Most ministries in most churches can’t exist without volunteers.
I know, the wisdom just oozes from my ears. Try to keep up with my stellar brain-power, if you can. In all seriousness, the truth is; volunteers help the church go ’round.
Naturally, because a lot of our tools consist of computers, cables, connections and software, students are usually the fastest learners and have the most free time. They are eager to jump in, pick it up in no time, and can’t wait to tell their friends about how they are ‘experts.’
With the power of young volunteers who are at your beckon call and have the energy that comes with it, you’ll most likely inherit some irresponsibility too.
Memory Lane
I remember when I turned 14.
My dad was a pastor and I was pretty busy milking my PK (Pastor’s Kid) celebrity status for all it was worth. I wanted to do everything – play in the band, run the PowerPoint for worship and scripture slides, and design all the promotional materials for the church.
Through the years, I tried about everything. I didn’t have the work ethic to practice guitar and play it well, I just wanted to rock out (I found that to be hard when you can’t play). I even taught a Sunday school class, but didn’t stick with it. I didn’t have much direction, most students don’t. I didn’t care much about being at my volunteer post on time because I knew they needed me (and most students know this too). It wasn’t until later on when I started designing everything for the church that I found what I felt God had called me to do.
I tried things and I failed at most of them. Like many of us, I needed that time of my life to decide the direction my life was going to take. As I found what I really wanted to be involved with in the long run, I became more reliable, better equipped, and more invested in the ministry.
Focusing the Future
I know you probably have students involved in your ministry as volunteers, but challenge yourself to have a greater understanding towards their approach to ministry. It may be your job or passion, but they’re still trying to figure things out in their life.
If it comes down to you or pretty much anything their friends are doing, you will lose. If you are their ministry leader, make it your point to mentor them in Christ instead of guilt trips about being more responsible. Certainly those talks need to happen at times, but if they know you have them and their best interest in mind they will work harder on not letting you down.
Plan a “movie-night” with a bunch of them, or just a fun outing where you don’t “talk shop.” If you can really connect with them, you’ll find them doing their best to show up on time and focus on what they’re doing more. Those things are great, but what if they would even open up to you a little? Usually teens aren’t great at communicating with their parents. You don’t need to be perfect, you only need to be there–and that could change a life.
If I hadn’t had someone in my life that mentored me, who knows where I would be.
Maybe you are that student’s biggest idol. Maybe you’re the only leadership they listen to. Don’t take your challenge lightly, you’re helping shape the future of the ‘Big C’ Church. Jesus was pretty patient with his disciples. He shaped the future for God’s plan of redemption and built his Church using one of the ‘students.’
Technical Solutions for Youth Volunteers
On a technical note, I found when I created a Twitter account for @Creative_Media and had only my volunteers sign up for SMS updates, the younger volunteers loved it. Lets face it – their phone is attached to their hands anyway and they need to text anyone they can think of.
I even use Facebook and old school texts to remind them. If you haven’t considered these avenues, give ’em a shot! Discipleship is part of the Great Commandment, so we must try new things to get their attention so discipleship can take place.
Thoughts? How are you investing in our collective future?
Stuart says
Using our youth is key to our future. This is something we should all try to do and certainly I’m alway slooking for opportunities to involve our lot.
Nate Beaird says
I second that! The future begins today! Nice!
Nick Shoemaker says
Great post Nate.
I passed this onto our leadership dev team and youth team.
Thanks for sharing bro!
Nate Beaird says
Awesome! I’ll wait for their thoughts! We don’t always think about managing volunteers from this angle, but it’s important! As Stuart said, they’re our future!
Travis Fish says
Love this post! Volunteers are essential.
Nate Beaird says
As the Godfather of The 8 Bit Network, John, would say… “Booya!”
kylereed says
Great call to volunteers and mentoring youth.
This makes such an impact on students. I know for myself it was huge. I played in the band and served at the main service with the technical stuff. Really got me involved and taught me a lot. Invaluable.
Nate Beaird says
Kyle, any other thoughts for Greenhornet? (below)
greenhornet79 says
I’ve had a few youth workers on my tech team and I have to agree with the irresponsibility part. When they are serving they usually do a great job, but I have to stay on them the whole time.
Just this past weekend, I had one who has supposed to serve and he just didn’t show up. I sent an email earlier in the week, called him the day of, and he still didn’t show or let me know he couldn’t make it. To be honest, I’d rather stay away from youth volunteers after my current experience.
Maybe I’m going about it the wrong way. Any suggestions?
Nate Beaird says
I think there should be times when you have tough conversations with them. Maybe a system that gives them a couple free-outs, then it starts to cost them something (i.e. trust, position, reward, etc..)
Maybe there are adult volunteers that can connect with the youth too, try teaming them up together? Stick with it, they will get older and more responsible. 🙂
Stuart says
Sometimes youth just don’t want talking too.
Certainly don’t be condescending. Try and meet them at their level and see what they’d like to do … when I was chief usher getting youth to do ‘car park’ duty was easy – for some reason being able to walk round in a flourescent jacket, torch, walkie-talkie and acting like mini-despots seemed to appeal to them.
I think the two things that helped there was the autonomy they had to make decisions (and mess them up) and being able to play with a tech toy that they don’t usually have access too.
Same goes for working our OHP – we have more than enough youth willing that when one of them doesn’t turn up another is always willing to step into the breach. Then their own peer pressure gets to the late / non arrival.