3 Volunteer Positions You Probably Don't Have (But Should)

God has uniquely equipped every person in the Church with specific skills and gifts. As Christians, we are tasked with utilizing these in our community and within our local church body. Using our God-given skills as a volunteer is a fantastic way to serve the church while simultaneously lightening the load of a church’s staff.

Some of the most common volunteer teams in churches are greeting, worship, parking, and children’s ministry. However, there is tremendous value in creating volunteer positions for a more specialized skill set. You could have many dedicated members of the church who are just waiting for the opportunity to serve in a unique way.

Below are a 3 volunteer positions churches should consider having.

1. Disaster Response Coordinator

Lord willing, this person wouldn’t need to step up often. However, if a tragedy strikes your community, the Body of Christ should be on the front lines of offering hope and healing to those impacted.

In a time of crisis, the church needs to be proactive, not reactive.

A Disaster Response Coordinator would oversee all volunteer efforts that pertain to the crisis, like home repairs and temporary shelters. Another big part of this role would be supply and donation coordination. When crisis strikes, it's key to have an organized, central area for donations so that they can be distributed to those in need.

Who would be a good fit? Former or current first responders, military professionals, event planners, or public safety officials.

2. Stewardship Director

Stewardship of your church’s resources is vital, and so is the stewardship of its personal finances. The Stewardship Director would be a trusted advisor to the church and the congregants.

Many lead pastors haven’t been equipped to head up the “business side” of leading a church, so having someone in the congregation to lean on and help make major financial decisions is imperative. For families and individuals, this person can be a trusted advisor for financial planning and debt management. Depending on your church’s capacity, this role could eventually mold into a full-time role on staff.

Who would be a good fit? Financial planners, investment professionals, banking executives, and retirement planning experts.  

3. Community Liaison

We often hear stories of churches that are full of people ready and willing to serve their community, but simply lack the knowledge of where to start. The Community Liaison would be the eyes and ears of the church in the community. This person would network with public officials to stay in touch with current needs in the community, or connect with local clubs, scouting organizations, and nonprofits to create partnerships in supporting the community.  

[Free template: community needs assessment for churches] 

When a need arises, this person should coordinate and provide the volunteers with opportunities to serve the community. He/she should also find and organize resources that are needed within the community. 

Who would be a good fit? Retirees, local entrepreneurs, retired city officials, and community organizers.

What are some other unique volunteer positions that your church has adopted?