Some advice for church “volunteers” …

Have you ever known someone who was both a blessing and a “curse”?

Someone who simultaneously, contradictorily made life easier AND harder for you at the same time?

Someone who contributed and confounded, helped and sometimes weren’t so helpful, made some things easier while making some things harder?

That’s what SOME church “volunteers” bring to a church when they sign up to take on a position, task, or role in a church.

First, let me re-state something I’ve spoken to before, which is my complete disdain for the use of the word “volunteer” for members serving in their local church. “Volunteer” denotes a clergy/laity mentality rather than promoting a “priesthood of all believers” concept. But it is true that a great deal of the work of the local church depends on non-paid members carrying out the work of ministry as “supervised” by a paid, ordained staff minister.

With that said, I think it’s important that “volunteers” understand how certain attitudes toward their contribution can make life difficult for ministers who are trying to lead church members in accomplishing the work of ministry. Let me offer three important words of advice to anyone willing to “volunteer” in a ministry role or project in their local church …

1. KEEP YOUR COMMITMENTS
If you say you’re going to do something, do it. If you say you’re going to do something a certain way, do it the way you said you were going to do it. Whatever you commit to doing, keep your word precisely as you’ve given it. If you cannot be counted on to do what you said you would do, the way you said you would do it, you become more of a hindrance to the leader and the ministry team than you are a help. Before you make a commitment, first resolve with yourself to be 100 percent reliable in what you commit yourself to doing; if you can’t or won’t do that, don’t “volunteer.”

2. BRING YOUR BEST
There are many highly talented, greatly gifted people in the church who can be of significant benefit to church ministries as they contribute their talents and giftedness for ministering to others. Fortunately, many non-vocational ministers (the “average” church member) offer their talents, skills, and experience to be used for God’s glory every day. BUT, that isn’t the case among all “volunteers.” Too often some bring only a sliver of their real talent; they’re awesome at using their talents at work, but very sloppy about putting to use the same abilities for the Lord. If you’re going to volunteer to serve in a ministry position, activity, or project, bring your best! That’s the real value in your contribution. If you’re not willing to bring your best, don’t volunteer.

3. BE A RELIABLE TEAMMATE
Some volunteers are so good at what they do with their talents, gifts, skills, and experience at work that they are trend-setters, have national or international reputations, and are the guys and gals from whom we get our best practices. They arrive early at the office, meet deadlines, produce great work product, are reliable team members, and great to work with. Then they volunteer for a ministry project in their local church and show up late (if at all), don’t bring their best, think they know better than everyone else on the team, think they know better than the leader, and spend more time smirking at what’s going on than being a part of it. If you’re not willing to be one among peers of volunteers, offer your best, support the team, and respect your leaders, then don’t volunteer.

The church isn’t “lucky” to get someone like you to volunteer your great skills, instead here’s the truth …

It is God who has blessed you with your talents and gifts and He is the source of any “success” you’ve ever achieved in your life. He gave His Son as a sacrifice on a cross to redeem you from your sins and reconcile you to Him. He has even adopted you as His very own child. Now, He’s made you an ambassador for Jesus Christ, and He has every expectation that you will bring your very best to His family that you’re a part of — the church — and pour out your life in service as a priest in His kingdom. God expects this of all who belong to Him.

Take a look at one snapshot of what scripture describes as your new identity in Christ …

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

Given this phenomenal grace of God in your life, the leaders in your church should be able to count on you to keep your commitments, bring your best, and be a supportive and encouraging teammate who makes positive contributions to the ministry work you’re a part of.

Don’t be that unreliable “problem volunteer” that is a thorn in the side of a minister trying to lead others in ministry. Step up or step out until you’re willing to be the kind of “volunteer” any minister would love to have on his team.

Scotty