3 Lies Volunteers Believe
1. “I volunteer to fill a hole.”
Here’s another way of phrasing this one: “Well, if you really need someone, I guess I can.”
Imagine the impact we could make if joy exuded from everything we did. Joy can be difficult to share when we obligate ourselves into things that work against the grain of who we are. Do you love playing games? Host a game night. Are you a carpenter? Build a box to hold legos for kids. Do you love teaching? Maybe City Kids is an area you could thrive. Maybe you’re the 2015 Barista Champion of the area? Join the coffee team. Let’s do what we do not because we have to, but because it’s what we do. If we ever find ourselves serving in areas outside of our comfort/passion zone, let’s still do it with a spirit of joy.
2. “There are plenty of people to do it, besides me.”
“Why don’t we have a ______ ministry? We really need _______. Perhaps someone else step up. There’s no area that I could really serve in.”
I think we’ve all been guilty of this at least a few times in our lives. We see that there is a need, but believe that someone else will fill it. Ever had a million dollar idea, then 3 months later see someone else be the one to do it? Ministry can be the same way. Often times, the Holy Spirit prompts us with an idea or desire. This could be an opportunity to be used by God for the sake of the Gospel. Sometimes we find ourselves serving in the wrong places in church because there is so much emphasis on “doing it for the gospel.” Let me clear this up real quick. What about a chance to be used by God for the sake of who He’s created you to be? God gets excited when we are do things that excite us and operate in the uniqueness of who He has made us to be. If you have a desire for something, don’t let it fall by the wayside. Give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen? Most likely, you will be the one to make it happen!
3. “The Church wouldn’t survive without me.” OR… “If I don’t do it, no one else will.”
This might contradict what I just mentioned, but hear me out. It’s not about you. Yes, you are special, gifted and valued; but God doesn’t need the grumpy cat representing Him. Philippians 2:13-15 says “…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” If we ever find ourselves nearing a burn-out, it just might be the perfect opportunity to encourage and empower others to join us or even take our place for a season. We represent Jesus. We wear His jersey proudly. The church will survive without us. A season in a different role (or even on the bench) is totally okay.
We may even project this lie to other people (especially onto the leaders of the church), believing that certain people are keystones and the church wouldn’t survive without them. Romans 12:3-5 says “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” It is great to give people value as long as we remember the Church will be built on the Rock.
City Church is always changing and growing in new ways because we are a living, breathing organism. Building a healthy church starts with building a healthy community. Let’s live life together. Would you consider bringing value to one of our teams through who you are and what God can do in you and through you? Trust me, you won’t want to miss out.
Written by Worship Pastor/Volunteer Director Chrizle.
Email chrizle@lovehopecity.com today if you want to serve!