Why “Motivating” People in Ministry Doesn’t Work
And What Does
If you’ve been leading in a parish for any length of time, you’ve probably experienced this: you send out an email, make an announcement at Mass, and maybe even personally ask people to step up to serve in a ministry… and the response?
Or maybe you do get volunteers, but they seem disengaged—just going through the motions, showing up out of obligation – or potentially a feeling of guilt – rather than conviction. You might have even watched good, faithful people completely burn out and quietly step away, never to return. It can leave you wondering, What’s going wrong? Why do people seem so hesitant or uncommitted? Why can’t we get (and keep) volunteers?
Let’s be honest—guilt, obligation, and pressure rarely inspire lasting commitment in ministry. Think about your own life: when was the last time you felt truly joyful or energized to serve because you were pressured into it? While duty and responsibility have their place—especially in the life of faith—people are not deeply motivated by guilt. Instead, true and lasting commitment comes when we recognize that our service is a response to God’s love, not a burden to carry. What if, instead of seemingly pressuring people to fill a role, we invited them to discover how God is calling them to serve with joy? Could we help them to see that serving in such a way will help them to fulfill a longing of their heart through utilizing the gifts God has given them, in a way He just may intend?
Many parish leaders try to motivate people by telling them how badly they are needed. I am guilty of this as much as anyone! We emphasize how the parish “can’t function” without volunteers or remind people that “if we don’t get more help, we’ll have to cancel this ministry.” And while those concerns are real, they don’t inspire people to serve joyfully and wholeheartedly.
Susan Fowler’s book, Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work… and What Does, challenges us to rethink everything we know about motivation—especially in leadership. She explains that external motivators (like rewards, recognition, pressure, or even guilt) don’t create lasting engagement. Instead, people thrive when they experience:
Autonomy – The freedom to make meaningful choices.
Relatedness – A sense of belonging and purpose.
Competence – The confidence that they’re making a difference.
Many Parishes Struggle with Volunteers—But What If the Problem Isn’t People’s Willingness, But the Way We Invite Them?
Instead of simply asking for help, what if we invited people into mission—helping them see their gifts and how God may be calling them to serve? When people feel personally called and equipped, they are far more likely to step up and remain engaged.
A Note on Secular Leadership Models & Catholic Ministry
Fowler’s research is valuable in understanding how people are wired, but as Catholics, we know that ministry is ultimately driven by grace, not just psychology or even biology.
It is God who calls, sustains, and strengthens people for service. If we rely only on motivational strategies but neglect the action of the Holy Spirit, our ministries will always struggle to bear fruit.
St. Paul reminds us:
“By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:10, RSVCE)
Ministry is not just about filling roles or “getting people involved”—it’s about helping people recognize and respond to God’s call on their lives.
So, what if we stopped trying to “motivate” people with urgency and obligation, and instead invited them into a transformative encounter with Christ through their service? What if we elevated this transformative encounter above simply “getting involved?”
Shift from “Recruiting” to “Discerning”
Our approach to finding volunteers for ministry can, at times, seem more like recruiting for a job rather than inviting someone into their calling.
We make urgent appeals:
“We desperately need more catechists!”
If we don’t get enough volunteers, we’ll have to cancel this program.”
“Come on, can you spare an hour?”
Now, none of these statements are wrong—but they don’t inspire people. Instead, they make ministry sound like a burden, not an invitation.
Imagine if instead, we framed ministry as an opportunity for deeper discipleship and growth in Christ:
“Where do you feel God calling you to serve in our parish?”
“Your gifts are needed in the Church. Have you considered how God might want to work through you in ministry?”
“I see in you a real gift for hospitality. Have you ever considered serving as a greeter?”
Ministry is both a calling and a sacrifice. Just as Christ called His disciples into mission out of love, our service should flow from both obedience to God and the deep joy of knowing we are serving Him.
Biblical & Catechetical Wisdom:
“As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10, RSVCE)
· “Lay believers are in the front line of Church life… they ought to have an ever-clearer consciousness not only of belonging to the Church, but of being the Church.” (Christifideles Laici, 9)
The shift from recruiting to discerning recognizes that ministry isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about helping people respond to God’s call.
Follow Christ’s Example: Call, Empower, and Trust Others
It’s a common challenge in parish life: some leaders try to do everything themselves. Often, this happens not out of a desire to control, but out of a deep love for the Church and a fear that things won’t get done. Perhaps, for some, it may even come from years of experiencing difficulty in finding volunteers.
But the ministry of the Church (and the local parish) was never meant to be carried out alone.
Jesus, the Son of God Himself, did not carry out His mission alone. He called disciples, equipped them, and sent them forth. He could have single-handedly preached the Gospel to every corner of the world, but instead, He entrusted His mission to ordinary men and women.
· “And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach.” (Mark 3:14, RSVCE)
· “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12, RSVCE)
Rather than holding onto every responsibility, Jesus empowered His followers—not because He needed help, but because it was part of forming them as disciples. Certainly, God Himself could be more effective at this ministry. Yet, He calls us to participate. Why? Because He loves us; and there is something to be gained in allowing us to do the great work with Him.
In the same way, pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers are called not just to do ministry but to raise up others to share in the work of Christ.
· “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-12)
Pope Francis reminds us of this in his first encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel:
“In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers. It is a community of communities, a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey, and a center of constant missionary outreach.” (EG 28)
“I dream of a “missionary option”, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” (EG 27)
“Pastoral ministry in a missionary key seeks to abandon the complacent attitude that says: ‘We have always done it this way.’ I invite everyone to be bold and creative in the task of rethinking the goal, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities.” (EG 33)
And again, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “It is necessary to improve pastoral structures in such a way that the co-responsibility of all the members of the People of God in their entirety is gradually promoted, with respect for vocations and for the respective roles of the consecrated and of lay people. This demands a change in mindset, particularly concerning lay people. They must no longer be viewed as "collaborators" of the clergy but truly recognized as "co-responsible", for the Church's being and action, thereby fostering the consolidation of a mature and committed laity.”
Susan Fowler’s analogy is fitting:
“You don’t grow a flower by pulling on its leaves; you create the right conditions for it to flourish.”
Creating Space for Handing On Parish Ministries to the Next Generation
One of the most frequent concerns I hear is that ‘young people’ won’t get involved. Ministries often continue unchanged until they can no longer sustain themselves due to volunteers aging out. This is unfortunate. However, if we return to Fowler’s stated effective motivators, one of the primary challenges I believe becomes clear.
Are we creating spaces where “young people” (interpret as you wish in your parish setting) can truly get involved?
Are we creating spaces where they can exercise autonomy? Relatedness? Competence?
Are we helping them to feel like they are making a difference?
Or are we simply relegating them to the sidelines and telling them, “This is how we have always done it.” This is not to be critical. I would prefer to present this as an “encouraging challenge” for prayerful consideration.
Overcoming Obstacles & Taking the First Steps
Shifting from a recruitment mindset to a discernment culture can feel like a daunting task, especially if your parish has been doing things the same way for years. You might wonder, Where do I even begin? The good news is that even small, intentional changes can have a big impact. You don’t have to overhaul your entire ministry structure overnight. Start with one simple shift—perhaps rewording your next volunteer invitation to focus on calling and mission rather than urgency and obligation. Or take time this week to personally invite just one person into ministry by affirming a gift you see in them. These small steps build momentum, and over time, they can transform the way people engage with ministry in your parish.
Encouragement for Overwhelmed Leaders: It Takes Time
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this, you’re not alone. Many parish leaders already feel stretched thin, and the idea of changing how ministry operates may seem like just one more burden. But take heart—this is not about adding more work to your plate. It’s about approaching ministry in a way that ultimately makes it more sustainable. Even Jesus didn’t form His disciples in a single day—He walked with them, patiently formed them, and trusted them to grow. Change in a parish takes time, and that’s okay. Trust that God is at work in your ministry, and allow yourself the grace to take this process one step at a time. You are not alone in this—God is with you, and the Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of those He is calling to serve.
Final Encouragement: Leading Like Christ
At the end of the day, Christ invites us to lead as He led:
By calling people into mission, not just assigning tasks.
By trusting and empowering others, even when it feels risky.
By seeing leadership as a way to form disciples, not just to get things done.
If we survey the history of the Church, and even look at the example of Scripture, one thing becomes abundantly clear: In every time and in every place the Lord raises up the right people with the right gifts to meet the needs of the times.
If we trust the Lord that remains the same yesterday, today, and forever, and if we therefore trust the people God has placed in our parishes, if we call forth their gifts, provide them opportunities to serve and discern those gifts, and if we walk with them as they grow, we will see a transformation in ministry—not just in efficiency, but in discipleship and joy.
What Do You Think?
Have you experienced these challenges in ministry? What strategies have helped you engage volunteers in a meaningful way? Share your thoughts in the comments below!