How to Energize Your Church Volunteer Team This Fall

Years ago, when I was serving as the connections pastor at a midsize church in Idaho, I began to notice a seasonal rhythm that shows up in churches everywhere: the fall is one of the best times to re-engage church volunteers and build momentum for ministry.

Summer has its beauty, of course. It is filled with post-service picnics, lakeside baptisms, and Vacation Bible School glitter that somehow lingers until September. But it is also the season of the dreaded “summer slump.” Church volunteer engagement drops, giving slows down, and ministries run with fewer hands on deck.

From Summer Slump to Fall Momentum

Then fall arrives, and everything shifts. College students return to their local church. Families step back into routine. And suddenly, people begin asking, “Where can I serve?” This is an incredible opportunity for churches to rebuild their volunteer teams, but it also comes with challenges.

When a church does not know how to place volunteers or provide proper training, momentum fades. If people wait too long, they lose interest. And if they are placed in the first open slot without considering their gifts, they risk burning out before the season even gets going.

So how can you re-engage church volunteers after the classic church summer slump? And how can you build a team that is energized, equipped, and ready for the fall season? These ten tips will help!

10 Tips for Re-Engaging Church Volunteers This Fall

1. Lead with Vision, Not Vacancies

People aren’t inspired by empty slots on a schedule. They want to be part of a story. 

Imagine you are prepping for Sunday and realize you are short on greeters (probably not too hard to imagine!). Instead of standing up and saying, “We need three people at the doors next week,” shift the focus:

“Every person who walks through these doors should feel like they belong here. If you love to smile and shake hands, you could be the very first picture of Jesus someone sees.”

When you cast vision for volunteering—when you explain the why—people are far more likely to give their time and talents with joy.

2. Match Volunteers with Their Gifts

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the church is like a body, with each part playing a vital role.

It can be tempting to place eager volunteers wherever there is a need. And sometimes that works – serving in a variety of places can stretch and grow people. But when someone’s natural gifts are overlooked, both the volunteer and the ministry miss out.

If your extroverted socialite ends up in the nursery instead of the lobby, chances are they will feel drained instead of energized. Meanwhile, your greeting team misses out on their God-given ability to make people feel welcome.

Serving should be life-giving, not draining. When volunteers are matched with their gifts, the whole church benefits!

3. Host a Volunteer Training Night

One of the best ways to re-engage your team after the summer slump is to gather everyone for a church volunteer training night. Keep it fun and inspiring with dinner, worship, and a mix of practical training and encouragement.

One of my favorite volunteer kick-off gatherings included giant chocolate chip cookies, a “get to know you” game that had everyone laughing together, and a powerful time of worship alongside the training. People are left not only prepared for their roles but also motivated to give their very best.

4. Create Simple On-Ramps

Serving should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Sometimes people hesitate to volunteer because it sounds like a big, long-term commitment. Make it easier for them to take that first step.

Invite someone to help at one event, shadow a leader for a Sunday, or try serving for a short six-week series. These simple “test drives” let people get a feel for ministry without the pressure of a forever commitment. Often, one small yes opens the door to a much bigger journey.

5. Make Your Volunteer Rotation Sustainable

If volunteers feel like saying yes means missing every service, burnout will not be far behind. Healthy ministry rhythms matter.

Build rotations that allow people to serve faithfully while also being filled themselves. For some teams, this might mean once a month. For others, it may mean every other week. Whatever the rhythm, make sure it gives people time to worship, rest, and build community. A sustainable schedule communicates that you care about your volunteers as people, not just numbers who fill roles.

6. Guard Against Church Volunteer Burnout

Even the most passionate volunteer can burn out if they feel unseen or overworked. That is why regular check-ins are so important. Ask your people how they are really doing, not just how their ministry role is going.

Here are a few simple ways to help guard against burnout:

• Rotate roles when someone feels stuck.
• Offer breaks during busy seasons.
• Encourage sabbaticals for long-time leaders.

I once had a volunteer who had led faithfully in the same ministry role for five years. She was amazing, but she was also tired. We invited her to take a season off, and when she came back, she was stronger and more passionate than ever. Sometimes, the most spiritual gift you can give a volunteer is permission to rest.

Looking for more ways to guard against burnout? Here’s how to (really) avoid burnout as a modern church leader.

7. Equip and Encourage Your Volunteers

Training is not a one-and-done event. People need regular encouragement and reminders that what they do matters.

Keep it simple. Huddle your team together for five minutes before service to share practical tips and encouragement. Send a monthly email with highlights and resources. Even better, implement a tiered training system so new volunteers start with the basics and seasoned leaders receive deeper development.

Celebrate impact as you go. Share short testimonies of lives changed, quick shout-outs from ministry leads, and specific stories of how a volunteer made a difference. These moments help people see the fruit of their service.

Training equips the hands. Encouragement fuels the heart. Together, they keep volunteers ready and motivated to serve with joy.

8. Communicate Clearly and Consistently

Nothing frustrates volunteers more than being left in the dark. If people are unsure about where to show up, what time to arrive, or what is expected of them, even the most enthusiastic team members will lose steam quickly.

Set up simple systems for communication. Use a church management system, implement a shared calendar, send reminder texts, or keep a volunteer group chat. Post schedules well in advance so people can plan around them. A quick midweek check-in can make all the difference in helping your team feel prepared and valued.

Clear communication removes stress, builds trust, and makes serving feel smooth instead of chaotic. The more confident your volunteers feel, the more freely they can focus on ministry.

9. Remember: Serving Is Discipleship

Volunteer engagement is not just about filling spots on a schedule. It is about discipleship. When someone serves, they are learning to use their gifts for the Kingdom, building community, and growing in faith.

Every time you invite someone to step into service, you are encouraging them to take a step closer to Jesus. Serving is where spiritual formation often happens most deeply, because people discover that God can use their hands, voices, and hearts to make a real difference.

10. Set a Tone of Joy

Service should be marked by joy, not obligation. When volunteers laugh together, share meals, and build friendships, ministry feels less like a duty and more like a privilege.

As leaders, we can set the tone. Bring joy into your team culture by celebrating small wins, sharing stories of impact, and creating space for genuine relationships to form. Remind your volunteers that their work is not just helpful – it is holy!

A joyful team will not only stay engaged longer but will also reflect the heart of Christ to everyone they serve.

Get Organized with Tithely’s Volunteer Scheduling

The summer slump does not have to define your fall. By casting vision, matching people with their gifts, guarding against burnout, and celebrating faithfully, you can build a volunteer team that is strong, energized, and ready to serve.

And if you need support getting organized so your volunteer systems run smoothly, Tithely is here to help. From scheduling and communication to giving and group management, we provide tools that help you focus on people, not paperwork. Learn more today.