The Team You Think You Have Is No Longer the Team You Have.

Back in the fall, some of our campuses sent out surveys to volunteers, gauging their readiness to serve again. Up to 40% of team members said they’d be back when weekend services relaunched.

But once the relaunch happened, that 40% translated to about 20-30% of volunteers back in place. That’s meant greater staff support, repositioning volunteers to key areas, and cutting some ministry options we normally offer.

I’m hearing similar stories from friends all over the country. On average, their volunteer teams have dropped by as much as 75%.

And I get it: people are still not comfortable gathering in crowds. Volunteers don’t like serving while wearing masks. And for all the precautions we’ve taken, volunteering still feels like an extra thing that people don’t have to do, so many of them don’t do it.

Here’s the point: the team you think you have is no longer the team you have. Some volunteers still won’t come back for a long time. Some won’t come back, ever. Some have realized that Sundays on the couch watching a livestream is way easier than Sundays in a parking lot directing traffic.

So figure out where you are. Figure out who you have. Maybe it’s time for another survey, gauging readiness to return. Maybe it’s time to pick up the phone and have a one-on-one conversation. It’s always time to prioritize shepherding over scheduling, touch over tasks, and people over processes. Don’t get so caught up in the future of your team that you miss out on the present needs of your people.

The team you think you have is no longer the team you have. And that’s okay. God is still building his church. God hasn’t given up on you. God will be faithful to complete the work he started, even if it feels like your work is starting over.

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