At FPC, we have tried numerous strategies over the years – some have worked and others have not worked so well. Last year, Art Jensen, our Pastor of Group Ministries, led us to implement groupLink – a strategy to connect attenders of FPC into a home small group experience. It has worked well for us.
Late last fall, Evan Crass, Pastor of Affinity Groups led us to try a new concept that was created internally called VolLink – a strategy to connect people with the ministries of FPC. We tried it once, learned from it and then Caroline Ervin, our Membership Director, implemented it as a strategic part of our Core Class process.
The results: phenomenal. The 1-hour “speed dating” type experience now connects about 70 people every 6 weeks into a ministry. We are seeing volunteerism increase in the church at a greater pace than before! Here’s what I’ve experienced:
- It doesn’t replace recruiting, but it does create new opportunities to recruit. Our volunteers and staff are now able to have a chance at people who desire to serve in ministry – it’s quick and efficient at getting them connected.
- It gives people the chance to see multiple ministries at one time. The 3, 8-minute “speed dating” sessions allow people to see different ministries in a one-stop environment. They can meet volunteers in that ministry and connect at that moment.
- It values people’s time. Doing this in 1-hour values people time and busy schedule.
- It builds relationships in ministries. Our people are having fun doing this. Each time, different volunteers have the chance to serve together and connect with potential volunteers. That’s the way you want it to happen – potential volunteers connecting with current volunteers first!
Give me your thoughts on what we can do better or what you are doing that works well.
Thanks for the info. Love the strategy for moving folks to serving. Would love to hear more of the nuts and bolts of how you guys pull this off.
I love VolLink, and can’t believe that we never thought of it before. I’ve heard it compared to a job fair for volunteers, which I thought was a pretty good comparison. It’s interesting to see how the different ministries try to make themselves stand out and be attractive to potential volunteers. It can become somewhat competitive, but always friendly!
[...] Every week we have the chance to work with awesome volunteers in our ministry. The church, unlike almost any other organization relies on volunteers to accomplish the work that has to be done throughout the week and weekend. This year alone at FPC, almost 300 people have connected with a ministry and are serving, mostly through a ministry tool we use called volLink. [...]