Every Role Matters: Defining Volunteer Roles in Recovery Ministry
Our discipleship based recovery ministry is dependent on volunteers to serve in specific ways.
A little over a year ago, a guy started in our recovery ministry with what he would call a struggle with pornography. But through the process of Re:generation, a discipleship based 12-step recovery ministry, he now claims freedom from that struggle. More than that he’s been willing to share his testimony of how God has worked in his life to confess and repent in that struggle, and make his relationships stronger.
What if one small act of service could change the trajectory of someone’s life?
Recovery ministry isn’t just praying and hoping Jesus changes people. It’s also about intentionally serving in ways that facilitates an environment for Jesus to change people.
The Mission of Recovery Ministry
Our local Re:generation ministry exists to help people become fully devoted followers of Christ. In that mission we help people deal with sin issues that hold them back from the goal. We facilitate confession, repentance and planning for future struggles.
Our volunteers aren’t just filling roles—they’re facilitating life change.
Every Role Matters
I played soccer at a high level as a teenager. On our East Texas Olympic Development team every role was important. We needed speed at fullback, fearlessness from strikers, strategic insight from the coach, and the equipment manager to have everything ready. Every role mattered there, and it matters in recovery ministry as well.
Even if you don’t think you have much to offer, your presence can be the difference between someone staying in recovery or giving up.
Key Volunteer Roles and Their Impact
We utilize several different roles in our ministry and each one is important. Some of the ones listed include links to the “job description” for that role.
Greeters – First impressions matter. A warm welcome can lower anxiety for someone attending for the first time, making them feel seen and valued before they even take a seat.
Groundwork Leaders – Guiding newcomers through the foundational principles of recovery, helping them understand the process and commit to the journey ahead.
Step-Group Leaders – Facilitating deep discipleship by leading participants through the 12-step, Christ-centered recovery process in a structured and supportive setting.
Group Coaches – Providing leadership and encouragement to step-group leaders, ensuring they are equipped, supported, and growing in their ability to guide others.
Mentor Coach – Training and overseeing one-on-one mentors, ensuring that participants receive intentional, Christ-centered guidance from experienced volunteers.
Testimony Coach – Helping individuals craft and share their personal recovery stories in a way that glorifies God and encourages others on their journey.
AVL Team – Managing sound, video, and slides to create a distraction-free, engaging atmosphere where people can focus on worship and teaching during large group time.
Admin Team – Handling registration, follow-ups, resource distribution, and behind-the-scenes logistics that keep the ministry running smoothly.
How to Find Your Place in Recovery Ministry
What are your strengths? What role fits your personality and spiritual gifts? The answer to these questions will give you a basic starting point. I say starting point because you don’t have to commit for life! Serve in a role for a short season to see where you thrive. Sometimes, the best place to serve isn’t where you feel qualified but where God calls you to step in faith.
A Call to Action
If you are reading this and you are a part of Re:generation at Greenwood, you are needed. Someone’s breakthrough may be waiting on your “yes” to serve. Leave me a comment about where you would like to serve. Or email me.
Are you a church leader somewhere else? You can bring this discipleship based recovery ministry to your church by checking out this link. Or you can use a similar idea of creating clear job descriptions for the areas where you lead.