When recruiting volunteers for kids ministry, so many leaders walk into the recruiting conversation apologetic and sheepish. They come to the conversation feeling like they are a bad person that is taking something away from this potential volunteer. As they present their ideas, they feel as if they are a robber of time and energy.
“I know this is a burden to you, but …”
or
“I know you are super busy and have tons going on, however …”
You are opening up the conversation with a posture not of power, but of a pathetic and horrible opening position. Understand that you are providing someone an opportunity, with their one and only life, to lay up treasure in heaven, not burdening them by asking them to serve. You are allowing them an opportunity to serve in the kingdom of God and influence children for eternity. This is not a small thing. You are not taking from them. You are investing in them.
What would happen if you simply changed your language from a negative posture to an opportunistic posture? Leaders who position a volunteer opportunity as laying up treasure in heaven and making an influence in the kingdom of God go significantly further than those who come to the conversation with an attitude of sorrow and burden. You are not a burden to those you lead.
Simply by stating this as an opportunity to serve in the positive will greatly diminish the idea that what they are getting themselves into is a pain or a burden. You’re the leader. You frame the conversation. Simply frame it in the positive, don’t oversell the sacrifice.
As ministry leaders it is important to understand that you’re not only inviting them into an opportunity to make an impact on the kingdom of God, but you’re also inviting them into an opportunity for community. If your ministry is set up in a healthy way, they will be rubbing shoulders with other leaders. These are things that are important. These are things that you can showcase as opportunities and wins, rather than identifying them right off the bat as losses.
Another way to showcase the opportunity is by using the marketing concept of scarcity. Rather than saying, “We have 10 roles to fill,” try saying, “We only have 10 opportunities left.” That simple word change allows a volunteer to see that they might not be able to receive one of these roles. They could maybe miss out. So, to say, “We only have three opportunities left to work with the kids ministry this year. I know we’re going to fulfill them, and I want to provide you an opportunity to be a part of this team,” lets the potential volunteer think about missing out on that amazing opportunity.
Choose your language wisely. Don’t oversell the sacrifice. Overshare the opportunity that they have in the kingdom of God.
First published on KidMinScience.com. Used by permission.
