Why Recruiting Volunteers Feels So Hard (And Why It’s Still Your Responsibility)
- Tony Kensinger
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever been told, “We need more volunteers,” and felt the weight settle squarely on your shoulders, you’re not alone.
That sentence has followed me to every church I’ve served. Sometimes it was spoken with urgency. Other times with resignation.
But it always carried the same implication: this is your problem to solve.
Early in my kids ministry journey, I stepped into a church with very few volunteers—and the ones who were serving were tired and close to burning out. Over time, we rebuilt the team, doubled our volunteer base, and saw new momentum take hold. It felt like we had finally turned a corner.
Then reality hit again.
While on vacation, I received a call letting me know we were adding a third service in just five weeks -and kids ministry needed to be fully staffed. After the initial panic passed, I had to make a decision: either shrink back under the pressure or step fully into my role.
I reminded myself of something that has shaped my leadership ever since:
Recruiting isn’t an interruption to kids ministry. It’s part of the calling.
When leaders avoid recruiting, it’s rarely because they don’t care. It’s usually because recruiting feels awkward, unclear, or overwhelming. So we rely on announcements, last-minute pleas, or quiet hope that someone will step forward.
But recruiting doesn’t fail because people don’t care.It fails because leaders don’t have a framework.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that most volunteers are motivated by one of three things: Process, Performance, or People.
Some love structure and systems. Others thrive on results and excellence. Many are drawn by relationships and connection. Healthy kids ministries need all three.
The problem comes when leaders recruit as if everyone is motivated the same way.
That’s why recruiting often feels exhausting. We’re working hard, but not intentionally.
Kids ministry is one of the few places in the church where nearly everyone has a place to serve regardless of personality, background, or gifting. But leaders have to help people see that. Recruiting isn’t about pressure; it’s about invitation.
More than we need people to serve, people need a place to serve.
When leaders own recruiting as a leadership responsibility—not a necessary evil—everything begins to change. Teams stabilize. Culture improves. And recruiting becomes less reactive and more relational.
If recruiting has felt heavy, it may not be because you’re doing it wrong. You may simply need a clearer pathway forward. That’s exactly why we created the Recruiting Lab, to help leaders move from survival mode to sustainable growth.
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