- For
- Volunteers + potential volunteers
- Goal
- Get people serving
- Timeframe
- 4 weeks
- Season
- Late summer
- Prep time
- 4 hours
- Cost
- $
The ministry challenge
The same 20% of people carry most of the serving load.
The idea
Give every team leader invitation cards and host a 'try a team' Sunday.
Why it creates connection: Every current volunteer personally invites one person to serve alongside them.
Who it's for
Volunteers + potential volunteers — a good fit for serving and church-wide ministry teams who want to get people serving, develop leaders, welcome new people.
How it works
- 01
Week 1: share volunteer stories from the stage.
- 02
Week 2: team leaders hand out five invitation cards each.
- 03
Week 3: 'Try a Team' Sunday — shadow a volunteer.
- 04
Week 4: a thank-you dinner for new and current volunteers.
What materials are needed
This idea uses print, in-person, digital pieces in these formats: Volunteer resource, Print, Signage, Email. Prep takes about 4 hours; cost is $.
Communication plan and suggested timeline
A simple rhythm for promoting it well. Put the dates on your church communications calendar so nothing becomes urgent.
4–6 weeks before
Brief your team and ministry leaders on Serve Together. Lock the dates, the one-sentence invitation, and who owns each piece.
3 weeks before
Announce it from the stage and in your email. Start social posts and a website feature.
2 weeks before
Put printed pieces in people's hands — bulletin insert, cards, or posters. Share the sign-up or next step clearly.
Week of
Final reminder across slides, email, and social. Personally invite people who are on the edge.
During (4 weeks)
Keep in-person touchpoints warm — greeters, tables, and leaders who know the plan.
After
Say thank you, share one story of what happened, and point people to the next step.
Related creative assets
Remove anything you don't need before adding it to your workspace.
Print
Personal invitation cards
Five per team leader
Print
Team descriptions booklet
Every team at a glance
In-person
Try-a-Team signage
Lobby team tables
Print
Volunteer onboarding guide
First Sunday checklist
Digital
Volunteer story videos
Three short stories
Digital
Follow-up emails
For new volunteers
Make it with your church's brand
Set up your church brand kit in the Studio once, and every piece of Serve Together comes out in your logo, colors, and fonts. You change the words and dates — ChurchMade keeps the design consistent.
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