the church. Whether it's through traditional volunteer roles or utilizing technology, let's work together to further God's kingdom here on earth.

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