As a leader of volunteers, you probably hear your fair share of complaints. There are the emails about how this volunteer doesn’t like the selection of pastries in the break room. Or a phone call from that volunteer about the color of paper at the sign-in desk. You may get by with ignoring many of these trivial grievances.

However, there are some complaints you shouldn’t brush off. Your volunteers are on the ground doing the work of ministry in your church. They have a front-row seat to what’s working and what isn’t. And they can be a barometer for how you are performing as a leader.

Here are four criticisms from your volunteers you shouldn’t ignore. Giving these concerns your full attention can help you and your ministry grow.

1. There’s No Communication.

Your volunteers may say something like, “You’re just not listening to us,” or, “We never hear from you.”

If you don’t communicate well with your team, you can’t expect them to perform well. Make every effort to maintain open lines of communication. Each volunteer should know whom they report to and how to reach that person. Problems, concerns and even critiques should go up the chain of command.

Be sure you regularly connect with your volunteers through email, text message, in person or all three. Check those lines often to make sure communication is running freely.

Everyone has a role to play to fulfill the mission God has for the church.

2. I Don’t Know What’s Expected of Me.

How well are you preparing your team? How often do you provide volunteer training? How do you communicate job responsibilities to the team?

Untrained volunteers will feel frustrated. They know they have a job to do, but if they don’t feel ready to complete it, they feel like they’ve failed. But the failure is on you as a leader. Make sure everyone knows their job roles and has everything they need to complete them.

3. You Never Say ‘Thank You.’

This is a big one. Volunteers who don’t feel appreciated won’t be around much longer. If you find yourself always backfilling for volunteers who have left, it may be because you’re not showing enough appreciation.

Be intentional about showing gratitude to your team. It can be in big ways, like appreciation dinners, or in small ways, with a smile and pat on the back. However you show appreciation, do it often.

4. This Is a Waste of My Time.

When volunteers feel like what they’re doing is not valuable, they will begin to check out. When they give an hour or more twice a month or once a week, they expect something in return. However, it’s usually not pay or recognition they want. It’s simply knowing what they do matters.

Make sure everyone on your team knows how their position relates to the overall vision of the church. From door greeters to nursery workers to musicians, everyone has a role to play to fulfill the mission God has for the church. When your volunteers know how they’re fulfilling that role, they’re more likely to stay engaged and even increase their serving.

It takes careful listening to decide which criticisms to take to heart and which to ignore. Some complaints are unfounded, but when you encounter a serious concern, address it as quickly as possible.