This episode features an interview with Heidi Hensley focused on the topics of volunteer appreciation and new beginnings. Heidi and I chatted pre-pandemic but many of these principles and practices are still valuable and extremely applicable in the church today.
Heidi Hensley
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Clearstream
Clearstream works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. Find out more at Clearstream.io.
Episode Notes
What things did you learn coming into a new church/role?
- No matter how healthy the church/ministry is, transition and change is difficult
- Invited leaders to a round table (“ask me anything” style)
- Find common ground and give teams a voice
- Only changes in the first year were things that could compromise the safety or the message
- Learn the culture first
- Book: The First 90 Days
Talk about Volunteer Appreciation Events:
- Once a year celebration that includes every aspect of children's ministry
- Decided to keep this separate from any type of training
- Created awards for volunteers
- Celebrated why volunteers are needed and why what they do matters
- Three scheduled trainings (required to attend at least one)
- Volunteer trainings are mandatory
- Training events are prompt and don't waste time (this produces retention)
- Casting vision for the ministry
- **Reveal new color of volunteer shirt at the Fall training
Keys to great volunteer appreciation:
- Make sure they KNOW it's about them – don't mix training with appreciation
- Make sure it accommodates their family (family BBQ type of event, or childcare available)
- Make sure it can be replicated
- Make sure they see where they have come from… celebrate the growth… celebrate the empowerment
- Sing Happy Birthday – give cupcakes
- Write 5 random “Thank You” notes
- Equip volunteers well
- Never underestimate the value of kind words
Why Volunteer Appreciation Is a Retention Strategy
Volunteer appreciation is not just about saying thank you — it is one of the most effective retention strategies available to ministry leaders. When volunteers feel seen and valued, they stay longer, serve with more energy, and become your best recruiters. Heidi Hensley brings practical wisdom from her years in family ministry on how to build appreciation into the rhythm of your team, not just as an annual event.
Nick covers this principle extensively in The Volunteer Playbook, and if you are looking for specific ideas, check out 100 volunteer appreciation ideas you can start using this week.
Key Strategies for Appreciating Volunteers Well
- Make it personal. Generic thank-you emails do not move the needle. Learn what each volunteer values — some want public recognition, others prefer a quiet note or a coffee.
- Build it into your calendar. Appreciation should not be reactive. Schedule monthly touchpoints, quarterly celebrations, and annual recognition into your ministry calendar.
- Connect appreciation to culture. When appreciation is part of your volunteer culture, it stops being a task and becomes the way your team operates.
- Equip your team leads. If you have layered leadership, train your team leads to appreciate their volunteers directly. Give them tools and clear role expectations so they know who to thank and for what.
Related Resources
- 100 Volunteer Appreciation Ideas
- The Volunteer Playbook
- Building a Volunteer Culture at Your Church
- Volunteer Onboarding for Churches
- How to Recruit Volunteers
Action Items
- Write 5 notes
- Hold an event (maybe)
- Check out The First 90 Days book
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Special Sponsor: Clearstream
This episode is sponsored by Clearstream. Clearstream.io works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. You can get started on a free-trial, and if you're with a new church plant under 1 year old can use Clearstream free for 12 months.
