Q: Jon, we celebrated our volunteers this last weekend @ VCC. For someone that has never served/volunteered before, can you give them some handles on why they should serve?
A: Every organization has two components that must always be in tension. It’s people & it’s mission. Interestingly, both (people & mission) will cry out for our undivided attention. However, like any parent that has multiple children, no one child gets all the attention, all the time. Because the church is an organization, we are no different in scope and expectation from other organizations. We have a mission and we have people. However, what differentiates us from the bank or restaurant down the street is how we execute the tension between people & mission. In other words, our church’s mission is to turn irreligious people into passionate Jesus followers. By default that means we have many different people on the spiritual spectrum at our church. My point is simply this: Serving/Volunteering bridges this gap between people & mission. Our mission is accomplished as we look beyond ourselves to others. Those that are touched by a kind act of service are often transformed by God’s grace. And as God’s grace gains a foothold in them, service is born. And the cycle starts over.
Let me give you a brief list of reasons why every person should serve and give their heart to extending the kingdom:
1. You were made for it. It’s true. If you are a follower of Christ, then His Spirit is in You (Romans 8:9, Col. 1:27). And if His Spirit is in you, you were made to serve. We’re being transformed into his image daily. And His image is one of service. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
2. It’s part of the discipleship process. For many of us, “discipleship” is defined as meeting with someone older, reading the bible together and answering accountability questions. That definition is only half true. Reason being, if all we ever do is soak up information and enjoy the nuggets of wisdom of others, but never put that information into practice, then we are not truly walking out discipleship. You and I cannot call ourselves disciples unless we are walking with Jesus into places of discomfort to serve those in need.
3. It’s fun. In spite of the fact that Jesus was called the “suffuring servant” (Is. 53:11), serving is not painful. It can and should be downright fun. Seeing the hurting healed, the broken put back together, the hungry fed and the gospel extended…friends there is no better word to describe that than FUN.
4. It builds community. Community is certainly a buzz word. The basic definition is this: A group of people that gather together and build relationships based on affinity. In other words, we become friends because of our common interests. If there is anything we have in common, it is our awareness of our own brokenness and the Spirit of God compelling us to share Him with others. Let me tell you with surety, there is no better place to build friendship than on the bridge of service.
5. It helps extend God’s kingdom. Honestly, the church & the kingdom can not be built by pastors. We’re usually a bunch of cowardly egg-heads anyway. We need the bold and courageous actions of the body of Christ to step forward and take the ball down the field. Service is just that.
6. You are healed, when you serve others. I know this last one is counter-intuitive, but it’s true. More often than not, those that suffer over a long period of time will begin to identify with their sickness. That is a dangerous trend because not only does it cause them to take Christ off the throne of their heart, but then they are unable to see the needs of others. However, when we serve even in the midst of our pain, Christ often brings a salve of healing, hope and forgiveness to our hearts & bodies.
Let’s be His hands and feet this year!
