From Adam Sharp, Youth Pastor: Crystal Valley Missionary Church

Leading Volunteers Toward Success

One of the hardest things we have to do as youth pastors is recruit, train, empower, energize, and schedule volunteers. They are the life blood of our ministries; we can't operate if we don't have those committed volunteers sitting next to students every week. Through my years of failing and messing things up with my volunteers, I have come up with three things that are essential for volunteer growth and longevity.

1. EMPOWER YOUR VOLUNTEERS. THEY ARE YOUTH PASTORS: When meeting potential volunteers, I tell them that the youth ministry revolves around them. They are the youth minister to students. I don't need chaperons to serve punch; I need adults who'll listen to kids' stories and have encouraging words for them. In our monthly meetings, we are always reiterating that to them. They are what makes this ministry move forward. Every month we allow the volunteers to tell others what they are learning about God. It's amazing to me when our entire meeting consists of God stories from our leaders. They just want to talk about what God is doing in their own lives. It's fantastic! So empower your volunteers to do ministry because they are the real youth pastors!
2. EMPOWER YOUR VOLUNTEERS WITH THE HEART OF CHRIST: It takes time to build a healthy team. There are no short cuts or drive thrus when it comes to building a team whose heart is set on Christ. During your meetings allow your volunteers to be real with one another, talk about personal issues, and allow for prayer time. There needs to be space for depth in your meetings. It's okay if you spend less time on the youth calendar if there is a felt need being met and your group is becoming closer. Email your leaders resources and articles that you feel might be helpful to them. This is one thing I have been trying to work on this year. I feel like in the past I have thrown volunteers out to the wolves without being properly trained. Now, I listen to my leaders, I give them advice, but as I am reading on my own, I send that leader an article specific to what we talked about at the last meeting. Resource your leaders and you will be amazed at what they will glean when you supply them with the right training.
3. EMPOWER YOUR VOLUNTEERS BY BEING HONEST WITH THEM: A lot of youth pastors back down from confrontation and hope that the situation will go away with prayer and ignoring the issue. There will be times where you need to pull a leader aside and be honest with them. They might not be ready to be a small group leader, worship leader, sound guy, greeter, or driver. Your job is to help them grow towards Christ and when you ignore the situation, you aren't doing your job. Whenever you confront someone with an issue, allow them a path back to the group. I have seen too many people removed from a ministry and they have never come back because they thought they weren't wanted anymore. Have a plan for them whether its counseling, or one on one meeting with another volunteer, to help them grow through the situation they are in. Try to bring restoration in that relationship. Christ's heart is all about restoring shalom back to His people.

Be a blessing to those students and adults you serve. Keep fighting the good fight...don't give up, don't give an inch, and to God be the glory!


What are some things you have learned in working with volunteers? All legitimate comments from MCNCD youth pastors will receive a $5 iTunes gift card.