Lead Volunteers Lab: Build a Volunteer Team That Thrives

Great children's ministry doesn't happen by accident—it happens through healthy, engaged volunteers.

Lead Volunteers Lab is an interactive Pre-Conference experience designed to help ministry leaders strengthen one of their greatest ministry assets: their volunteer team in partnership with Josh Denhart of Lead Ministry. 

Centered around the three essential pillars of volunteer leadership—Recruit, Train, and Retain—this hands-on workshop combines short teaching sessions with guided exercises, peer collaboration, and personal planning. Every concept is followed by immediate application, ensuring you leave with more than inspiration—you'll leave with a plan.

Whether you're building a volunteer team from the ground up or strengthening an existing ministry, this lab provides practical frameworks that can be adapted to churches of every size.

You'll leave with:

• Recruit: Create your own "Top 10" volunteer prospect list and develop a strategy for intentionally connecting with potential leaders.
• Train: Build a leadership development plan that equips volunteers at every stage of involvement—from emerging leaders to your core leadership team.
• Retain: Develop a practical care strategy with weekly and monthly rhythms that help volunteers feel known, appreciated, and committed for the long haul.
• A personalized volunteer leadership action plan ready to implement when you return to your church.
• Practical tools, templates, and proven systems that simplify volunteer leadership and strengthen your ministry.

This isn't another session filled with ideas you'll forget before you get home. It's a guided workshop where you'll create the systems, conversations, and next steps your ministry needs—alongside other leaders who understand the same challenges you face.

If you're ready to recruit with purpose, train with intention, and retain volunteers who are equipped to serve for years to come, Lead Volunteers Lab will give you the tools and confidence to lead them well.