My grandmother was a master gardener...without the benefit of formal training. I don't ever remember hearing her call a plant by its Latin name, but she could grow anything bigger and better than anyone else I've ever known. We'd walk amid rows of sprouts, and she would occasionally point out a stray shoot and remark, "That one came up volunteer."

Her phrase sounded peculiar to my young ears, but it made sense. The "volunteer" had survived last year's growing season to become a fruitful addition to my grandmother's favored plot.

Ministry volunteers are much the same. They make a productive contribution into the lives of women whey they are given freedom to thrive wherever they are planted. Here are some helpful hints that you can put into action as you seek out volunteers in your ministry.

5 Tips for Working with Volunteers

Ask: General pleas for help yield fewer responses and less commitment. A woman is more likely to commit when she is personally invited to participate. Another advantage is that you are able to share why she is specifically suited to the requested role.

Communicate: Clearly communicate these two things when asking a woman to commit to your ministry...

• Expectations: Let her know exactly what you are asking her to do, and provide her with a timeframe for completing the task.
• Explanation: Tell her why this role is meaningful and how her involvement will impact others.

Empower: Give her the tools she needs to complete the task. (e.g., budget, information, supplies, contacts, etc.). Then set her loose to do what needs to be done. Let her know you trust her by giving her freedom to follow through.

Check In: Set up a communication plan by making yourself available and letting your new volunteer know when and how she can keep you posted on progress.

Recognize: Give her credit. Say, "Thanks." Let her know she is valued and that her commitment matters. Remind her of the ways she is making an eternal difference. 

Now, to put this all to practical use in your ministry, we've put together a Volunteer Planning Worksheet that you can download and use as a guide for every new volunteer in your ministry. See the links below to download.