As pastors, we’re always on the hunt for new volunteers. There are always spaces to fill and needs to meet. And there is one indicator that can help you turn casual volunteers into consistent ones.

Volunteering at your church is like a ladder. Each member chooses a level of commitment and usually stays there. But when we can identify where they are on the ladder, we can intentionally help move people up.

Here are four levels of volunteering at your church. Think of ways you can identify where each member of your volunteer team is currently serving.

1. Random Volunteers

These are people who are willing to help out, but not on a consistent basis. They may have signed up for a special outreach or volunteered on a high-volume day, like Easter. They may even have told a staff member, “Call me if you ever need help.” However, there is a lack of commitment to consistently serve.

When we identify where they are on the ladder, we can intentionally help move people up.

2. Repeat Volunteers

These volunteers are consistent, but on their own schedule. They may volunteer once or twice a month, but they’re hesitant to commit to more than that. They may be helpful when they serve, but they are less dependable. And they often serve in an area outside of their natural gifting.

3. Regular Volunteers

These are your most consistent and trusted volunteers. They have committed to serve every week, and some have more than one area of service in the church. During large-scale outreach events, they are the first to sign up. They have found a place of service in your church that fits their gifting, and they call it their own. The one word to describe them is “dependable.”

4. Responsible Volunteers

This is the highest level of volunteering. These volunteers are the most reliable team members you’ll have. You never worry about when or if they will show up. They usually occupy positions of leadership on the team or help coordinate throughout the week. Sometimes you find them working as much as a part-time employee, but they do so without pay.

The goal is not to fill every spot on your volunteer roster, but to engage every member in a place of service as an act of discipleship. To do that, help them move up the volunteer ladder. As their commitment increases, so should their level of service.

Contact your random volunteers through email or phone calls to encourage them to find a place of service on Sundays. Host volunteer fairs, and send out special invitations. Put regular volunteers front and center, giving testimonies of what serving means to them. Showcase the spiritual benefits of committed service to the church.

One more step you need to take is unclogging the leadership pipeline. Always look to promote from within service areas. Ask your volunteer leaders to scout each team for potential leaders, not only those with more skills but also those who display the most commitment.

And regularly recognize and reward your most committed volunteers to incentivize service in your church.