Before You Fire a Volunteer

In the past, I’ve witnessed the following issues that have required the firing of a volunteer:

• Consistent refusal to follow the direction of leaders/staff when asked, including unkind words or gossip discussed with others within the church
• Heart or sin issues that translate into power or verbal abuse with other volunteers and/or staff
• Extreme issues of volunteer leaders associating their salvation or identity from their leadership of a ministry (i.e. “without me, this ministry wouldn’t exist”)

Before you fire a volunteer, it is important to ensure that the issue requires dismissal of the volunteer. Consider the following questions before you consider the firing of a volunteer:

1. If the issue is minor but consistently happening, have you worked with the volunteer to try and correct the issue?
2. If the issue is major, has there already been discussion with staff/elders regarding the issue and counselling conducted?
3. If the issue one that can be corrected with accountability and study/prayer, has this been attempted?
4. Has this issue negatively impacted others within the church?
5. Do you have the full support of your staff and/or elders before you fire the volunteer?

Firing a volunteer is a serious issue and can result is serious hurt. Before you decide to fire a volunteer, pray and think carefully and utilize the wisdom of other believers.