www.creativeladiesministry.com

[BarbaraJean]

My husband and I have been at the same church for almost 10 years. We love our people and have a great relationship with them.
One problem we are having is getting people to volunteer their time to be active in ministry. Everybody is so busy and most of our ladies work outside the home (even the older ladies).
Does anybody have any advice on recruiting volunteers and ideas on ways to show appreciation to our church workers?
Would love to hear some great ideas!
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God Is Good All The Time. . .
Barb

[Prov31wannabe]

Recruiting?
All we have ever done is make the need known and prayed (a lot!!)...
On occasion, when voulnteers were scarce, we'd let something go undone and that was a very effective volunteer recruit technique.
When there were no snacks for 2 weeks in a row, we suddenly had lots of ladies bringing treats.
When precschool helpers got scarce, we sent the kids to be with their moms in their bible study classes and suddenly the volunteers arrived after that.

I do not recommend that method tho...last resort only.

If possible, comment to individuals----"I have noticed how enthusiastic you are...have you ever considered working with the kids? We could use someone once a month."
"You seem so organized. Did you know we need a secretary?"
"I have noticed how creative you are...we're always looking for ideas for our special event planning. Would you pray about joining us?"

As for appreciation:
I have a very strong opinion about this and I want to emphasize that this is just MY opinion!!
I think that people like to be thanked but they REALLY notice when they are left out. What I mean by that is, if you do any type of appreciation recognition, make sure you do everyone --- if you can't, then do no one.
Our current group has a volunteer of the month/quarter/year.
I do not like this.
So many people simply cannot do the big jobs or spend a great deal of time volunteering but they do what they can.
The event planners are important, but so are the "pencil-sharpeners".
It is my desire that our group do away with these volunteer awards and just have an end of year volunteer recognition luncheon.
Provide a meal and a token gift (past places I've been used a magnet or candle or a single flower ...very simple).

Those who served in a large capacity were given larger gifts but it was done privately.
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Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[Valmomy]

Good morning! I am brand new to these boards, but I KNOW that the Lord sent me here! Its so comforting to read all the posts, and find that we are just one big family...I mean, Lord says so..and I knew it already, but to read what could be MY OWN POST, and yet it is someone else who is dealing with the same thing...in our church we used to have a group of women that met together called SPUR group, which comes from Hebrews 10:23-25: " "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. " We would share our prayer requests, and pray together, and just help each other...it was so wonderful, and so IMPORTANT. I feel quite sure that this group here at creativeladiesministry.com is SPUR group..you know? I am so thankful for all of you, and look forward to getting to know each of you.
As far as your posts regarding "volunteers" etc., I know what you mean, and it CAN be discouraging. BUT, I am amazed at how much I have learned through the years, about the Lord's timing in Women's Ministry, as well as in other areas of ministry at church. There are seasons for things, and there are dry times, and there are full to overflowing times. Its like the tides...It is hard to understand all of why this happens, but one thing I do know--it's not a good thing to push things to happen before the Lord's timing. Not that you are pushing, but more the wishing that we could cause people to volunteer. One thing we don't want is someone to be doing something within ministry while there heart is not in it. Our church has been experiencing a dry time as far as ministry goes...but you know what? Last night we haad a planning meeting that was so exciting, so encouraging! Some of the younger ladies have come into the "Showers of Blessing" ministry (Bridal/Baby showers) which I am coordinating, and they have fresh ideas, and enthusiasm...it is like a breath of fresh air! We have a Women's Ministry coordinator who happens to be my very best friend, who has been being prepared for this role for years. Her hands and heart have been tied until right NOW...in His timing, when He has released her to say YES to taking over the Coordinating of Women's ministry. SHe has ALWAYS been involved in W.M., and has headed it up before, but we have just gone through years of wondering what to do...how to approach things...how to even "recruit", just as you are saying. I know JUST what you mean...and yet, and am convinced of this--His time or forget it....I am saying this firmly to MYSELF! LOL -something for us all to keep in mind, as we seek to serve him within various ministries....I hear myself saying these things to MYSELF, and I am so encouraged by His words! The answer is PRAY PRAY PRAY..and WAIT WAIT WAIT...He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Practically speaking, as far as asking volunteers to help out in different areas---I find that alot of times, women just need to REALLY KNOW what a job entails...time-wise, strength-wise...We have gotten into the habit of writing out meticulously the "JOB DESCRIPTIONS" so that women can understand what it will all involve --in other words, "Count the cost" (see Luke 14:28 )Also, as we have found at our little church, there are ALOT of working women. We have been searching to find what the needs of the women ACTUALLY ARE...working women do NOT have much in the way of time in the evening. Mainly, for W.M., to have a "Regular opportunites for fellowship", whatever REGULAR means...and however we can create opportunites for that to happen. I would encourage you to write down all the ladies' names, and see where they are in respect to the jobs, etc., and see how many owrking women you have. My dear friend did that just the other day, and we were shocked to find that most of the women work OUTSIDE the home at THIS point. They are quite protective of their evening HOME-time....understandably, and yet, we do miss seeing them at meetings, etc. My heart gravitates to the young mommies, as does my dear friend's, so we are seeking to find a Bible study time for them, in whatever capacity they can handle. They are the W.M. leaders of the future, so its important to try to provide ways for them to be EQUIPPED and ENCOURAGED. So, after my long winded posting ( ) I would say evaluate the amount of working women in your church, do all that you can do to enable the young mom's to be involved (their enthusiasm is contagious), and really put on paper the job descriptions of the "opportunites for service" positions that are available. Trust that the Lord will move hearts, and be willing to wait for a time, whatever time He deems necessary (SO hard, yet so true), and then always self-examine. This is such a long post, that I am going to post a song/poem of loving encouragement separately...KNOW that I am praying for all of you today, and that you are a blessing to this Jersey girl!
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Fondly, Val

Jeremiah 29:11-14
GOD HAS A PLAN!

[Valmomy]

"I am thine, Oh Lord--I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the CROSS where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious bleeding side. Amen."
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Fondly, Val

Jeremiah 29:11-14
GOD HAS A PLAN!