Josh was one of the most zealous workers we'd seen at church, but I realized he was three steps beyond "weary in well doing" when I read his letter: "My walk with the Lord is nonexistent. I've allowed the pressure of church work to crowd out time with God. Now it seems impossible to get back in touch with him. We've also gotten seriously into debt, and I've been trying to do "ministry" while working ...
It's tough to recruit good volunteers, but tougher to keep them. Here are some ways to keep them playing on your team for many seasons:
Make sure everyone gets "paid." There will never be enough money to reimburse volunteers for their service, but each person who donates time or energy deserves to be "paid."
For some, the only "salary" they need is the inner satisfaction of a job well done. The supportive leader will be careful to get out of their way and remove potential obstacles to the successful completion of tasks.
Most people feel rewarded by public or private affirmation from leaders they respect. Handwritten notes of appreciation, personal compliments that identify specific actions, pictures of volunteers in action posted in a prominent place, gifts of gratitude-all serve as means of "paying" volunteers.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful ...
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