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Use this six-step process to call and work with volunteers in your educational ministry.
Define the ministry. Provide written descriptions that outline the tasks and expectations for each position. Discern the gifts of the people. What qualities do you seek in potential teachers? Look for people with gifts of teaching and building relationships. Remember to include seniors, recently retired people, young adults, or newcomers.
Gently invite. Be specific when you talk to an individual. Be honest about your expectations. Give them time to pray about a decision. Offer to meet with them to have further conversation about the task to which you are calling them. If a person declines the invitation, thank them for considering it. Don’t pester them. If God is calling them to the position, they’ll get back to you.
Provide training. Treat your volunteers as unpaid staff. Give them the resources they need to be the best teachers they can be.
Support and affirm. Encourage your teachers in their ministry with notes, a listening ear, small gifts, and prayer.
Evaluate. Meet with each teacher to reflect. What is working well? What is frustrating? What changes are needed for the teacher to feel successful? Where was evidence of God’s presence? Give a teacher the opportunity to stop if the experience is unpleasant for the teacher or the class. Regular evaluations and check-ins can ease or prevent the pain that happens when someone leaves in anger or frustration—or when someone has to be let go because it is just not working out.
How does your congregation call teachers? Let us know.
