Volunteering at a church can be something that helps a Christian find a deeper purpose in serving others. It allows someone to use their spiritual gifts as well as connect with others in that local church. When someone steps in to volunteer it also helps the church with needed functions so it can serve the congregation.
There are a lot of upsides to someone serving in church. However, there is also a dark side to serving in a local church. With all the upsides there are downsides. It usually requires extra hours outside of church to prepare and it takes the person away from sometimes getting to be a part of the worship experience. Even if their role is in the sanctuary, such as an usher or production team, they are still focused on a job. This makes it hard for them to receive what is happening from the stage or have meaningful interactions with those around them. So, volunteering can have a downside.
And one of the toughest situations is to have to resign from a volunteer position. This is extremely difficult for the volunteer and the church. Because the church is probably running low on volunteers this makes it even tougher for both parties. But the time will come for every volunteer to exit. There are seasons and sadly, the season of serving will come to an end at some point for every volunteer.
Here are 8 ways to resign from a church volunteer position gracefully:
1. Give Them Ample Time for a Replacement
The volunteer role will need to be filled. The volunteer should give ample time for the church to find a replacement. This does not mean that the volunteer stays indefinitely. Some churches may promise to have a replacement and that time never comes. The staff person in charge and the volunteer should agree on a timeline to help the volunteer exit gracefully while hopefully training a replacement.
2. Tell the Staff/Pastors the Truth
The truth can hurt. But the truth can also heal. Volunteers sometimes get offended or are treated poorly and that fuels the reason for their departure. The volunteer needs to be honest with their direct report about what happened and how they are feeling. There may be a huge gap that needs to be fixed and if they do not know about it then they will not be able to fix the problem. This will be tough on the volunteers because they may feel that they are going to hurt a leader’s feelings, but they have to understand that the bigger issue at stake is countless other volunteers going through the same hurt.
3. Talk in Person Instead of Texts/Emails Only
The worst way to communicate anything important is through a text or email. And never quit anything through a text or email. This should be done only in a face-to-face setting. Texting and emailing are the easier way out, but talking face-to-face is the most honorable way to leave any position. This will allow for honest dialogue and to resolve any conflict. Talking with a leader also gives them the confidence that they can trust the volunteer in the future with other ministry opportunities.
4. Do Not Burn the Fields When Leaving
The volunteer may be treated wrong or undervalued. There may be a huge conflict that surrounds the departure. However, they should never burn the fields when leaving. This phrase refers to someone who will stir as much trouble up as they can to hurt the church when they are exiting. This is not beneficial for anyone involved. Burning the fields hurts the Kingdom and all those involved. Ultimately it also shows the immaturity of the one causing the trouble more than anything else. A volunteer should strive to be honorable and to do what is right no matter how they feel they were treated. Hurting a local church will hurt the Kingdom of God and it hurts God’s heart. The other issue is that the way a person resigns from a volunteer role will be how they enter their next role.
5. Seek to Find a Transition within the Church to Another Role
Sometimes the volunteer just is not a good match for that ministry role or is incompatible with the one who they directly report to for that specific role. Sometimes the volunteer just needs a different opportunity that will fit them better. The volunteer may flourish in a different role.
6. Write a Thank You Card to the Staff Member
That Is the Direct Report for That Role. Nothing is classier than a handwritten note to thank someone. This is especially true when someone is exiting a job or a volunteer role in a church. It often says more about a person on how they resign from a church volunteer position than how they enter it. A handwritten thank you note expresses gratitude and honor to the staff person or direct report that the volunteer served under.
7. Offer to Help Train Someone Else for That Role
Many times, in churches there are only a few people who know how to do a few, very important tasks. When a volunteer exits a position that is very important and specific to certain skill sets then it puts a huge strain on the church. A volunteer should offer to help train a person or a group of people to do their job. This again is an honorable way to exit a position and to bless the church as well. Training someone else is a way the volunteer can engage in the disciple-making process as well.
8. Do a Personal Heart Check Inventory
A person can resign from a church volunteer position or any relationship for seemingly justifiable reasons. However, those reasons may be a smokescreen for a heart issue such as offense, anger, or jealousy. Before a volunteer leaves a role, they should check their heart to see if any other issues are contributing to the exit. If anger, offense, or even jealousy are the real reasons for leaving a volunteer role then the issue of the heart will never be fixed. They will merely carry those issues to the next church or even the relationship they encounter. It is key that they figure out the real reason they are exiting. Instead of exiting honorably, the volunteer may be running away from issues they need to deal with in their own heart.
When you resign from a volunteer position at a church, it can be difficult for both you and the church. There may be underlying feelings of guilt for leaving on the side of the volunteer and the church may feel hopeless by losing a volunteer when most churches are in desperate need of help. The volunteer and the church must work together on the exit. Both parties need to keep the Kingdom of God in mind. This is not about feelings, ego, or image. This is about the Kingdom of God advancing and the Gospel being spread. So, a volunteer needs to resign gracefully and as honorably as possible since this is work for the Lord, not for man.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions Christian volunteers and job seekers might ask:
1. What is the best way to communicate my resignation?
Always have an in-person conversation with the church leader rather than resigning via email or text.
2. How much notice should I give when resigning from a church volunteer role?
Provide ample time for the church to find a replacement and offer help with the transition if possible.
3. How can I maintain good relationships after resigning?
Express gratitude and avoid creating conflict during your exit.
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