We’re about to finish our fourth year of ministry since planting Redemption Gateway. Through that time, we’ve had many different volunteer leaders in a variety of roles. Through it all, we’ve learned a valuable lesson: When it comes to volunteer leaders, 2 is better than 1.
It’s better to have two volunteers lead the team rather than one. Here are some reasons:
1. More leadership development. Having two leaders gives more people a chance to grow as a leader. They are forced to grow in their ability to plan, communicate, inspire, care, and lead.
2. More ownership. One of the strongest assets a church can have are people who own the ministry. Two leaders creates two owners. The more leaders that own the ministry, the stronger the people under them will be.
3. More flexibility for the leaders. People inevitably have to be absent for various legitimate things. Having two leaders makes it easier for flexibility when this happens.
4. Less burnout. Over and over, we’ve experienced that our ministries led by a single volunteer leader have had higher rates of burnout by those leaders. In contrast, in the areas where there has been a team, we’ve had almost no burnout.
5. Better ideas. Two people provide more ideas, creativity, and energy than just one.
I still believe in point leadership and think that there should be a “first among equals” even in the duo who’s leading (This allows for simpler and better communication, while still having people lead as a team in a very real sense). But, whenever possible, do what you need to do to have two volunteer leaders instead of just one.
