5 Reasons People Don’t Volunteer and What You Can Do About It

Volunteering is a vital component of our churches and our nation. In fact, one in four adults volunteer. People volunteer for a number of reasons from aligning with their personal values, convictions, and beliefs to the idea that it’s better to give than to receive. If so many people are primed for serving others, why does it seem like recruiting volunteers is so challenging? The good news is, once you understand the reasons people don’t volunteer, it’s fairly simple to implement changes that lead to more productive recruiting.

Here are the 5 reasons people don’t volunteer…and what you can do about it!

1. Not a good match

Fix: Instead of forcing a square peg into a round hole, help people discover how God has gifted them and which ministry opportunities match that gifting.

Tip: Use a tool like Group’s Spiritual Gifts Discovery to help people discover their own spiritual gifts.

2. Unclear expectations

Fix: Create written descriptions for all the volunteer roles clearly outlining their responsibilities, who they report to, length of service, and any training or other resources provided.

Tip: We have observed that ministry leaders have a fear of asking people for too much, worried they won’t serve. But the outcome is volunteers who are less committed. By clearly setting expectations, you communicate how important the person is which creates a spirit of commitment.

3. Lack of appreciation and recognition

Fix: People don’t volunteer to be praised, but often they drop out because they feel unappreciated or unnecessary. Be sure to thank and recognize your team for what they do and who they are.

Tip: No grand gestures are required. Volunteers told us that a simple thank you will do!

4. No training provided

Fix: Before a volunteer begins in their ministry role, be sure to provide basic orientation as well as training in the specific skills they’ll need to thrive in the role.

Tip: Ask your team if there’s any specific training they’d like to receive in addition to what you already provide. Then be sure to follow through.

5. Never asked/invited

Fix: Most people in your church aren’t serving because no one has asked them to. So the simple fix is to just ask (or as we prefer to say—invite)!

Tip: The more personal the invite, the better. Remember, you’re not just looking for warm bodies. You’re looking for someone that’s a good match for the role—someone gifted for the position you need to fill. So when you ask, take the time to point out why you think they would be a good fit for the role! Observe first. Invite second.

**These tips are brought to you by Group U’s course titled L.I.F.E. Strategy for Recruiting & Equipping Volunteers.

Need more recruiting tips? Check out these articles:

7 Tips for Recruiting Volunteers We Can Learn From Jesus

Tips for Effective Volunteer Recruiting

Creative Ways to Find Volunteers

FREE Download: Overflow Volunteer Recruiting Package