April  2002

   "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." (1 Pet. 4:10, NRSV)
   "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10)
   "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Heb. 13:16, NRSV)
   "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Tim. 6:18)

Volunteer, Who Me?
One of the first things I learned, after joining the military, was that you never volunteer for anything. The old-timers held the notion that you will get enough duties without having to volunteer. So, I became an adherent to this philosophy. When-ever the call went out for volunteers, I would ask, who me?
It was not very long before I became troubled by watching other people do the work and I enjoyed the blessings of their efforts. I rationalized (I said to myself, self.) that I was just too busy. When this did not work, I tried to find solace in the fact that most of the things being done I really did not care about or need. I even sought consolation in the fact that I was a religious person and I gave some time to the church. Try as I might, none of these reasons satisfied my discomfort. I had to honestly confront the fact that the source of my problem was my not fulfilling my part of the extra duties.

   Why did I share this anecdote? To suggest that just as my military unit needed volunteers, the church cannot effectively carry out its missions without volunteers. While, we thank you and God for your finances, your money alone will not make the church an organism. For the church to be alive, we need people actively involved in the life of the church. We are most effective when we all work together in community. That means, each person doing their part for the edification of the body. Someone has aptly said, "A load is lighter when carried by many." We can learn from the ant. For he recognizes that his strength lies in unity. The newspaper (The Epistle) you are now reading was done by volunteers. The building you are sitting in was brought into fruition by a building committee. About 21 people worked (volunteered) over a two-year period.  The food you eat here at the church is prepared and served by volunteers. If you take your baby to the nursery, it is cared for by volunteers. When the kids go to Children's Church, they are taught and ministered to by volunteers. Some of the children and families that have become active members in our church were picked up in the church van by volunteers. Have you noticed that the display case in the library is beautifully decorated each month? It is done by volunteers. The bulletin board in the reception area is changed every month by a volunteer. Have you ever wondered who keeps our sanctuary so seasonally adorned with fresh flowers and the like? You guessed it. It was done by a volunteer. There are many people in our church that have no office or label, but they see something that needs to be done and they do it.

   I remember reading that the work in the church is done by 20 per cent of the membership. That means that we have a tremendous latent power source. Imagine if every member gave one day a year to the work of the church in volunteer service. Since we boast of having over 1,000 members, that would be least 24,000 hours (1, 000 x 24). With 24,000 hours of volunteer service we would have 65.75 hours (24,000/365) each day. No one would get burned out, no one would be burdened, and we all would be blessed.

   The Scriptures cited above admonishes us to do good to all people, especially those who are of the household of faith. This article is not written to send you on a "guilt trip." People who work to satisfy a guilt feeling will do good until the guilt goes away. But, our work should be out of a keen sense of gratitude to God for all that He has done for us. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another." (John 13:35) 
I am calling for a renewed awareness of community, one-for-all-and-all-for-one! I am calling for people who would dare think like an ant. I am calling for people who are willing to serve others joyfully. I am looking for people who freely choose to work for the Lord and others. We need people who find a blessing in being an instrument of God's love in the life of other people.

   At present, we are in dire need of people to volunteer to work with the bus ministry, church school, credit union (tellers, board members, auditors, etc.), nursery, kitchen committee, tape ministry, library committee, Youth Department, health ministry (HANDS) and in many other areas. Our church needs volunteers!
   Volunteer, who me?