Why Preaching on Volunteers Doesn’t Always Get More Volunteers

If you’re a senior pastor, chances are, you’ve probably heard a statement like this from a staff member or a children’s ministry volunteer:

Pastor, we need some more volunteers….can you preach on that soon?

Though you’re called to preach the gospel, teach the Word of God and champion the vision of the local church, sometimes, you feel like the minister of announcements or the pastor of knucklehead stuff.

You may reluctantly give in and highlight the women’s ministry pot luck or work in a story from the 2nd grade department in a sneak attack attempt to sign up a new recruit, but deep down, you know this approach doesn’t work.

1.  You might solve a short term issue.  But the long term problem still remains.  The real problem isn’t an opening in the nursery, it’s a ministry that depends on top-down communication to fill spaces.

2.  You make yourself the solution.  Like Moses hearing the problems of all the people, when you step in and solve problems from the platform, you make yourself the solution.  This creates a situation where people HAVE to come to you to solve their problems.  This time, it’s a few volunteers.  Next, it’s the budget.

3.  Systems problems cannot be solved with sermons.  As a communicator, you might be tempted to think you can solve all the problems in the church with a sermon.  But in reality, systems problems need systems solutions.

That’s why we created a step-by-step system your church can use to gain, train and retain volunteers.  And the best part is it’s not dependent on sermons from the pulpit.  If you want to learn more and receive a copy of the free ebook on the Seven Deadly Sins of Leading Volunteer Ministry, just enter your name and email address below.