Volunteers serve in a variety of functions to make weekly services a success. As you look to add new volunteers to the team and increase the leadership capacity of current volunteers, it’s wise to consider how you train them. Between COVID restrictions and busy schedules, it’s challenging to get people into a training session in person. However, there are several online volunteer training resources available to make equipping volunteers easier and more effective.
Equip your volunteers with solid training when you utilize one of these 7 online training resources:
Resource #1 – ServeHQ
ServeHQ offers a toolset to train volunteers with on-demand videos. Churches can use videos provided by ServeHQ or they can use their own. Their system also includes HuddleUp – an email and SMS text messaging tool plus FollowUp – an automated follow-up workflow system.
Pricing: The Starter plan includes access for 50 people at $41 per month. The Standard plan includes unlimited for TrainedUp and 200 people for HuddleUp at $126 per month. Unlimited everything is $247 per month.
Resource #2 – MinistryGrid
Use MinistryGrid’s training and discipleship videos or create and upload your own. You can create roles based on the type of training each individual must complete. For example, create a Kids Ministry Volunteer role and assign all processes (application, background check, etc.) and training videos an individual needs to finish before being approved to serve in Kids Ministry. Admins can view reports or dashboards to see each person’s training progress.
Pricing: $597 when paid annually; $97 per month when paid monthly. Both options include unlimited users, admins, roles, and groups.
Resource #3 – Good to Go
This online training platform by Group includes videos for a variety of volunteer roles. With Good to Go, churches can create playlists and add their own training materials (with the Plus plan only). You can assign training to volunteers and monitor progress from within the platform.
Pricing: Basic plan is $21.99 per month. The Plus plan is $24.99 per month and includes the ability to upload your own training videos and documents (along with 2GB extra storage).
Volunteer trainings give leaders a chance to communicate policies as well as passion. Don’t miss your chance. We’ve rounded up 7 online resources you can use. Check it out on the Church Technology Today blog. Click To Tweet
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Resource #4 – Joni & Friends
Joni Eareckson Tada’s diving accident in 1967 left her a quadriplegic. Today, her ministry, Joni & Friends encompasses several aspects including providing training to churches on how to welcome people with disabilities. They offer training videos along with the opportunity to connect with a mentor. One of the online courses available is a series called, “A Guide to Welcoming and Embracing People with Special Needs.” They also have videos on “Autism and the Church” and “A Practical Guide to Special Needs Children’s Ministry.”
Pricing: Online courses range from $50 to $200
Resource #5 – Building Church Leaders by Christianity Today
This training tool is geared towards training church staff or leaders – not the volunteers. It includes over 500 training tools (videos, articles, and other downloadable resources). This website for this tool, Building Church Leaders by Christianity Today, includes training on how to recruit and keep volunteers, developing volunteers, among other topics. There are several orientation guides for various volunteer roles as well.
Pricing: $149.95 billed annually (includes a 14-day free trial)
Resource #6 – Gateway Resource Library
The website of Gateway Resource Library includes over 1,600 resources, including videos and documentation, that church leaders can use at no charge. For volunteer training, the Gateway Resource Library has resources to train leaders on delegation, why (and how) to fire a volunteer, volunteer best practices, and more. They have a “Kids Ministry Platform Training” series of videos to offer tips on how to develop leaders for children’s ministry. There is a similar series for training small group leaders, altar ministry volunteers, guest experience, bookstore, and more.
Pricing: Free (you’ll need to create a free account)
Resource #7 – Life.Church’s Open Network
Life.Church and ServeHQ offer a free training series “Getting Started in Kids Ministry,” “Greeters and Guest Services,” and “Introduction to Small Groups” on Life.Church’s Open Network website.
Price: Free (you’ll need to create a free account)
Volunteer training ensures that workers are well-versed in your church’s policies and procedures. But more importantly, trainings are an opportunity to communicate the church’s vision for discipleship, developing leaders, and cultivating a welcoming environment.
Through well-designed trainings, a team will be more effective and committed to serving with excellence. Online training resources can help.