Five Keys to Recruiting Sunday School Volunteers

Written by Sondra Saunders

Several keys are extremely vital to successfully recruit volunteers for Sunday School. Begin by preparing yourself personally through Scripture reading and prayer. Many Scriptures relate to prayer, but some that are especially helpful are Matthew 9:37-38; 1 Peter 3:12; and Matthew 21:22.

Key 1: Begin With Prayer
Recruitment for any position must begin with prayer. Not only must there be consistency in prayer, you also should be specific about needs and about how others should be involved in praying with you. Lead others to be involved in the enlistment process to be in prayer as well.

Key 2: Who Should Be Involved?
Enlistment is a team effort. A number of people should be involved with you.

1. The pastor and church staff, above all others, must know your needs and concerns.
2. Provide the church prayer committee with frequent up-to-date lists of vacancies.
3. Enlist prayer warriors and urge them to pray with and for you.
4. Make adult Bible study departments aware of needs frequently so they can pray and be on the lookout for potential leaders in their midst.
5. Parents of children in Sunday School will have a vested interest in your finding quality leaders.
6. Request the deacons to pray for new leaders to emerge.
7. Men's and women's Bible study groups can be another source of prayer support.
8. Your current Sunday School leadership team should be praying.

Key 3: Multiply Your Ministry
The only way to multiply your ministry is to multiply yourself. Enlist others to assist you in this huge endeavor.

1. Begin by asking current leaders to recruit someone else. Each leader has a unique sphere of influence.
2. Let all adult Bible study departments know of your needs. Most members and leaders are amazed by the number of vacancies to be filled. Inform the appropriate staff ministers as well.
3. Inform parents of needs. Use a newsletter, or send notices home with children. Be creative with themes like "Who Will Teach the Children?", "Make a Difference in the Next Generation."
4. Meet with deacons several times a year to explain leadership needs. These men have a great deal of influence with adults you may not even know.
5. Involve any person of influence in your church in this vital endeavor.
6. Always keep your pastor and other staff members alerted to your needs through written memos, e-mails, and personal conversations. They can be great supporters and encouragers- and you definitely need them on your team!

Some leaders are afraid to ask people to serve. Overcome this fear through reading Scriptures. Two that may help are Joshua 1:1-9 and Deuteronomy 31:1-14.

Key 4: Communicate Expectations in Writing
Another key in this recruitment process is to put information down in writing. Provide written job descriptions, plus all policies and procedures, to all potential leaders. Then explain the specific expectations or policies as you present the needs you have for leaders or for a particular leadership position.

All potential leaders need to complete a worker's commitment form and also to fill out a confidential screening form. These forms are available in Ten Best Practices to Make Your Sunday School Grow.

At this interview, explain that criminal background checks are done on all leaders who serve with preschoolers and children. Keep all of the screening and commitment forms in a secured area. This information is extremely important so make certain you know where it is kept and that it is kept confidential.

Key 5: Be Positive at All Times
John Maxwell, in the book Developing the Leader Within You, says that "leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated." It is imperative to be positive at all times. People do not respond to such invitations to serve as "You're the only person I could think of" or "No one else will teach this class."

Sondra Saunders is Senior Preschool/Children's Minister at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

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