A few years ago, as I looked over my volunteer roster while planning for the week ahead, the Holy Spirit stopped me and asked me to look closer.

I sensed Him saying, “Remember the volunteers who invested in you as a child — the spiritual family of young and old, the ones whose names you remember to this day? Does your volunteer team have all ages serving the next generation?”

I needed to do a better job of recruiting a multigenerational team. I want children to have a church family that includes spiritual grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. No matter what their home life looks like, kids can experience God’s family by interacting with volunteers from all generations.

The challenge is bringing together such a team. It requires intentionality and time, but it is well worth the effort. I started with what I call the five R’s of generational onboarding:

1. Recognition

The first step is awakening to the benefits of a multigenerational team. Kids’ pastors already have a heart for children. However, equipping teenagers and adults for the work of ministry is also part of the job description.

Children’s ministry is the perfect place for all generations to serve. And kids can benefit from the diverse gifts of young and old alike.

A 70-year-old member of our congregation once told me he wanted to serve in our ministry but thought there would not be a place for him because he was uncomfortable with technology. I assured him that was not a barrier to serving. I knew he would make a wonderful grandfather figure for our kids.

From teenagers who help with puppets and games to grandmas who pray over children, volunteers of all ages bring a beautiful balance to kids’ ministry. Ask God to give you eyes to recognize the potential in each generation, and in each person who will serve on your team.

2. Reconnaissance

Get out of the kids’ ministry space when possible and look around. Walk slowly through the lobby on a Sunday morning and pray. One of my children’s pastor friends regularly asks God to speak to hearts about serving kids. She also prays that He will help her connect with those He is calling to kids’ ministry. She says God never fails to answer those prayers.

Always be on the lookout for volunteers, inside and outside of service times. I have recruited amazing workers in a variety of ways, from online discussions to lunch meetings with friends.

I want children to have a church family that includes spiritual grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters.

One woman reached out on the church Facebook page to say she wanted to serve Jesus with her whole heart. Her discipleship journey led to her eventually becoming plugged in as a children’s volunteer, and she has been a blessing to our team.

Make yourself visible, and never stop looking for potential talent around the church. When you are always seeking, you will find those hidden treasures.

3. Relationship

The most important part of the generational recruitment process is developing relationships. Unless the Holy Spirit impresses me to do so, I will not ask about someone’s interest in serving until we have had at least 10 relational exchanges (e.g., texts, coffee meetings, phone calls, church lobby conversations, etc.).

Although this might seem to slow down the process on the front end, the benefit of increased longevity of volunteers who feel valued and connected more than makes up for it.

When there is a relationship, it is easier to help someone see kids’ ministry as a place to hone his or her God-given abilities.

It took a year to recruit one of my key volunteers. I first took the time to get to know him and his wife. When they saw that I cared for them personally, they were more open to what I had to say about serving in the church. Always remember that serving develops relationships and runs on relationships.

When it comes to recruiting those on the other side of a generational gap, developing relationships can be challenging. Take that vulnerable first step and get to know people of all ages in your church. You will find that it is as much of a benefit for you as it is for them. Build the relationship first, and the rest becomes much easier. And you will gain new friends in the process.

4. Reality

When you get around to making the pitch, be upfront about the realities of kids’ ministry. Inform your volunteers about background checks and their purpose. Let potential volunteers know what kind of commitment this will entail.

Many people worry that serving in kids’ ministry means they will feel obligated to stay indefinitely. I was recently talking with a woman whose kids had graduated from children’s ministry a decade ago. She told me, “I’d love to serve with you, but I know how it is. I’ll never get to leave!”

She was relieved to hear that is not the case in our ministry. We ask for a specific commitment, such as serving one or two Sundays a month for one year. At the end of that period, volunteers are welcome to step away or commit to another year. There is no pressure, only gratitude for their service — however long or short.

We also provide a clear list of responsibilities and offer an obligation-free opportunity to experience kids’ ministry by shadowing another volunteer. This gives volunteers a clear picture of the realities and expectations and lets them know their time, spiritual health, and growth are important to us.

5. Reciprocation

The benefits of volunteering go beyond the church’s children’s ministry. It is a reciprocal relationship that also blesses those who serve. Don’t underestimate the importance of investing in volunteers of all ages and stages of discipleship as they invest in children.

Serving is a vital part of spiritual formation at any age. Remember the teenagers who graduated out of your ministry? Invite them back to serve in a place that is comfortable and accessible. Pray that serving will help them recognize their gifts and the next steps to which God is calling them.

Reach out to senior members of the congregation as well. Serving can give them a place of connection and a sense of continued Kingdom purpose. Inclusion and encouragement can go a long way toward helping them feel loved and valued.

 In addition, come alongside those who are newer to faith. Kids’ services and classrooms are ideal places to begin serving. Working with kids is less intimidating than leading adults. And the simple lessons often give recent converts a hunger to learn more outside of the ministry time. One such team member waits for me after each service so I can explain more about what we studied in the lesson and how she can go deeper in the Bible text. That’s huge!

Giving members of all generations the opportunity not only to serve but also to invest in the next generation and grow spiritually is a win-win for the entire church!

Psalm 145:4–6 says this:

One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty —
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works —
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

These verses demonstrate an if/then relationship. For the younger generation to declare the greatness of God, we need the generations who have come before to speak of God’s awesome deeds.