Volunteers Archives - Blog | Download Youth Ministry Blog

9 Dec 2024

Are You Frustrated with Volunteers?

By Ronald|2024-12-09T06:36:56-08:00December 9th, 2024|Volunteers|2 Comments

If you’ve been in youth ministry for a while, you’ve likely faced some common frustrations. I recently polled youth pastors in the DYM Facebook group to find out what challenges they face most often, and four key themes kept popping up:

Parental involvement
Lack of attendance
Fundraising issues
Volunteers

Let’s focus on the big one: volunteers.

Here are three of the most common frustrations youth pastors experience when it comes to volunteers—and one tip to address each:

Lack of Volunteers
It’s hard to find people willing to step into ministry, but sometimes, we make it harder than it needs to be. One tip: stop asking for “volunteers” and start asking for specific help. Instead of saying, “We need more volunteers,” try something like, “We’re looking for two adults who can connect with students in small groups twice a month.” People are more likely to step up when they know exactly what’s expected of them.
Commitment Issues
Many volunteers burn out or drop out because they feel overcommitted or underprepared. One tip: create a clear timeline for service. Instead of asking for an open-ended commitment, ask people to serve for a semester or six months. This allows them to evaluate their availability without feeling trapped, and you can use these intervals to check in, train, and encourage them to continue.
Maturity Concerns
Sometimes, well-meaning adults jump in but aren’t ready to handle the challenges of youth ministry. One tip: provide consistent training and mentorship. Don’t just throw volunteers into the deep end. Offer regular opportunities for them to learn skills like leading discussions, dealing with conflict, and understanding student culture. Investing in their growth will help them feel confident and capable in their roles.

These strategies can help you build a strong, committed team to support your ministry.

What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn what’s worked for you when it comes to recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers. Let’s help each other create ministry environments where volunteers thrive!

25 Nov 2024

Show Some Love to Your Volunteers!

By Ronald|2024-11-25T11:55:35-08:00November 25th, 2024|Volunteers|0 Comments

Volunteers are the backbone of every youth ministry. They invest their time, energy, and hearts into making a difference in the lives of students, and we often couldn’t do it without them. But how often do we let them know just how much we appreciate their efforts?

Showing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive; small gestures go a long way in making your volunteers feel valued and supported. Let’s dive into three actionable ways to show your team some love today:

1. Write a Handwritten Thank-You Note

In a world of quick texts and emails, a handwritten note feels like a warm hug. Take a few moments to write a heartfelt thank-you to one of your volunteers. Be specific about something they’ve done that made an impact—whether it was their leadership during a small group or simply their welcoming smile on a Sunday morning.

Why It Matters:
Personalized recognition reminds your volunteers that you see them and value their unique contributions. Plus, they’ll hold onto that note as a reminder of why they serve.

2. Publicly Celebrate Their Efforts

Whether it’s a shout-out during your youth service, a post on your ministry’s social media, or a highlight in your parent newsletter, take time to publicly recognize your volunteers. Share a quick story or fun moment that showcases their impact.

Why It Matters:
Celebrating them in front of others not only encourages the recognized volunteer but also inspires the rest of your team. It sets the tone for a culture of appreciation within your ministry.

3. Ask for Their Feedback

Sometimes the best way to show you value someone is to listen. Ask your volunteers how they’re feeling about their roles, what they need, and how you can better support them. A simple coffee meeting or a quick feedback form can open up meaningful conversations.

Why It Matters:
When volunteers feel heard, they feel empowered. Creating space for their input strengthens your ministry relationships and shows that you value them as partners, not just helpers.

Why Gratitude Matters

Expressing appreciation not only boosts your volunteers’ morale but also transforms your ministry culture. It fosters trust, deepens relationships, and makes your team feel like family. As you intentionally show love to your volunteers, you’ll see the ripple effects in their enthusiasm and commitment to serving.

So, who’s your first thank-you note going to today?

28 Oct 2024

Caring for Your Student Ministry Volunteer

By Ronald|2024-10-28T10:49:47-07:00October 28th, 2024|Volunteers|0 Comments

Let’s be real—volunteers are the backbone of youth ministry. If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I know, I’d be drowning without them,” then we’re on the same page. But here’s the question: are we *really* taking care of our volunteer leaders? Beyond the “thanks for being here” and an occasional slice of pizza? Here are some practical (and hopefully helpful) ways to take better care of the people who make your ministry happen.

1. Communicate Like They’re Family (Because They Kind of Are)
If your volunteers are the first ones to know when you get a new cat, that’s great! But let’s go deeper. Check in with them outside of youth night. Ask how they’re really doing, and be willing to listen when life isn’t all Instagram-filtered perfect. Bonus points if you actually remember the details and follow up. This builds a community, not just a team.

Quick Win: Send a text or quick voice memo each week to a couple of volunteers. A little personal outreach goes a long way.

2. Create “Snack Magic” Moments
Yes, I’m talking snacks. Not for the students—for the leaders! Think about it: most of them are coming straight from work or home with zero time to grab food. Setting out a quick spread can be a lifesaver. But here’s the trick: make it a surprise once in a while. Imagine the look on their faces when they walk into youth group to find fresh coffee, donuts, or even a taco bar.

Quick Win: Add a snack budget line just for volunteers, or team up with a generous parent to help make it happen.

3. Celebrate Wins—Big or Small
Did a volunteer connect with a student in a meaningful way? Did they survive leading a game that somehow turned into chaos? Celebrate it! Let your leaders know when they’re killing it, even if it’s in the small stuff. A simple shoutout, a post-youth group huddle, or even a card can make a huge impact.

Quick Win: Pick one leader every week to “spotlight” and shout out. Just make sure it’s authentic. Nothing feels worse than forced appreciation.

4. Invest in Their Growth
If you’re not developing your leaders, they’re probably not growing with you. Hold a mini-training every couple of months on practical topics like “How to Handle Tough Conversations” or “Keeping Your Energy High on Long Nights.” Not only does this equip them, but it also lets them know you’re invested in *their* growth, not just the students’.

Quick Win: Ask each leader what area they’d like to grow in, and send out occasional resources to match those needs. Keep it quick, but relevant.

5. Keep Ministry Fun, Not Just Functional
Sometimes we get so focused on making sure everything runs smoothly that we forget to make it fun. Let your volunteers in on the joy of ministry. Laugh together, play dumb games together, even go out as a group once in a while. When leaders enjoy being part of the team, they’ll bring that energy into their roles.

Quick Win: Plan a low-key night every couple of months just for your leaders. Bowling, bonfire, coffee hang—whatever works for your crew.

6. Ask for Their Input (And Actually Listen)
When was the last time you genuinely asked your volunteers what’s working and what’s not? They’re in the trenches with you every week, so listen up! Be ready to change something if their feedback says it’s needed, even if it’s uncomfortable. They’ll feel valued, and your ministry will improve in the process.

Quick Win: End every month with a five-minute “feedback chat” where they can share thoughts. Just let them know it’s a safe space to be honest.

7. Pray with Them and for Them
Yeah, it sounds obvious, but don’t miss this one. Praying *with* your leaders before every youth group creates unity, and praying *for* them throughout the week shows them you’re committed to their journey too. And if you’re comfortable, ask for prayer requests. You’ll be surprised how much it means to them when you follow up on that personal request they shared two weeks ago.

Quick Win: Keep a running prayer list for your team and check in regularly.

So, here’s the big takeaway: caring for volunteers isn’t rocket science, but it’s intentional. The more we invest in them, the more they’ll invest in students—and honestly, it just makes ministry way more fun. After all, we’re in this together. Let’s make sure our volunteers know we wouldn’t want it any other way.

21 Oct 2024

Clear Volunteer Roles Mean Success!

By Ronald|2024-10-21T07:54:23-07:00October 21st, 2024|Volunteers|0 Comments

Hey there, youth pastor fam! We all know volunteers are the heartbeat of student ministry, right? But here’s the deal—just because you have willing hands doesn’t mean you can throw them into the chaos and expect magic to happen. The key to maximizing the potential of your volunteer team? Clear roles and expectations. Trust me, when your volunteers know exactly what they’re doing and why it matters, your ministry will level up faster than a middle schooler who just discovered Mountain Dew. Let’s break it down into three simple but powerful points:

1. Clarity Reduces Chaos

Youth ministry is already a little chaotic—whether it’s dodgeball to the face or a student asking that question about Revelation during small group. The last thing you need is volunteers wandering around aimlessly, unsure of what to do. When volunteers know their role, they move from confused bystanders to confident leaders. Want someone to handle crowd control? Tell them exactly what that looks like—don’t assume they’ll know. By giving clear, specific tasks, you’re eliminating unnecessary stress for both you and them. Plus, it’s way easier to deal with middle schoolers on a sugar high when your volunteers have a game plan.

2. Expectations Build Trust

If your volunteers don’t know what’s expected of them, they’ll be left guessing if they’re doing a good job, and that’s frustrating for everyone. Setting clear expectations is like giving your volunteers a map—it shows them what success looks like and builds confidence along the way. Volunteers who know what you expect (whether that’s being on time, leading small group discussion, or remembering students’ names) are more likely to rise to the occasion. When they do, you start building trust, and trust is the foundation for a thriving team. Volunteers feel more valued, and you know you can count on them. Everybody wins!

3. Defined Roles Lead to Longevity

We’ve all seen it—amazing volunteers who burn out because they feel overworked or underappreciated. Part of the problem? Lack of boundaries. When you give volunteers defined roles, you’re giving them a lane to run in, which helps them avoid burnout. They know what’s expected of them, and just as importantly, they know what isn’t expected of them. Volunteers shouldn’t feel like they have to do everything; that’s a fast track to exhaustion. Giving them a specific role not only empowers them to thrive in that area, but it also keeps them from being spread too thin, so they’re more likely to stick around long-term.

So there you have it, folks! Clarity, expectations, and defined roles aren’t just nice things to have—they’re game-changers for your ministry. When your volunteers know what they’re doing, they feel confident, valued, and ready to serve for the long haul. And when that happens, your whole ministry starts thriving like never before. So go ahead, give your volunteers the clarity they need, and watch your ministry grow!

8 Jul 2024

Start Recruiting in the Summer

By Ronald|2024-07-08T04:49:53-07:00July 8th, 2024|Training, Volunteers|7 Comments

Summer is wild! You may be reading this from your summer camp bunk or on a mission trip in another country. You may even read this after finishing up a wild week and needing a pick-me-up.

So, why am I encouraging you to start recruiting fall leaders right now? Don’t you have enough to do already?

The reality is that people will commit to things in the fall long before you start your first small group meeting. They may even be committed to things before school starts for their kids! Locking down volunteers right now will ensure that you’ve got the leaders you need to make ministry great this next season!

And you can start recruiting by asking just three questions:

Who has been hanging around?

Whenever you have an event or start your summer programming, who are the adults that seem to be hanging around? Sometimes, you can identify a potential leader just because they hang out with students without being asked to! This doesn’t mean parents who throw their students out of the car while the wheels are still spinning make great volunteers, but parents who stick around and chat should definitely be on your radar!

Who do the students gravitate to?

In the same vein, who do your students normally move towards? This might be a parent hanging out or a college leader stopping by the student ministry to check out what’s going on. If your students are already gravitating towards this potential leader, why wouldn’t you keep track of them and put them through your volunteer process?

Who do your leaders speak highly of?

Leaders recruit leaders! People know that you are supposed to be gathering a team of ministry volunteers, but what about your leaders, who are around all the time? Who do they know in your church that might be a good fit for student ministry? Ask around and see who your leaders would recommend. You might be surprised at who they already have in mind!

Get ready to train them!

These aren’t the end-all or an automatic pass for volunteers! You’ll still need to meet with them, vet them, and train them to make sure they help the student ministry grow! Speaking of training, have you heard of DYM’s amazing training?

This Fall, kick off your ministry year with a customizable video-driven, fun, and helpful event, with practical youth ministry training for your volunteer youth workers. It’s packed with energy, discussion time, and fun-filled “we get you” memorable moments, and over the last 5 years we’ve trained 70,000+ volunteers!

23 Apr 2024

Encourage Your Volunteers!

By Ronald|2024-04-23T10:36:35-07:00April 23rd, 2024|Leadership, Volunteers|7 Comments

Springtime might be tough for a Youth Pastor, but it can also be difficult for a Youth Ministry volunteer! These are the people we rely on to help make ministry happen. We can’t do this thing by ourselves! So, how can you show volunteers appreciation and ensure they feel valued as a part of your team? I’ve got three quick ideas!

Send them a text

Sending a quick text message to a volunteer is a great way to show them you appreciate them! Normally, we text volunteers when we need supplies for a game or for them to put out a fire in the youth room. But if you spent the next 10 minutes texting your volunteer team, you could show them that you were thinking about them, appreciate their support, and give them a small encouragement that might carry them through the week! Something like:

“Hey Susan! Thanks so much for being on the team. I saw you having a great conversation with Samantha last night. I’m glad you’re doing Youth Ministry!”

“Hey Scott! It’s always great to see you throwing football and chatting it up with the dudes. Glad you’re on the Youth Ministry team!”

Grab Them a Snack

Ask your volunteers what their favorite snack is. And then next time you meet, have it ready for them. We do this with students all the time. Why shouldn’t we do this for our volunteers? It’s a great way to show them that we know them, we love them, and we were thinking about them. It doesn’t even have to be in the Youth Ministry budget for you to show this type of appreciation! Once you know their favorite snack, you can get it for them again! Think right before the retreat happens or at the end of the school year. You can show your volunteers appreciation just by running to the store real quick.

Sing Their Praises

Maybe not literally singing, but think of it this way: every time you get a microphone, it’s a chance for you to talk about how great your volunteers are. Maybe it’s when you’re making an announcement at church in service or before you break up for small groups. Make sure you tell your volunteers you appreciate them in front of people! It’s definitely not the only way to show people that you appreciate them, but it’s a great way to remind them that you are on their team and you are thankful for them! The next time somebody hands you a microphone, take 30 seconds to talk about how great your Youth Ministry volunteers are!

Did I miss anything? Is there anything you would add to the list? I’d love to hear about it!

26 Mar 2024

Exciting New Updates to This Year’s National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training

By jessica|2024-03-26T00:10:31-07:00March 26th, 2024|Leadership, Training, Volunteers|3 Comments

This video-driven, fun, and momentum-building event, with practical youth ministry training for your volunteers, is back for it’s 6th year! And we’ve made some exciting updates to ensure it’s tailored perfectly for you and your team.

NEW: You get to CHOOSE the training date!
We’ll deliver the training to you on August 1st, 2024!
NEW: Customize the training how you want the day to go.
The training will be hosted on Coleader, which means you can customize it however you’d like! Lots of flexibility… you can choose to make it shorter or longer.
NEW: Gold/Gold+ Members get 35% off!
Only $161 to own exclusively for your church or $259 to host (before April 1)! Learn more about Gold and Gold+.
NEW: Gift it to your community or CHARGE for admission!
Those who host can charge whatever they want. You’re in control of the pricing. Use it as a fundraiser or invite people to come for FREE.
NEW: Platinum Members get the training included in their membership! Learn more about Platinum.
NEW: Training topics & NEW speakers just announced!

Doug Fields
Author, Speaker and co-founder of Download Youth Ministry

Kristen Lascola
Junior High Pastor, North Coast Church and creator/host of “The Ministry Coach” podcast

Josh Griffin
Junior High Pastor at Mariners Church, Speaker and co-founder of Download Youth Ministry

Oza Jones
Director of African American Ministries for The Texas Baptists Convention

Zach Luben
Director of Chapel, Seaver College, Pepperdine University

Brock Morgan
Associate Pastor of The Bridge Chino, Speaker and Author of 20 books including The Anxious Teen

Jessica Sanchez
Youth Worker, Spiritual Director and part of the Download Youth Ministry team

Sean McDowell
Author, Speaker and Biola University Christian Apologetics Professor

2024 TRAINING TOPICS

Why your Youth Pastor NEEDS your Teamwork

5 Secrets of a Veteran Volunteer

Effective Up-close Discipleship

The Power of Asking Questions

Navigating Youth Group Drama

Faith Formation to the iPhone Generation

When Interruptions Become Ministry Opportunities

The Anxious Teen: Ministry That Builds Resilience and Connection to God

Prices increase on April 1st, sign up now to save $50!

Have questions?

Reach out to our team [email protected] – we’d love to connect with you!

16 Feb 2024

Training Your Volunteers Has Never Been This Easy!

By Josh Boldman|2024-02-16T09:49:35-08:00February 16th, 2024|Training, Volunteers|3 Comments

The amazing event continues this year with DYM’s 6th Annual National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training. A customizable, video-driven, fun, and momentum building event, with practical youth ministry training from Doug Fields, Josh Griffin and other youth ministry veterans and thought-leaders!

After 5 incredible years, we’ve decided to change things up to make this training work even better for you and your community! The “National DAY of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training” to “DAYS”.

Basically, you play it on a single day of your choice this Fall all at once, divide it up into 2-3 lunch gatherings, whatever is best for your people. This youth ministry training day “in a box” can be adapted to suit your specific needs and passions. Be as creative as you want to be or just press play!

You set the date(s) and invite youth ministry volunteers, we provide the complete training… it’s that easy!

Learn More!

Train your team exclusively OR host your team and other churches. You choose!

SINGLE CHURCH USE

HOST THE EVENT

Register now, prices go up soon!

5 Feb 2024

How Do I Recruit Volunteers?

By Ronald|2024-02-05T08:34:06-08:00February 5th, 2024|Leadership, Volunteers|2 Comments

We can’t do this ministry by ourselves! While it might be possible to take a group of students on a trip in the church van alone, there’s always a high likelihood that you misplaced a receipt, got lost on the way, or somehow lost a kid!

And I know I’m not the only one who really wishes there were someone else in the audience to help keep students focused and on task when I’m teaching a message or leading a game. For crowd control and to prevent receiving as many angry parent emails, volunteers are an integral part of any Youth Ministry! So how do you get them? Speaking from the Sunday morning pulpit might not be your best bet. Instead, try these four tips:

Ask parents to help make student ministry better: Some youth pastors don’t like asking parents to serve in ministry. Maybe it’s because they feel like students can’t be themselves if mom or dad is hanging around. Sometimes it’s because a Youth Pastor might feel intimidated by parents. Odds are, they’re older than you, and it might feel weird having volunteers around who are twice your age or could legitimately be your parent.The real reality is that they are invested in Youth Ministry going well! These are their kids we’re talking about! Parents can make the best volunteers because they have an inside track on what’s going on in their students’ lives, and they want the ministry to thrive.
Ask students who want to help lead the youth group: You might be surprised about how perceptive students are. Or maybe you know that students can tell who they would like to be around. If you were to ask a couple of students in your youth group who they would like to see volunteering in the student ministry, odds are that they have some names from your church.They may not be the people you would’ve chosen first, but if you ask them to serve because students mentioned them by name, you might find yourself a really helpful ally in your ministry journey!
See who naturally hangs around: When you have a youth group, is there somebody who is hanging out with the kids throwing a football in the parking lot? Is there someone who pops in just to help set up chairs or ask if you need any more snacks? Are there people who ask to be involved in Youth Ministry? This might seem like an easy win, but the reality is people might not volunteer if they’re not asked.When you see people at church naturally gravitating towards students, they might be worth getting to know a little bit better, and seeing if they would be a good fit for serving in the student ministry! Make sure to watch out for older church members as well who take time out of their day to stop and talk to students. Don’t ever discount a volunteer because they might be too old! If they love Jesus and like kids, they might be a great volunteer!
Ask those already serving: Does your church have people who already like to help, maybe they cook in the kitchen or hand out coffee or open doors before service. People who like to serve usually are looking for more ways to serve! There might be some church members who do too much and need to take a break, but don’t discount people or try to be the Holy Spirit for them. Ask if they would be willing to serve in student ministry and let them pray about it!

Have I missed any ways that you’ve recruited volunteers at your church? I’d love to hear them!

And need some resources getting these new volunteers on board? Check these out:

29 Nov 2022

4 Things I Have Seen All Healthy Volunteer Teams Have

By Justin Knowles|2022-12-06T13:58:40-08:00November 29th, 2022|Leadership, Volunteers|9 Comments

I don’t think I have ever heard a youth pastor say, “You know what, I have plenty of leaders. Why don’t you come and try to apply again in 6 months.”

Having volunteers is the life blood of any ministry, and I would say especially youth ministry. Taking on volunteers to onboard them, to make sure they know what to do, to make sure you set them up well to lead, and to care for them while they are in your ministry is vital, but also a ton of work.

Over the last 15 years I have learned some things in regard to caring for and leading volunteers. I wanted to share my top 4 thoughts when it comes to having a healthy volunteer team and structure. Again, this is not exhaustive or the ONLY 4 things, but as I have been reflecting in this season, I kept on coming back to these 4 things to keep in mind.

1. Pursue clarity before pursuing people.

The biggest sin in volunteers is just trying to get people to fill spots instead of finding the RIGHT people for those SPECIFIC spots you have laid out. Too many times I have seen leaders just throw volunteers into the mix without thinking through exactly how that person will operate and without fully knowing what they will be doing. What happens with that is an awkward conversation in 6 months when both them and you are frustrated. This is why it is vital to make sure we pursue clarity before people. Things you should probably think through so you can add the right people are:

How clear is your vision?
What will they do on service nights specifically?
What role do they hit to make your ministry move forward?
Are they trained well to lead students?
Do they know how to win as a leader?

2. Leaders who know how to win, win.

This one seems pretty simple, but it’s surprising to me how many ministries do not have their wins set. Everyone and their mother wants to know how to win in whatever they are doing. Everyone wants to know that whatever they are involved in, they are doing a good job in those things. Same with your leaders in your ministry. Do they know how to win in your ministry as a leader?

Leaders who have clear targets tend to hit those targets better. For us, we have the “4 F’s”. It’s short. It’s clear. It’s memorable. All leaders know that this is the win for them when they serve for us.

You can get out those 4 wins HERE

3. Leaders who know each other create a great culture.

This one is from my friend and co-worker Vivi Diaz. She said this in a way I didn’t really know how to describe other than “the vibe” of your team. But when you break it down, when you know the people you serve with, like really know them, it changes the game on the involvement and commitment of volunteers. She said that we have to remember that this is not them just serving in our ministry, but they are serving THEIR church and wherever they are serving they need to be connected into community. So do we look at our volunteers as people to help us do what we need them to do? Or are we intentionally creating an environment and opportunities for our people to truly know each other? Because when people feel like they are in community they are more bought in, more committed and love being a part of it.

4. You’re goal as a leader is “to be” (delegation and purpose)

I think some of the best leaders are the ones when it comes to game time they are just “available”. The person that comes to mind for me is our children director at our biggest campus. 600+ kids on the weekend, hundreds of leaders and she seems like she is “not working” on the weekends during services and standing around in front of the kid’s check in. But the truth is, she’s working well. She has set up her team well, they know how to win, she put in the work so she can be the most effective… which is “to be available” when things go down or she can be available to connect new families and make sure they are taken care of. In order to do that she has given real big tasks to her team. She has given away a lot of her ministry, trained up people, and set people up well. Leaders who are struggling are usually the ones who are not great at delegation and giving volunteers purpose for the serving.

Again, I don’t think this is anything crazy or knew, but something I feel as we get into the thick of ministry sometimes we forget. I can look back at some of the healthiest teams I have seen and it seems to have these 4 items in their ministry and culture.

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out episode 103 of the Youth Ministry Hacks Podcast

@justinknowles3