The Seven Commandments of Volunteering
The Seven Commandments of Volunteering
Volunteers are the lifeblood of a local congregation. Without great volunteers a church can’t fulfill the mission given to us by God – loving people and bringing them into a growing relationship with Jesus. God designed the church to be a living, growing body not an organization or club. That is why the Bible employs metaphors like a body, a flock, and a family to describe the church.
Volunteering has many benefits to you personally as well. It allows us to fulfill Jesus’ command to serve. It connects us and makes us feel like a part of a team. It helps us develop deep relationships. Deep relationships and close friendships keep us connected to the church even in difficult times. Serving in church fulfills us and gives an avenue to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. Serving God by serving others through a local congregation of believers helps your spiritual wellbeing and promotes spiritual growth. Volunteering should never be just an add-on to our schedule but should be a priority in our Christian journey. Here are a few tips on how you can be a great volunteer and make a huge impact for Christ at your church.
Show Up on Time
Treat your volunteer ministry as a priority. Showing up on time for your pre-service meeting is essential. This allows you to pray with your team and get ready to serve others. Not showing up on time says to others that you don’t take your job seriously.
Bring Your A-Game
People need your best. Many people come to church needing Jesus or needing someone to care for them. Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before. Make sure that you look and smell clean. Brush your teeth! Bad breath hinders even the greatest volunteer. Know your job description so you can be effective.
Pray
Jesus said that we accomplish nothing of value without him. Make sure to pray and get in the right frame of mind to help others. Some people present a challenge and aren’t easy to love.
Show Some Heart…And Some Teeth
Remember that you are here to serve others. Focus on serving them. Chat with your friends after church. Make sure to be on the lookout for new people. Smile a lot.
Attitude Check
Your attitude should always be positive and friendly. Don’t just point people to where they need to go. Host them. Walk with them. Answer their questions. If you don’t know the answer, take them to your team leader or a staff member. Never leave them with unanswered questions.
Think Big Picture
The ultimate win happens when we serve and love others. A great program is good, but it is not the win. Always be prepared to help outside of your area of ministry. Remember that the vision is for the whole church not just your area of ministry.
Bring A Friend
You are a representative of Jesus and Still Waters Church. Your ultimate job is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus. Getting people connected to our church is a big step. But we don’t just want to get people in the door; we want to get them connected. One of the best ways to get people connected is to get them to serve with you. Recruit a friend to serve with you. Don’t depend on your team leader or the church staff to do all the recruiting. Get excited and bring your friends along!
I believe Still Waters Church has some of the greatest volunteers in the world. Our best days are ahead of us, and I believe we are going to have a great school year. I am so proud of all of you. Let’s make the rest of this year the best ever by being an MVP volunteer!