Most churchgoers are simply content to do their time in the pew, toss a few coins in the plate, and drive home, content until next week.
If you're reading this, I bet you're one whom has thrown themselves into fray, seeking the arms of the Father, aware you're a prodigal, yet assured you're a beloved child.
You're serving, living a life of worship, aware that everything you do is for God's glory. But in the back of your mind you wonder: am I properly equipped to do what I need to do? What's expected of me? Where are the boundaries in my service?
Which is why the church (and those who are are the gifts Christ gave to it) need to focus on equipping God's people – especially those volunteers who are equipping others. The equipping may not be what the church leadership thinks it should be. If you're a pastor or a ministry director, have you considered asking your volunteers what they need to be properly equipped (and how they are motivated)?
After all, the role of good communications is to understand what your audience is listening for, not what you think they need to hear.
A bit of behavioral psychology and profiling may be in order, to understand what motivates (and demotivates key volunteer leaders. Short of that, making expectations clear for what their roles are, and then equipping and empowering individuals to serve, can make up for the behavior analysis.
In practice: If you want to serve, make the way ready. It may be another volunteer's role to prepare the way, in order for you to step in and serve. It may be your role to prepare the way for another. Are both of you prepared?
