8 Ways to Build Empowered Teams
A thriving ministry team has room for progression, space for independence, and the support required for growth. Empower leaders to harness their potential in your church by taking their skills to the next level, and help new volunteers fine-tune their skills and become dedicated members of their ministry. But how do you empower team members? By following these eight tips.
1. Don’t Over-Focus on Some
You may find it easier to connect with the members of your church who show up consistently and commit to your ministry. Understandably, you may want to give more to the people who give their all to you, but don’t take this too far and show visible favoritism in your church.
Instead, place a supportive emphasis on fringe members to keep them included and inspired, and you may find you have a whole team of leaders just waiting to be discovered. Showing new members how much you need them could be the push they need to take their faith to the next level.
2. Directly Offer People Chances
When it comes to keeping people involved, don’t just rely on sign-ups alone. You can share an event as far and wide as you want, but if congregants don’t feel like it applies to them, they will probably not show up. By inviting people directly, you show them that you want their presence in particular.
The same goes for your volunteer projects and church worker roles. Asking a congregant for help shows them that you value their skills and think they have what it takes. Asking your congregants to participate directly will empower them to take their faith to the next level.
3. Share Your Vision Clearly
Remember that you are part of a team that is made up of leaders, workers, volunteers, and attendees. Keeping your vision consistent will help your church workers to act and think as one, making a greater impact on the world through working together.
There is no need to spend an hour talking through your vision, as it should be so obvious that it is like second nature to your people. Live and breathe your vision in all your projects and endeavors so your church workers know exactly what is needed of them. Learn more about the importance of a collective vision here.
4. Set Expectations for Volunteers
Clear expectations are one of the most central elements of job satisfaction rates – the same goes for your church volunteers. If they are confused and lost on day one, they won’t feel empowered to use their initiative and make a difference. Instead, they will waste all their energy running around like a headless chicken.
Communicating expectations clearly and effectively means that your workers will feel appreciated and accomplished in their roles. Help your people to see how their input actively impacts the world around them through clear job assignments and role responsibilities. Check out this blog for more ways to lay down expectations effectively.
5. Offer Training Opportunities
Progression offers us motivation to keep going. If we always stay in the same spot, doing the same thing, we start to wonder why we bother at all. Providing church volunteer training opportunities will help your church workers become the best versions of themselves. In turn, they will give more to your ministry.
There are countless skills needed in the church, so find a way to blend them into your volunteer training schedule. Create courses that excite your workers, from an essential first aid training program to a workshop that teaches event planning skills.
6. Open Your Communication Channels
It is no secret that people feel valued when their leaders celebrate their successes and welcome their feedback. A sign of good leadership is someone who makes time for all of their workers, offers advice on their journey, and encourages any thoughts or constructive criticism.
Empower your team to be the best they can be with regular one-on-one sessions and open communication. If your church is big and you don’t have time to meet with each volunteer individually, assign sub-leaders to take some of the pressure off and provide the close contact needed to support your team.
7. Invest in Useful Technology
When you have up-to-date technology behind you, everything feels easier. Let your volunteers and employees enjoy the benefits of top-of-the-range church software, and they will feel inspired to invest more time into their essential role within your ministry.
Church presentation software like Playlister makes running a kids’ ministry classroom a breeze, giving them more freedom to get creative with the process. Empower your team to teach with fluidity and confidence with the right software and tools at their fingertips.
8. Be Grateful and Share Thanks
Never underestimate the power of those two simple words: “thank you.” If you feel like your workplace or church only brings you negativity and pushback, you won’t feel a desire to show up with enthusiasm and strength. It makes serving feel like a chore.
On the other hand, when your leaders teach you how to feel empowered through gratitude, praise, and support, your journey as a volunteer or worker will be a pleasure. Show gratitude daily and thank your team for their consistent hard work and dedication.
Conclusion
How to be an empowering leader? By empowering your volunteers to become leaders themselves. Make your church a safe space that is filled with open communication and training opportunities so your valued church workers can progress.