We can never forget that to volunteer and serve in a local church is a gift. We become part of something bigger than ourselves. My wife, who leads our children's ministry, is sowing the vision in the hearts of those who serve alongside her that when children are taught, families are impacted. Your "sowing" out of love and in faith can bear fruit beyond the simple task, time and place of your commitment. Jesus has always taken the ordinary and done something extraordinary with it! This includes every act of service you perform, whether seen or unseen, heard or unheard.
Photo courtesy of sxc.hu/profile/hussey
At Elim Grace, we ask all our volunteers to commit to the following three things:
1. SUPPORT YOUR MINISTRY LEADER AND VISION
Not only do we willingly volunteer our time and our effort, but we willingly volunteer to submit to and follow that leader whom God has chosen to lead that ministry. This means that God will give them a particular vision and we must do all we can to encourage them, support them and join them in fulfilling it.
2. SERVE WITH JOY AND EXCELLENCE
It's possible to be satisfied with a ministry without ever treasuring people. But ministry exists because of people! God has called us to serve Him by serving others. And so we should do so with the greatest amount of joy and excellence possible. Why? Because doing a mediocre job when we could do an excellent job doesn't show people that we treasure and value them as those whom God has sent to us to love and to serve with eagerness.
3. FULFILL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ON TIME AND COMPLETELY
A lack of planning and preparation can greatly diminish the desired outcome of any ministry effort. Those we serve will very quickly see in our preparation and presentation, in our faces and words, whether we feel our time to serve is a burden or a gift. Let us pray AND plan ahead. Success in ministry depends upon both.
One of the things we’ve implemented to help leaders as well as volunteers is the Planning Center Online. Five minutes of being proactive and signing-up or signing-in can eliminate confusion, miscommunication and extra work for all. Planning Center Online is how we organize and administrate our volunteer ministries and it is designed to simplify things for everyone from top to bottom.
MY APPLE STORE EXPERIENCE
Two weeks ago I needed to make an “emergency” trip to the Apple Store. I arrived at 11:30 am, fully knowing that Apple’s customer service functions on a reservation basis. Still, I determined to “test” the experience.
I arrived, was greeted within seconds and described my problem. I was informed that I could get an appointment at 3:30 pm. But then the customer service representative asked where I was coming from. When I told her and what the distance was, she took a moment, grabbed her iPad, ran her fingers across the screen and informed me that she could have me in within thirty minutes. Of course, I was thrilled! Twenty-five minutes later, I was at the Genius Bar. Five Minutes later, my problem had been fixed and I was one happy customer.
Here’s the point: I don’t remember the names of the two employees who helped me. But I do remember their faces.
Dear Volunteer, when you serve in your local church - whoever you serve, however you serve, whenever you serve - those children or teens or adults might not remember your name, but they will remember your face. You and I represent Jesus Christ to those who walk through our doors. We are HIS image, HIS reflection, HIS face. How will they remember the face of Jesus? We want them to see the light of HIS glorious face which draws, impacts and transforms people shining on our faces.
Please consider volunteering if you don’t. It’s a big need, it’s a bigger privilege. And thank you again if you do. You are one of the “living stones” Jesus is using to build His church (2 Peter 2:5).
QUESTIONS: What are your talents and gifts? What need has been expressed in your church? Have you asked where you can serve? When was the last time you thanked your leader or asked if they needed anything?
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