Thanks for tuning in for the unSeminary podcast. Today, we have repeat guest, Nick Blevins, the Children and Student Team Leader at Community Christian Church in Maryland. He is also the cofounder of Ministry Boost which helps leaders fast forward their growth in ministry through training, coaching, and consulting. Every church out there could use more volunteers. How can we recruit them consistently, not only when there’s an urgent need? Tune in as Nick offers a proven framework to help your church recruit, train, and empower more volunteers. * Take time for recruitment. // Most church leaders don’t learn volunteer recruiting in seminary, have a strategy for it, and don’t spend much time doing it. Yet volunteers are the backbone of our churches. Nick has written a book called “The Volunteer Playbook: A Proven Framework to Help Your Church Recruit, Train, and Empower More Volunteers” which provides a structured approach to building your volunteer team. He recommends taking 2-3 hours a week to get started with this process. * Five-part framework. // The first step in the framework involves identifying and making initial contact with potential volunteers. Think about how many volunteers you need and multiply the number by ten. This is the number of prospects you need, or your volunteer conversion ratio. For example, if you need 50 volunteers, you’ll need to look at 500 prospects. * Identify prospects. // Use your updated church database to identify individuals who are not currently serving but could be potential volunteers. Nick recommends sending two emails and a text message over a span of three to four weeks. The initial email should invite prospects to a conversation, allowing them to share their stories and experiences with the church. Remember many potential volunteers may need a gentle nudge to engage. This process is about building connections. * Have a conversation. // Once you’ve identified prospects, the second step is to have a genuine conversation. The framework is not just about recruiting, but about ministering to people. Put your pastor hat on and think about what someone’s next best step is. Listen to what is going on in their lives. Volunteering may not be the next best step right now, but what other connections can you make, or steps can you help them take? * Cast vision. // The third step, orientation, serves as a bridge between initial interest and commitment. Orientation isn’t about policies and boring handbooks, but rather gives potential volunteers the opportunity to learn about the ministry, its impact, and the specific roles available. Cast a compelling vision during orientation and help potential volunteers understand why they should say yes to serving. * Onboarding and placement. // Once individuals have committed to serving, the last two steps involve onboarding and placement. These steps are essential for ensuring volunteers feel supported and equipped in their roles. If you onboard and train well, then volunteers get placed and serve well, and that sets up good retention. Have new volunteers apprentice with experienced ones for a few weeks. This mentorship approach allows new volunteers to learn the ropes in a supportive environment, increasing their confidence and commitment to the role. * Build a foundation. // Once you have your volunteers in place, then you can focus on building your foundation. Creating a culture of volunteerism within the church is crucial for long-term success. Focus on structuring for growth and empowering your volunteers. Identify the things that will move the needle and boost future recruitment. You can pick up a copy of Nick’s book at a hre...