Building Your GriefShare Ministry Team

One of the greatest blessings of leading a GriefShare group is watching God bring healing to broken hearts through His Word and His people. But ministry can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to do everything yourself.

The good news is—you don’t have to.

Even Jesus didn’t send His disciples out alone. He sent them “two by two” (Luke 10:1–3). In the same way, sharing leadership brings strength, balance, and joy to your ministry. When you build a team, your group benefits from multiple caring voices, diverse perspectives, and the stability that comes when more than one person invests in participants’ lives.

Why a team matters

Leading a group on your own often feels exhausting. But with a ministry team, no one carries the weight alone.

If an emergency arises and you can’t lead for a week, someone else can step in. When responsibilities like hospitality, registration, prayer, and follow-up are shared, everyone can serve with joy and sustainability. And with multiple trained leaders, your church can expand its reach—offering various meeting times, online options, or even groups in different locations.

Most importantly, a team means you have people beside you who share your heart for helping the hurting. You’ll pray together, celebrate together, and grow together as you witness God’s healing work.

Who to look for

A healthy GriefShare ministry often starts with two facilitators for every six to eight participants. Having both a male and female on your team helps ensure everyone feels comfortable sharing openly.

As your group grows, invite others to serve in roles like promotion, administration, hospitality, and prayer. Each person helps extend Christ’s compassion in their own unique way. Some may make coffee and greet attendees, while others send reminder emails or faithfully pray behind the scenes. Every role matters.

Qualities of a great GriefShare volunteer

When identifying potential volunteers, begin with prayer. Ask God to reveal people in your church or past groups who might be ready to serve. Look for individuals who are:

• Spiritually stable and growing in their relationship with Christ
• Compassionate without being enabling
• Good listeners who help others feel heard and valued
• Relational and approachable, showing genuine care
• Teachable, with a humble heart
• Trustworthy and confidential
• Available and dependable

Don’t worry if someone doesn’t check every box. If a volunteer has a heart to help and is open to learning, they might be exactly who God wants on your team.

How to find volunteers

Recruiting doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s actually one of the most exciting ways to share what God is doing through your group. Here are some practical ways to connect with future team members:

• Announce the need during a service, your church’s website, or in a social media post
• Set up a GriefShare table at church with materials and a sign-up sheet
• Email past participants or church members who might have a heart for this ministry
• Host an informational meeting to explain the ministry and show a short video
• Visit small groups or classes to share how GriefShare helps hurting people briefly

And don’t overlook the people already in your group. Those who have experienced healing through GriefShare often become the most compassionate leaders for future groups.

You’ll have support every step of the way

If someone expresses interest but feels unsure, reassure them that they won’t be doing it alone. GriefShare offers step-by-step guidance, online leader training, downloadable resources, and personal coaching.

You’ll also find tools for recruiting and developing your team in LeaderZone Connect, including online training and team-building resources.

You’re not alone in this calling

Leading a GriefShare group is sacred work. You’re walking with people through some of the most painful seasons of their lives. But it’s not a journey you have to take alone.

When you invite others to serve alongside you, you’re not just sharing responsibilities—you’re inviting them into something deeply meaningful. Together, you can create a Spirit-filled space where grieving people encounter hope, healing, and the love of Christ.

Explore recruiting and training tools in the LeaderZone.