Recently we have been activating a new philosophy in ministry and it’s working… at least for us. We started looking through the eyes of the average churchgoer to see what they see when they look at our ministries – how do they view it and why? We saw that we looked desperate: Our recruitment method was to start calling people on the phone and saying “Hey, If you could help us out – that would be really great… any chance?” we would get reluctant “yeses” but only because they felt sorry for us. I decided to take it up a notch. Our current team began to draft job descriptions of the positions that we needed to fill. We put together sharp sign-up materials with – get this – requirements to be met. We started giving the perception that this ministry is valuable and you should be a part of it.
I thought about investors. If some guy showed up and handed me a sheet of paper and said, “Hey, I’m trying to get people to invest with my firm – here’s a little photo-copy of our information… what do ya say? Can you help me out here?” You or I would laugh out loud and tell the guy to get lost! But if some guy showed up with a portfolio of information that was top notch and said “I would love it if you would look through this packet – you’ll see that we are the top firm in this area. Check the list of requirements and see if you qualify…” the first thing we would do is open it up… find the list of requirements and see if we qualify.
What are you doing to add value to your ministry?
I started doing this last year also and it was so well received I was almost surprised! The leaders just loved that we were taking their ministry seriously and were really excited about the support we offered them as part of the ‘package’. I used Walter Wright’s suggestions in ‘Relational Leadership’ (a book I HIGHLY recommend) as a guideline/starting point. As well as the leaders loving it, I’ve had someone turn down leading after they saw a copy of what was required which I actually found a positive as it meant that we are getting committed people for the ministry.
I was reading an article in the lastest Children’s Ministry Magazine which talked about created ‘volunteer evangelists’. That is, treating your volunteers so well that they recruit other volunteers. From the response we’ve had to our new system so far, I think that the PD’s are a great first step for us on this front!
If anyone is interested please let me know and I will email you what we’ve done. I’m sure it’s not the snazziest thing out there but it works and it’s raised the bar.
I’d love to see what you’re doing in children’s ministry. Please e-mail me the stuff… and thanks for the reply to the post.
What’s PD’s? Sorry. Can I have whatever you’re emailing? I’d like to book one of your volunteer evangelists too.
children at trinitylanham dhot com
Thanks
jonathan
I recently stumbled across your blog and just love the conversation you are having – I believe it’s so important for us to raise the bar in volunteer service.
I am actually the author of the article that Louisa is refering to in her comment(“Volunteer Evangelists” from Children’s Ministry Magazine). Last year I read a fantastic book called “Creating Customer Evangelists” and was inspired to apply the ideas to volunteer recruiting for children’s ministry. I just love that volunteers would become evangelists because their serving experience was so great. This new recruiting idea has been really exciting to me!
I look forward to reading more great posts!
I love that!! I have been CP at my church for one year and 7 months. And I have been pretty much a one man team. I can’t “buy” a dependable volunteer. I am a CP at heart, but a mild mannered Accountant by day. And recently I have been thinking about using a more business-like approach for establishing and building our children’s ministry. Our children’s ministry is in an “embryo” stage right now. All but two of my CC kids will age out and go to youth this year. But I have a nursery of about 20 kids between the ages of birth and 4 years old. After reading George Barna’s book, I realize I have not only a huge opportunity here, but an awesome responsibility also. I am going to get on your idea right now!!!!
Hi again,
I realise I need to email you but wanted to also say that I have just read a great book by Jim Wideman called ‘Children’s Ministry Volunteers That Stick’ – if you are thinking about this topic then this book is a MUST READ! You can order it from his website http://www.jimwideman.com or from your local Christian bookstore/amazon. Cheers again, Louisa
We’re in our third summer of doing a month long recrutiment theme for the fall. We set up a booth outside the main entrance to the church and approach our theme like a company would do a marketing plan. We’ve received great responses from people in the church because they see that we’re not just asking for names, but actually putting some thought behind how we present our need to them. It seems like each year, our theme pulls at the heart strings of different people.
Hi Jamie,
Can you please email me what job descriptions you have fon hand. that’s a wonderful idea.
Jamie, and Louisa,
I would also LOVE to see what you have put together. We are in the process of reshaping our ministries, and our approach to recruiting. Any HELP you can offer will we greatly appreciated!
Dave White
Christ Chapel Macon, GA
http://www.christchapelmacon.com
dave@christchapelmaconga.org