Relationship Building
Who’s in Charge?
he execution phase follows the conception phase. This phase determines who’s in charge of what, how things are going to happen, and what the actionable steps are to get the required work done. Specific roles are key, whether it’s set designers or volunteer coordinators - your team is better when everyone knows who’s in charge of what. Establish the Division of Labor After you’ve defined the vision for your service, the next step is to assign tasks to team members. This phase is about making sure that the right people have the right tasks that play into their strengths. A division of labor is important for executing small or complex services. Delegate tasks to those who’s strengths best suit the task. Leveraging Volunteer Resources We all know that volunteers are the lifeline of our churches, no matter the size. Identifying a volunteer’s strengths is crucial for managing your resources well. Volunteers help ensure that all tasks are covered and that the event runs smoothly. Volunteer coordinators are a great position to have to help organize manpower. Utilize Tools for Planning In the detailed planning stage, whiteboards and spreadsheets are vital tools. Outline the workflow for your church and set deadlines for tasks to be completed. These tools also help communicate the division of tasks among your team. Organizational tools are key to help manage the event planning process. Visual aids can help track progress and delegate tasks. Build Community through Projects Delegating tasks helps with the practical parts of planning services or events. It also helps foster community and involvement within your church. Involving volunteers and community members can create strong connections that draw more people into your church’s ministry. Involving volunteers in church projects builds communi
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Equip Your Team for Service
Resourcing your team with detailed planning and communication is critical to your services. Prepare for music cues, lighting cues, and various other aspects of your service before you get in the room. Clear goals and wise communication helps improve your services and relationships with your team. Access to Necessary Materials Team members need access to all of the resources they need before the weekend. This includes song lists, arrangements, scripts, miscellaneous logistics information etc… When your team is equipped with the resources they need, they’ll be able to practice effectively and walk in feeling prepared for their role. It’s important to make materials accessible, in a location such as Planning Center for better team preparation. The team needs any resources that would help them learn new songs or new information before rehearsals. Specific Requirements for Technical Teams For tech teams, knowing all of the information isn’t just a suggestion - it’s vital. This involves communicating requirements for different parts of your service, such as the desired atmosphere during welcome moments or transitions. Deciding these details and communicating them beforehand lets your tech teams prepare and it improves the rapport you have as a team leader with your volunteers. Plan audio, video, and lighting requirements in advance. Communicate specific cues and settings necessary to support the service’s desired outcome. Creating Compelling Moments Creativity is necessary in planning church services with intention. This applies to every service you do, whether it’s one of the big ones like Easter or Christmas, or your typical weekend service. Give teams clear plans and creative ideas to execute that foster compelling moments for your congregation to engage with. Plan for dynamic and engaging service openers. Creativity and detailed planning are key to create compelling moments.
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Retaining Volunteers
Dillan and Jeff explore the essential elements of fostering a vibrant volunteer culture within your church. The critical aspect that most churches are missing is retention. Their discussion delves into the importance of showing genuine appreciation and care for volunteers. They also discuss establishing a foundation for long-term engagement and involvement in your church.
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Recruiting Volunteers
There’s typically three main parts to any volunteer’s journey. Those three parts are the recruiting, the training, and the retaining. Dillan and Jeff dive into effective volunteer recruitment and offer a fresh perspective on building a vibrant volunteer team.
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Training Volunteers
Dillan & Jeff discuss effective strategies for training volunteers. Their discussion sheds light on the challenges of maintaining skills, while also caring for your team. They also take a look at practical solutions for team cohesion, especially with volunteers who serve infrequently.
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Volunteer Development Course Overview
Dillan Howell and Jeff Sandstrom talk through equipping you as a church leader, whether staff or volunteer, with the necessary knowledge to cultivate a thriving volunteer culture in your church community. Explore the essential elements of volunteer development which include recruiting, training, and retaining your volunteer teams. Dillan and Jeff offer practical strategies, personal insights, and actionable steps to enhance the volunteer experience at your church.