Volunteers

A preteen girl sits among preschoolers at a VBS. She is a leader at the event.

Leader Resources

Read in

5 mins

How to Develop Preteens Into Effective, Ethical Leaders

Preteens have an incredible four-year window that’s critical for influencing the future leaders in our communities. Here’s how to make the most of it. There are four fertile years when…

Read More

A mom stands in a circle of children's ministry volunteers. She recently commit to serving in the ministry.

Family Ministry Resources

Read in

4 mins

6 Secrets to Getting Parents to Commit to Your Ministry

Here’s how to successfully get parents to genuinely commit to your children’s ministry — without making them crazy or eating up all of their spare time! Today’s parents. They’re returning…

Read More

A young female volunteer hugs an early elementary girl.

Leader Resources

Read in

8 mins

11 Ways to Recruit Volunteers That Stick

The two most common complaints from children’s ministers everywhere are along the lines of either “I need more volunteers” or “How will I ever get my existing volunteers to stick…

Read More

leader talking to volunteer about behind-the-scenes opportunities to serve

Leader Resources

Read in

4 mins

Top 10 Behind-the-Scenes Children’s Ministry Volunteer Roles

Consider recruiting these 10 behind-the-scenes volunteer roles to serve in children’s ministry at your church. When you picture “children’s ministry volunteers,” you may see teachers, worship leaders, and classroom helpers.…

Read More

Man in his 30s sitting in the coffee area of a church. He's sitting across from a young woman in her twenties. They are smiling and shaking hands.

Leader Resources

Read in

7 mins

31 Expert Tips for Outstanding Volunteer Management

Even if you’re conflict-adverse, you can handle coaching, discipline, and even dismissal like a pro with these expert tips for outstanding volunteer management. Volunteers are human. They get stressed, fall…

Read More

Three women sitting on a couch. The middle one is smiling as she reads a thank you card.

Leader Resources

Read in

5 mins

98 Ways to Say “Thank You!” to Your Volunteers

Gracias! Dankeschon! Merci! In any language, these ideas will help you say thank you and express your gratitude to volunteers’ hearts. “Thanks” is such a simple word, and it comes…

Read More

Leader Resources

Read in

2 mins

Creative ways to find volunteers!

Where in the world can you find VBS volunteers? When it comes to recruiting volunteers for VBS, the obvious place to start is with your regular weekly children’s ministry volunteers…

Read More

A young woman with curly hair and glasses smiles at her VBS crew during snack time.

Leader Resources

Read in

2 mins

5 Reasons the Best VBS Teams Come Back Every Year

You worked hard to recruit an amazing team of VBS volunteers. How can you ensure they’ll want to join your VBS teams year after year? Maybe you can even recruit…

Read More

A VBS volunteer smiles as she points at a young boy. He is sitting next to a young girl.

Leader Resources

Read in

3 mins

A Solid Strategy to Keep Your Volunteers After VBS

Once the dust settles following VBS, you may worry about whether your weary volunteers will stick around. Here’s the short answer: They will if you employ a strategy for volunteer…

Read More

A male and female volunteer talked to each other as the woman is holding a cup of coffee.

Leader Resources

Read in

4 mins

Good, Better, Best: 6 Creative Ways to Affirm Volunteers

Use these six creative ways to affirm volunteers. You’ll find a good, better, and best option for all six! Good, Better, Best: 6 Creative Ways to Affirm Volunteers 1. Living…

Read More

A female volunteer smiles joyfully.

Leader Resources

Read in

3 mins

5 Ways to Care for Your Children’s Ministry Volunteers

We all know that eager (and reliable) volunteers can be hard to find. So once an A+ volunteer walks through your doors, you want to ensure they’ll stick around. But…

Read More

A female volunteer smiles as she leads another volunteer.

Leader Resources

Read in

9 mins

How to Elevate Volunteers From “Helping” to Leading

How to elevate your volunteers from “just helping out” to leadership roles in your ministry. Just uttering the words “we need leaders” in the church is likely to send people…

Read More

A woman volunteer sits on the gras as six preschoolers surround her in a group hug.

Leader Resources

Read in

1 min

3 Ways to Make Life Easier for Your VBS Volunteers

From Group Publishing’s vacation Bible school editors, check out these 3 ways to make life easier for your VBS volunteers! We know that volunteers are vital to making VBS a…

Read More

Bible Activities and Sermons

Read in

1 min

Free VBS Prayer Cards

With VBS season fast approaching, now is the perfect time to pray for your VBS program with your congregation. No matter where you are in your planning process, you can…

Read More

A children's ministry leader smiles at two volunteers as she creates an irresistible culture in her ministry.

Leader Resources

Read in

1 min

4 Ways to Develop an Irresistible Culture in Your Ministry

Culture is your brand. The way your team greets people, deals with challenges, ministers to kids and families, and even says goodbye is a part of it. The look and…

Read More

An older male volunteer talking sitting a table with a few other volunteers.

Leader Resources

Read in

2 mins

8 Quick Tips to Equip Ministry Volunteers Almost Instantly

Quick tips to equip — all you have to do is add volunteers! Here are 8 ways to equip your volunteers. Since we live in an instant-everything culture, we’re always…

Read More

Woman in a flannel shirt talking to another person at the table. She's asking a question.

Leader Resources

Read in

6 mins

10 Best Ways to Ask a Volunteer to Serve

Check out the 10 best ways to ask a volunteer to serve—from an experienced advertising director. You’ve scouted the best prospects for your volunteer positions, you’ve made lists and organizational…

Read More

A group of preschool boys run during a summer program.

Leader Resources

Read in

3 mins

21 Creative Hacks for Your Easiest Summer Programs Ever!

Use our handy emergency-preparedness guide to ensure your summer programs stay on track. 21 Creative Hacks for Your Easiest Summer Programs Ever! 3 Ways to Get VBS Supplies Waiting until…

Read More

Teenage girl reading to a preschooler. They are both smiling.

Leader Resources

Read in

4 mins

Teenagers May Just Be Some of Your Best Children’s Ministry Volunteers

Short on volunteers? Wondering where you’ll find people that younger kids really connect with? You may just have an entire group of these wonderful folks right in front of you:…

Read More

Lovely woman smiling at a mom as she welcomes her to their fall fest program.

Leader Resources

Read in

5 mins

7 Tips for Recruiting Volunteers We Can Learn From Jesus

Ask children’s ministers what their top three ministry needs are and 99.9 percent will list volunteer recruitment as one of those three needs. It’s painfully difficult to capture busy people’s…

Read More

A young female volunteer works with four kids at a table.

Leader Resources

Read in

2 mins

7 Things to Do When Short on Children’s Ministry Volunteers

With these seven things to do when short on children’s ministry volunteers, you’ll solve a volunteer crisis quickly. If you’re staring at empty rooms and you can hear the impending…

Read More

Get free weekly resources from us!

Got it! Would you also like offers and promos from Group?

Thanks, you're all set!

Our Pins!

Subscribe to Children's Ministry Magazine