This may sound counterintuitive, but we don't ask for help at Granger Community Church. You won't see a bulletin ad indicating a need for volunteers. You won't hear one of the pastors talk about the shortage of workers in the children's area. You won't see "help wanted" signs posted on church bulletin boards.

Now, to set your mind at ease, this isn't because we've found the magic formula for recruiting volunteers to fill every single role that could ever exist in our ministry. We can always use more volunteers.

We don't need volunteers and we don't ask for help because we've learned that most people will not jump on a sinking ship. When you beg for volunteer help, you might be admitting, "I have no compelling vision for this area of our ministry, and, therefore, no one willingly serves. So I'm going to try to guilt you into helping out."

Of course there are some people in your church who will respond to your plea for volunteers. Understanding that ministry sometimes involves sacrifice, they'll serve in order to keep the ship from sinking. But when people end up serving a ministry that isn't in line with their gifts and passions, they will likely become frustrated and burned out. Then you will have created a vicious cycle: a ministry with no compelling vision and a bunch of people who'd rather not be serving in it. Oh, boy! Where can I sign up for that ministry team?

Help volunteers use their gifts 

Instead of telling people what you need, tell them how you can help them use their gifts and experiences. Explain how they can find purpose and fulfillment. Communicate the mission and vision of the ministry, and then tell them how they could influence the lives of others by filling a particular role. Share stories about people who are already serving, and let them explain why they love to give their time and talents to the cause. Better yet, share stories about people who have benefited directly from the ministry.

We still post volunteer openings in our bulletins. Instead of asking for help, however, we offer opportunities for people to contribute to the lives of others. The focus isn't on the ministry role; it's on the person who's interested in finding a ministry. The emphasis isn't on the service that needs to be performed; it's on the people whose lives are affected by the servant.

Reprinted with permission from "Simply Strategic Volunteers," by Tony Morgan and Tim Stevens of Granger Community Church.