1. Start volunteers slowly.
Don’t dump them in a class with a Sunday school for a quarter and say, “Tag, you’re it.” If you’re a dumper, the word is out on you! Start new recruits out watching, and add responsibility slowly. This is also the time to teach them your church’s way of doing things. Train them in your policies and procedures; these should answer the questions: “What do you want me to do?” and “How do you want me to do it?”
2. Immerse them in your vision.
Use every method available to you: spoken, written—whether on blogs, Web sites, or brochures—and visual. Let pictures and video tell your story. Vision is contagious. Over the years, I realized my vision is what kept me going. If that vision wouldn’t allow me to quit, neither would it allow others to quit.
3. Give them a model or example.
People do what they see. “Show” is a much better way to train than “tell.” When you model ministry on an ongoing basis, it keeps everyone moving forward on the same page.
4. Build trust.
If you want your volunteers to trust you, be a person of integrity and do what you say. Prove yourself; don’t lead by position only. Show people you are worthy to be followed.
5. Be real and transparent.
People like a leader who puts their pants on one leg at a time. Be normal; admit your struggles and shortcomings. Be approachable. Put yourself in the volunteer’s place, and look for ways to make their load lighter.
6. Invest your time in others.
The time you spend in others is never wasted. You cannot develop leaders without investing your time in them. Discipleship is taking someone who is Christ-like in an area and letting their Christ-likeness rub off on others.
7. Believe in them.
Give them a chance to do ministry. Let them learn by doing. “But Jim, they’re not as good as me!” There was a day you were not as good as you, but you learned by doing. Now it’s time to return the favor.
8 Encourage others.
Everyone I know could use a little encouragement. They not only respond well to it, but they flourish. Here’s a great habit to develop: Catch people doing things right! In fact, have your key staff write three thank-you notes each week—this practice will change your ministry.
9. Be a coach.
Coaches motivate, teach, make corrections, maintain team spirit, and point their team to the next level, both corporately and individually. Even the greatest athletes in the world have a coach.
