This study examined the retention of volunteers in religious organizations and focused on the variables within these religious organizations to determine why volunteers stay or leave. The study sought to determine whether one or more of the sub scales of self-determination theory may serve as an independent variable in volunteer retention. The study was structured to identify a possible relationship between the sub scales of self-determination theory and the length of time that a volunteer serves in the church. Data from three personal demographic categories indicate motivational averages tended to increase with age and with educational attainment increased; and males tended to have slightly higher motivational averages than females. Data in all six volunteer demographic categories indicated higher motivational averages the more a volunteer connected, served, and engaged a church. A Spearman rho’s analysis identified perceived competence and interest/enjoyment both were shown to be statistically significant and can both reject the null hypothesis. A Cohen’s d test found that six motivation sub scales indicated having a large effect size for the volunteers who have served for a year or more. In conclusion of this study, there is direct indication that one or more of the sub scales of self-determination theory may serve as an independent variable in volunteer retention. Further, there is clear indication that the length of time a volunteer serves in a church does matter. The motivational impact on volunteer retention is greater once a volunteer has served for one year or longer. Thus, if churches can instill perceived competence and interest and enjoyment within their volunteers for at least one year, the likelihood of retaining that volunteer increases the longer the volunteer serves.