220: Mistake #5: Planning First, Asking for Help Second | Church Volunteer Series episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 17, 2026 · 21 MIN

220: Mistake #5: Planning First, Asking for Help Second | Church Volunteer Series

from The Small Church Ministry Podcast · host Laurie Graham

This episode in Stop Doing This to Volunteers: Top Mistakes Our Churches Are Making looks at how we unintentionally sideline volunteers before they even begin. We’ve been taught in leadership to make plans first and ask for help later. Turns out, that’s a great way to make people feel unnecessary, unimportant, and often unseen.In this episode, we cover:How early planning decisions limit participationWhy people disengage when they’re brought in too lateWhat shared ownership actually looks like in small churchesRESOURCES MENTIONEDJoin our free Facebook CommunitySupport the showSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people -- just like you -- in small churches who need to hear this.🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Small Church Ministry Podcast! See you next week!FOLLOW US:➡️  Website: smallchurchministry.com➡️  Instagram: instagram.com/smallchurchministry➡️  Facebook: facebook.com/smallchurchministry➡️  Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministry➡️  Small Church Network: smallchurchministry.com/membership

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 17, 2026

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This episode in Stop Doing This to Volunteers: Top Mistakes Our Churches Are Making looks at how we unintentionally sideline volunteers before they even begin. We’ve been taught in leadership to make plans first and ask for help later. Turns out, that’s a great way to make people feel unnecessary, unimportant, and often unseen. In this episode, we cover: How early planning decisions limit participationWhy people disengage when they’re brought in too lateWhat shared ownership actually lo...

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220: Mistake #5: Planning First, Asking for Help Second | Church Volunteer Series

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