Six Ways to Grow Volunteer Ministry, and What it Can Do for your Church

These tips and tools were developed by our friends at TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship. For more ideas on how to encourage members to share their time and talent in holistic campaigns, see https://tens.org 

Volunteers such as those in the Altar Guild keep our churches and our community outreach programs running. Volunteering is also a vital way for our congregants to become truly connected to the church. Photo from Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i

Volunteers are unpaid staff in your church. We rely on them to carry out essential functions, many of which they do faithfully with little oversight. Here are a few strategies to help create a robust volunteer program in your congregation.

Conduct a Ministry & Community Needs Audit

• Purpose: Identify where help is actually needed, both within the church (e.g., acolytes, tech, greeters) and beyond it (e.g., food pantries, local schools, advocacy work).

• How: Hold a listening session or survey among members, ministry leaders, and neighborhood partners.

• Outcome: A clear list of opportunities, updated regularly, that reflects both internal needs and external service.

Create a "Serve with Us" Visibility Campaign

· Website & Social Media Presence:

• Build a dedicated "Serve" page on your website with photos, brief testimonials, and an easy signup form.

• Feature volunteer spotlights on social media—short stories from members about why they serve.

· Printed Materials:

• Include a “Ways to Serve” insert in your bulletin or pew cards.

• Post a volunteer board in the parish hall with a rotating list of current needs.

Make Volunteering the Front Door, Not the Back Room

• Promote Low-Commitment Entry Points: Short-term, one-off, or "try it out" opportunities are especially attractive to younger folks or newcomers who aren’t ready for a long-term role.

• Examples: "Serve One Sunday," "Lend a Hand Day," or join a team just for Advent.

• Include Non-Members: Make it clear that you don't need to be a member to serve—then accompany service with warm, authentic relationship-building.

Link Service to Formation and Belonging

• Offer short reflections, debriefs, or prayers at the start or end of service projects. This transforms tasks into discipleship experiences.

• Invite volunteers to occasional meals, formation groups, or church events, gently bridging service with deeper connection.

Empower Younger Members to Lead New Initiatives

• Ask young adults or teens what issues they care about—climate, housing, equity—and support them in launching church-supported responses.

• Provide mentorship, budget support, and a platform (e.g., speak in church or write in the newsletter).

  
  

Celebrate and Commission Volunteers Publicly

• Hold an annual Volunteer Recognition Sunday with blessings and visible gratitude.

• Post monthly shout-outs in bulletins, newsletters, and social media.

• Include photos of people serving joyfully, not just the finished product.

How This Drives New Membership

• Authenticity: People are more likely to stay where they feel useful and seen.

• Values Alignment: Younger generations often look for communities where service and justice are central—not just stated values, but embodied.

• Social Connection: Volunteering creates friendships, which are often the strongest predictor of church retention.

• Ease of Entry: People may hesitate to "join" a church, but will sign up to help with a community garden or lunch program. That’s the opening.

Learn more at TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship