What is Your Volunteer Rate (and why should you care?)

 

What is Your Volunteer Rate (and why should you care?)

Imagine, having a full 40% of your weekend congregation plugged in to ministry and volunteering in some way. Most churches never come close to this percentage. But imagine a large church of almost 6,000 people hitting that mark. That's nearly 2,400 people volunteering their time and talent in some way to the church. Granger Community Church in Granger, IN is making it happen, and a recent interview at Pastors.com with Granger's Pastor of Connections, Mark Waltz, gives some great insight into Granger's philosophy and how they get so many people involved in ministry.

So… how does Granger do it?  Mark believes it’s all about two things – casting a vision and developing a culture of volunteerism.

“We teach about it and organize ministry around [volunteering],” Waltz said. “We don’t allow any islands and do everything in teams. When people know they matter, they tend to respond.”

This expectation is empowering to the staff, who are coached to release more and more of the responsibilities, so they will have more time to do the things in which they’re gifted. It’s easy for leaders to get caught up in doing all the tasks that need to be done rather than leading, Waltz said. What motivates people is allowing them to serve God in the areas they are most passionate about or that align with their life purpose.

“All of us want to know we matter,” he said."It’s not enough that the church needs you or the fourth grade boys need you. It has to be about how my purpose is fulfilled.”

Senior Pastor Mark Beeson’s role looks different now than it did a few years ago when he founded the church, Waltz said.

“I’m sure his process of handing off and letting go has been challenging and difficult,” he said of Beeson, who started the church in 1986. “When you plant a church, you own it, it is yours, and you know how you want to fulfill the vision. Sometimes, it’s about giving up what someone can do better. We are practicing this.”

At least once a year, the teaching team talks about serving and volunteering in a weekend series, presenting the biblical call to step up and to find fulfillment in his weekend message. Volunteer expos and checklists show potential volunteers what opportunities exist in the ministry of the church.

In addition, those attending C.L.A.S.S. 301 have the opportunity to sit down with an interviewer who will help them understand their purpose or S.H.A.P.E. The interviewer then can help that person plug into opportunities that best match his or her passions, interests, and desires.

“The interviewer helps that individual learn how he or she is wired,” Waltz said.

Volunteer opportunities aren’t limited to the church. Waltz said that on the second Saturday of each month, church members converge on five or six places in their community, assisting with non-profit groups such as Feed the Children. An average of more than 150 people of Granger Community Church have participated in these outreaches on any given “Second Saturday.”

“It’s a great opportunity to impact our community with the love and hope of Christ,” he said.

The church’s Web site also maintains a list of volunteer opportunities others may fill. Members may log onto the site to explore opportunities and the steps to connecting to each ministry area.

Even though the Web site, volunteer fairs, and interviewers help to build the volunteer base, Waltz said there’s no substitute for the old-fashioned way – shoulder-tapping. Most people – inside and outside the church – will volunteer because somebody personally invited them to join them. Ministry and team leaders are responsible for inviting people to help on their teams.

“Shoulder-tapping surpasses anything we do,” Waltz said. “When two people invite you to serve alongside them, it’s personal. Often people are just waiting to be invited.”

Have you taken the time to figure out how many people you actually have volunteering over a give month?  It may be worth your while to take an hour or so and really look into how you’re doing in this area.  How many of your attenders from yesterday are actually volunteering in one way or another.  The answer may surprise you.

For more detailed information on Granger’s vision casting and culture of volunteerism, I highly recommend Mark’s book, “First Impressions”, available here.

FOR DISCUSSION: What is your volunteer percentage?  What have you done to make it as high or as low as it is?  What can you implement in the future to get more people involved in ministry?

 

An artist stands in front of a blank canvas. The palette holds only three primary colors. Yet, with a clear vision and a creative spirit, the artist blends these “3ssentials” to unlock a world of endless and exciting possibilities.

Every Christ-following small group can become a living, breathing work of art as its members move into closer relationship with one another, are increasingly transformed to Christ’s image, and reach out in His name to touch a hurting world. Like a convergence of colors, a small group can bring inspiration and joy to those within the group, as well as to those around them.

To become this expression of authentic, biblical community, small groups benefit from the direction of a careful, caring eye of someone intent on bringing out each group’s unique depth, tone, and texture. The Small Groups Conference 2006 is an exciting opportunity for you to discover new ways to play that role more effectively. Come explore the “3ssentials” of dynamic small group life—relationship, transformation, and mission—and return home ready to unlock a rainbow of potential in the group or groups you lead.

Join Erwin McManus, Bill Donahue, Donald Miller, Sheryl Fleisher, Randy Frazee and others (including worship with Charlie Hall) at this year's Willow Small Groups Conference. If you need to build community in your church, then you need to attend this year's 3ssentials Conference! Click here for more information or to register.