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Your Turn Discussion

How do you "fire" a volunteer who isn't working out?
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Total Responses: 6Add your own comment

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Tim   (Guest) Posted: November 13, 2009
I like everything that's already been said here. Everyone needs to be involved in the church somewhere. So if it's not working out for a volunteer in one place, we redirect them. Perhaps a couple of things to strive for in these cases: a) try to help the volunteers discover for themselves where the problem lies; b) listen to their evaluation of the situation before making any decisions.


Marilyn   (Guest) Posted: June 19, 2008
Part of all the responses I see fit. Balancing the needs of the person, you have to maintain a relationship to be aware of what is really happening that has taken their focus off their part in the ministry. Many time people are carried away by the need but not gifted in the area they try on. For this reason we "suggest" workers visit the area of service, work alongside those already truly involved for at least a 2 week period. Changes ( illness, financial, family,etc) in the personal lives of those serving also can change and I encourage those under stress to take a leave which give them freedom from stress and time to evaluate next step.


Derrick   (Guest) Posted: January 21, 2008
Some good comments already: Don't dismiss harshly, encourage them, redirect them, communication being the key, get to know them; find out if they're having problems elsewhere. Adding to these, try to get them to see that this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes realizing God's will and how He's gifted you takes trial and error. Also, convince them they're not failures. You're not a failure if you don't do well in what you weren't meant to do in the first place. And it's good to start out with what they were doing well or at least point out positive traits about them personally before you drop the bomb. And remember, we assure them that there are no insignificant jobs in the Kingdom.


AP   (Guest) Posted: January 20, 2008
I was fired as a volunteer and believe me it is the most devastating thing to do to any church volunteer. I was passionate about ministry and had given up paid employment to volunteer full time at a church I know I was called to. With the change of Pastor the "wheels" fell off and I was told I was no longer needed and no follow up ever took place until almost three years later. I plead with any pastor or leader, never dismiss anyone suddenly or harshly. Shepherd them lovingly and guide them gently with heaps of encouragement. For me the pain still remains and it can be life destroying. So please never "fire" a volunteer they should be the most important members of your team, make them feel as if they are.


John Lankin   (Registered User)Posted: January 19, 2008
You don't fire volunteers, you redirect them to ministries where their gifts are effective. WHat message do we send when we say to the church, "your gift doesn't fit here, get out". then we cry about not having enough people willing to volunteer. We minister to people by helping them become effective in using their gifts, even when they are doing ministry that doesn't fit them or their giftings. Love the people, see their desire to serve, and help them find the right fit.

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