Should Volunteers Be Fired?

“Should I fire one of my volunteers?” can be one of the most difficult questions to answer for a ministry leader. It isn’t an easy decision, and one that must balance the sinful nature of humans with the health and well-being of your team and local church. This week, we are going to look at this question from a variety of perspectives.

The decision to fire a volunteer from their service is not something to be taken lightly. If you are to undertake the firing of a volunteer, the result must be one of correction, not vengeance.

Regarding church discipline, R.C. Sproul writes:

“The church is called not only to a ministry of reconciliation, but a ministry of nurture to those within her gates. Part of that nurture includes church discipline…”

The core reason for firing a volunteer is often related to the heart. Often the best thing that can be done for the volunteer is to remove them from service until they can deal with and overcome the core heart issue. This is especially true with volunteer leaders, as they are in a position of power and must be held accountable for their actions as a leader.

Side note: I’ve been asked why the term “firing” instead of the word “dismissing”, “releasing”, or another word that is not as harsh. I use “firing” because this is what the volunteer will hear when you approach them, whether you use the word or not. By using this stronger word, it is preparing you for their reaction as well as reinforcing the seriousness of this decision.

Although it isn’t a pleasant thought, it is important to understand and prepare for the need to fire a volunteer that serves on your team. It also helps leaders to see when bad situations may occur and prevent them from happening. This week, we’ll continue to tackle this tough issue.

Popularity: 1% [?]