Bolstering the Team

I realized as I wrote some thank you notes for people this past weekend just how dependent we are on volunteers to make so much in ministry happen. Especially in this pandemic, we rely particularly on those computer gifts and recording skills as well as those helping to lead services that, for many of us, are still online only.

At my church, we have one person able to do the work ‘in the booth’ (and because of Covid there can only be one person up there because the equipment doesn’t allow for distancing) and then edit and upload the finished service. Because a single person has to work the camera, sound levels and powerpoint, I joke about how he’s a one-armed paper hanger. I shudder to think what we would do without him. And right now is really not the right time to train a back-up. This needs to be on our radar in future safer times.

I’m sure we’re not alone in this reliance on a few with a specific skill-set who, amazingly enough, have families that want to spend time with them and to take holidays. Because these are typically volunteers, in these times especially, we need to be flexible to their needs as well as caring about their well-being and safety.

This blog isn’t about establishing and following Covid-19 protocols (although every church needs a handle on these and to create them based on current local public health, government and denominational guidelines). Rather it’s about those things that we need to keep in mind about everyone’s energy as what we had hoped to be a sprint has definitely turned into a marathon. The new and different ways of worshiping have changed us and the volunteers that we need, even if we are back to in person worship. How best do we equip ourselves and others to last?

  1. Identify where you are at and what’s working or could use tweaking. We’ve been at this long enough that we could be lulled into a sense that all is going fabulously well. Check in with your volunteers to see how their energy level is and how they’re adjusting to this stage of the pandemic in other parts of their lives. Listen carefully. Treat them as valued people whose ministry is impacted by what is happening at home and in the rest of their lives.

  2. Recognize that right now everything is taking more energy for everyone. Our services have been scaled back a bit in length to adjust to a completely online experience. Watching from home is a very different experience than being in the sanctuary. What is being asked of volunteers is typically scaled back too. People are asked less frequently and with less time commitment just because of the anxiety of some of being in the space. We’ve found workarounds for a variety of concerns to enable people to still participate in a way comfortable to them.

  3. With so many other ‘normal’ church activities not happening at the moment, it may also be a good time to encourage someone to try something new. Without the pressure of a bunch of people in front of them, some may feel more comfortable leading in worship or sharing a musical gift. They may be more open to delivering items or phoning shut-ins to check in on them. As people offer and step up, take note of how it went and check in after to see if they would consider doing this again.

  4. See what resources you can provide to those volunteering, whether that be a mentor who can phone and walk through the task with them or inspirational reading materials or check-in texts or other messages to assure them that they aren’t alone. Without gathering as a community it can be easy to feel isolated and not knowing what’s going on. Provide as much clear communication as possible to fill the void.

  5. Be creative as you pick up on cues from people that they are interested in helping in some way in this time. Even those stuck at home can pick up a phone and encourage someone. Those anxious about meeting with others can garden or make no contact drop-offs or send an inspirational note to someone online. Think about how all generations could uplift the spirits of others in safe ways.

  6. Take care of you by setting boundaries of time when you are unplugged. Remember that you aren’t the Messiah and that God can handle this pretty much alone. We’re just privileged to be invited to participate in what God is already doing. If we are run down, not sleeping enough or eating well, then we are prone to become sick, anxious and unable to do our ministry, not to mention the risk of making others sick. Stay safe and avoid home visits for your sake and those in the congregation.

  7. Celebrate the ministry that is carrying on despite the obstacles Covid-19 has thrown in the way of a normal church season. In this time it can be hard to remember all the good that is happening. Recognize and thank volunteers and staff regularly and publicly. They are all accepting at least some risk by coming on site or through opening themselves to others in this difficult time. These people need to know that they are amazing and should be encouraged especially when others’ feedback may not be clear or experienced first-hand.

We may not have felt blessed at every point of this pandemic journey, but we truly have been. God has continued to work through us and the people who have felt called to serve and help in a myriad of ways. Take care of yourself so that you can continue to lift them up to keep on building the Kingdom. What a privilege it is to be part of it and to bring others alongside us in serving Christ.