Volunteer? Or Volun-told?

By Travis McKenzie

“I didn’t volunteer, I was volun-told.”

This was the response from the son of a local para- church ministry director when acknowledged for his involvement in that specific organization. I think this could be the cry of many children whose parents are actively involved in Christian ministry. Seriously though, for many of us, if it weren’t for the volunteer (and sometimes volun-told) service of our families, much of what we call ministry in our churches would not exist.

Unfortunately, a spirit of apathy toward volunteer Christian service is spreading feverishly through many congregations in the American church. Many churchgoers consider church a “spectator-sport” without recognizing the urgent need for volunteers in ministry. I have been through many church business meetings in which volunteers called to serve in some capacity respond, “I’ll do it if nobody else will.”

I have often thought, “If this is our attitude toward ministry, we’d be much better off not doing that ministry at all!”

In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul addressed the necessity of a sincere Christian attitude in the workplace. In verse 22, he exhorted Christian workers to obey their “masters,” or supervisors, “not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.” Paul was addressing a level of dedication to our jobs that many today have forsaken. Then, in verse 23, he stated, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” In this verse, Paul reminded his readers that whatever an employer or “master” might require, they should perform those tasks with the same level of dedication they would give Christ Himself. I also see a broader application that includes any endeavor a Christian may undertake, especially volunteer ministry.

When recruiting ministry workers, I advise them not to take “ownership” of that ministry. Ownership often causes infighting that keeps us from accomplishing any true service for the Lord’s glory. When you “own” something, you want things done your way. It’s human nature. Instead, as servants for the Lord, I encourage Christian workers to approach ministry with a sense of “stewardship,” that is, caring for the belongings of someone else. In the case of Christian volunteers, it means pouring yourself into Christ’s ministry, just as you would if He were constantly watching. And, by the way, He is!

A great need for faithful volunteers existed in the New Testament Church. Multiple examples of volunteers in various capacities can be found in the book of Acts. Paul described volunteers in detail and expressed thankfulness for their efforts in furthering his ministry throughout his writings, as did the Apostle John. Quite frankly, we all know that without an army of volunteers, ministry in our churches would go undone. Volunteers often carry out the important responsibilities of caring for and teaching children, performing maintenance and up-keep of facilities, meeting specific needs of the congregation, and, probably most important, carrying out the public ministry of the church through any form of community outreach.

In September 2017, the Lord graciously allowed us to launch Compassion FWB Church in Ashland, Ohio. As lead pastor of a North American Ministries church plant, I have felt the enormous weight of needing dedicated volunteers from day one. Thankfully, our ministry has been blessed with individuals who have felt a sense of urgency toward the ministry and have stepped up to become dedicated volunteers.

If a serving spirit is going to thrive in our churches, it must be exemplified by the lead pastor and spread throughout the entire congregation. As servants before the Lord, no job is beneath us. And nothing is impossible for those fully relying on God for the increase. In Colossians 3:24, the Apostle Paul indicated if we are faithful to the Lord in our service we will receive the “reward of the inheritance.” This, of course, refers to our reward of eternal life with God in Heaven. We will hear Him say, “Enter in, thou good and faithful servant.”

If I have learned anything after nearly 27 years of ministry, it’s this: I can never expect anyone to demonstrate a greater level of dedication toward service than what I am willing to display myself. If we are going to change the trend of apathy among today’s churchgoers and create an atmosphere of dedicated volunteer service among congregants, it must start with us.

Do we have all the dedicated volunteers we need at Compassion Church? Absolutely not! We are constantly praying for and recruiting volunteers who show a desire to serve the Lord. Those individuals who don’t want to step up to take “stewardship” of a task or ministry are simply encouraged to participate and given ample opportunity to adopt this mindset.

Who knows, they just might see dedicated Christians in action and realize how rewarding serving God and others truly can be. If this happens, maybe they’ll want to volunteer without being volun-told.

About the Writer: Travis McKenzie is a church planter with North American Ministries in Ashland, Ohio: www.fwbnam.com.