thrive community

Without volunteers, the ministries within almost every church in the world would come to a screeching halt. Each and every volunteer is vital to the overall success and health of every ministry.

At Journey Church, our philosophy of volunteerism is to present each person a voice into ministry as well as respect, authority and responsibility. There is an attitude that is prevalent among many churches that a volunteer is subconsciously seen as a position of low-level leadership. We believe it to be the contrary.

Leadership is influence. Every volunteer position is an incredible opportunity of shared leadership with the staff and elders of the church. From those who serve during our weekend services to those who actively serve on behalf of our faith community, volunteers are connected to and represent the vision, passion and mission of Journey Church. Every volunteer “adds to” or “subtracts from” the credibility of our church and the message we seek to convey through words and actions.

There’s a point of immaturity that rises from our hearts when we misunderstand the level of influence we have as a volunteer. It involves the statement: “Well, I’m only a volunteer.” If you’ve said that in the past or feel that in the present, may I encourage you to look beyond the people and the circumstances around you. There is a deeper issue that’s transpiring in your heart and it’s imperative that you see it.

That statement says more about what you believe than you realize. It’s a deeper declaration from your heart that signifies that you’ve lost sight of your God-given opportunity to influence lives for the Kingdom.

From my experience of more than twenty years of ministry, those who are not willing to take an honest and humble gaze into the attitude of their own heart end up becoming captive to this area of selfish immaturity, embrace a pattern of blaming others for their lack of influence and, more often than not, end up with a heart full of bitterness at God and resent church leadership.

It’s not so much about what you’re doing, but who you are becoming in the process.

Greater influence is a byproduct of greater service to others. It gives evidence to a humble heart, motivated to do whatever it takes to advance the gospel message and ministry God has given us. Leaders are invited into greater positions of influence, not because they serve to get noticed, but because they are noticed by how they serve.

If you have a “Volunteer” attitude, you’re being robbed of the opportunity to allow God to shape you so you can experience the joy of serving, no matter what you find yourself doing. It doesn’t mean that you need to forgo pursuing your areas of calling and passion in a specific ministry. What it does mean is that your love for our “common God” will compel you to serve our “common good” when it’s needed the most. This attitude is the foundation of all who follow Jesus and will ensure that our ministries and our message will remain vibrant and credible with all who witness the heart in which you serve others.

So, who are you becoming? Do you have a “Volunteer” attitude? I pray that you will loose it and discover the depth of influence found in being a ministry volunteer here at Journey. Ask God to search your heart (Ps. 139:23-24).

No matter what you find yourself doing, may you do it to the glory of God out of a heart that remembers who you serve and who you are becoming as you serve the common good.

Serve on!

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