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10 Characteristics of Church Staff that High-Capacity Volunteers Want to Follow
High-capacity volunteers are the backbone of every great church. They are the men and women who show up early, stay late, take ownership, and help make ministry happen. But here is something every church leader needs to understand — high-capacity volunteers do not follow just anyone.
Think about it — a natural tension exists between certain church staff who “operate at the speed of ministry” and high-capacity leaders who spend their weeks buying, selling, making hard decisions, and mobilizing people and resources to advance the mission and vision of their organizations.
These type of leaders will only follow staff members who lead well, care deeply, and operate with excellence.
The church I attend is NorthStar Church located in Kennesaw, GA. I serve under three remarkable leaders in Guest Services and Hospitality — Discipleship Pastor Drew Startup, Connections Pastor Zach Fisher, and Director of Guest Services Carrie Carter. They are incredible leaders, and it is an honor to serve under their guidance.
10 Characteristics of Church Staff that High-Capacity Volunteers Want to Follow
After observing how they lead our team, I identified the following 10 Characteristics of Church Staff That High-Capacity Volunteers Want to Follow.
1. They Value You.
Everything begins here. The best leaders never treat volunteers like replaceable parts in a ministry machine. They see people as partners in the mission of God.
I am a “words of affirmation guy”. Each of these leaders make me feel valued and that I am making a difference. When volunteers feel seen, appreciated, and genuinely valued, they give their very best effort.
Side note: One of the easiest ways to make high-capacity volunteers feel valued is to ask their opinion. “Can I get your thoughts on something?” is one of the simplest and most effective ways to attract and retain top leaders.
2. They Make You Better.
This past week, I was unsure how to add the most value in a role I was filling, so I asked Drew. In less than ten seconds, he gave me a clear and succinct path forward — and made me exponentially more effective.
High-capacity people crave growth. They do not want to stay the same — they want to be challenged, developed, and deployed in meaningful ways. They also do not want to waste time on things with a low return.
Great staff members invest in their volunteers, equipping them with new skills, providing honest feedback, and helping them grow spiritually and personally while making maximum impact.
3. They Are Highly Competent.
Did you notice in the previous point that I asked Drew for help? Why Drew? Because he was accessible and I knew he could provide solutions.
Competence builds confidence. High-capacity volunteers quickly lose interest when a staff member is unorganized, unclear, or inconsistent. They follow people who know what they are doing and who lead with excellence. Competent leaders communicate that the mission matters and that time spent serving is time well spent.
4. They Work Hard, Very Hard.
Another type of staff member high-capacity volunteers will not follow is one who is lazy. Frankly, this is another article for another day when I am in a bad frame of mine. But not today.
I am continually blown away by Zach Fisher’s work ethic. NorthStar Church has a very large campus, yet Zach somehow seems to cover all the ground with ease. He is always in motion and never in one location very long – only long enough to encourage one of my fellow volunteers.
Volunteers mirror what they see. When staff set the pace through effort, energy, and enthusiasm, it inspires others to match their commitment. High-capacity volunteers respect leaders who hustle, prepare, and deliver on their word.
5. They Create Opportunities for You to Use Your Gifts and Talents.
High-capacity volunteers spend their week doing things of great significance — and they want to do things of great significance at church.
Great church staff do not just fill slots — they release potential and giftedness. They see what people do best and then create opportunities for them to serve in ways that align with their passions and strengths. This turns volunteering from duty into pure joy.
6. They Follow Up.
In leadership, follow-up is the low-hanging fruit very few people pick. Carrie is especially strong in this area.
High-capacity people notice when details are dropped and commitments forgotten. But when staff check in during the week, keep their promises, send reminders, and close loops, it communicates respect, reliability, and professionalism..
7. They Personally Ask You to Participate.
High-capacity volunteers rarely respond to large-scale invitations. They also do not want to force themselves into a ministry role — but many are just waiting to be asked.
A personal ask — “Would you help with this?” — communicates belief and confidence. Great staff understand that one invitation can awaken someone’s calling.
For example, Zach personally asked me to join the team — and he did it over lunch.
8. They Become Friends.
One of the primary reasons high-capacity leaders join a volunteer team is they are looking for friendships not based upon performance. Drew, Zach, and Carrie are my friends – first and foremost.
The best ministry relationships grow into genuine friendships. Shared mission builds trust and connection, and friendship often becomes one of the sweetest results of serving together.
9. They Ask About Your Family.
People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Asking about a volunteer’s family shows you value them beyond their contribution. It is a simple gesture that builds deep loyalty.
10. They Know Everyone’s Name.
This was the first thing I noticed about Zach – even above his competency and work ethic. On a team with dozens of members, he seemed to know everyone’s name.
Remembering names matters. It shows attention to detail and intentional care for the people you lead. Zach’s ability to know and remember names demonstrates his investment in the relationships that make ministry thrive.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, leadership is about people — valuing them, developing them, and helping them fulfill their God-given potential. That is exactly what Drew Startup, Zach Fisher, and Carrie Carter do every single week at NorthStar Church. They lead with excellence, care deeply, and create an environment where high-capacity volunteers do not just serve — they thrive.
If your staff consistently follow their example and model these 10 qualities, you will not have to go looking for high-capacity volunteers — they will come looking for you.