Church leaders have the great privilege of seeing to the spiritual formation of disciples. This is core to the mission Jesus gave us. One of the aspects of spiritual formation is service.
For service, the many members of the Body have diverse gifts and function. Thus the responsibility of pastors and church leaders is connecting need to people’s gifts and vice versa. It is creating space and opportunities for people to discover and exercise their gifts.
When leaders fail to create such an environment they stunt the growth of those they lead. Pastors and leaders can also rob the communities they serve of healthy churches that meet the needs around them.
Thus service is not only critical for those who serve, but also for those the church ought to reach. This means it is important to create ways for people to contribute both their time and talent in the life of the church. For their good and for the benefit of others as well.
On Structure
Volunteer structures are necessary. Your congregation needs to know how to sign up to serve. It is easier for people to commit when they know demands on their time and other resources.
For instance, tech and media volunteers need to know what they are signing up for. They need to know expectations and demands on their time and skills before they commit.
Clear, simple structures and systems should make serving for all members easier. But yet, this is not always the case. Sometimes they get in the way.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Not everyone’s family life, career and such can fit into our churches’ systems and structures. For example, some members of your congregation travel a lot. The demands of their family life sometimes do not fit into the days or weekly hours volunteers ‘should’ to give.
Some of the most talented people in your church have restricting demands on their time outside of church. Some people travel so much they cannot commit to the ‘required’ extent. It is not that they’re not committed as Christians; it is just that, in practical ways, it is impossible for them.
It might just be that our volunteer structures or systems ‘close out’ have great skill.
For Pastors and Church Leaders
This means church leaders need to listen to understand some of the practical challenges some may have. It also means they need to commit to finding ways to address them.
Though structure is important we must remember that it is there to help members serve. It cannot become an obstacle. Sure, it is messier and takes more effort to try accommodating everyone.
Trying to be more inclusive may just be worth the trouble and discomfort.
Remember the opportunities to serve transcend the discomfort of keeping rosters intact and clean.
Think: Who could you be closing out? Are there no other ways to involve the mom who has some gifts to contribute but can’t make all the hours you’ve set? What about the professional with great talent who is only in town on the weekends?
How can you take advantage of technology to include or involve people? If the challenge is of proximity it might not be difficult to solve.
Make sure that volunteer structures and systems are not hindering involvement. Commit to continually finding ways for people to serve despite their challenges.
Make the circle bigger in your church so that you can make a difference in the lives of people beyond your church’s walls.
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Jesse says
This model seems to be about accommodating your church to the attenders in your church. What role does prioritizing church and church needs come into play in this discussion? For church should be highest consideration in our lives. I fear that too much accommodation could produce lazy, disengaged members. Thoughts?
Blessing Mpofu says
I’m not suggesting an extreme of accommodating everyone in all ways. what I’m saying is to be aware of other real needs and challenges to take into account. sometimes people with the best intent and the church at heart can have restrictions they cannot control.
one of the questions every leader or church should answer is to what extent they value serving as a value. they also need to answer the extent they will go to remove barriers for those with a burden for the church but have restrictive circumstances.
it is important to emphasise the importance of the local church and being involved in its work. you might consider using the involvement of such people with challenges as an example of people with a heart for the church. “if people with these circumstances can contribute despite their circumstances, we, with less challenges, can do the same” or “there are always to be involved…”
also to think about: is there greater benefit in having people engage in some way, however they can contribute or not at all? every church or leader needs to answer these questions for their context.
consider letting people know what your volunteer structures are like. explaining why some people aren’t always in town, for example, and that they send their apologies might endear trust and commitment and not laziness and disengaged members.
perhaps even dare to share why you are making certain provisions and be upfront about your fears or concerns of laziness and disengaged people. i do not have all the answers, just some considerations you might want to explore. the mission of the local church is worth trying all you can 😉
Eric Dye says
I agree. In my experience, the system has either been too rigid and formal or non-existence. Fundamentally, however, I think it’s a relational DNA in a church’s culture that works best—no matter the structure—IMO.
Blessing Mpofu says
Re: DNA and culture — spot on! The challenge is intentionally interrogating possible blindspots with whatever structure or culture… got one Eric.
Samuel says
Yo! yo! What the case is from my side of the land of which i think stunts healthy development as well is the saying “you can only volunteer if you meet a certain or set requirements,other than that qualification to volunteer cannot be awarded even to sincere skillful people with a hunger to serve.
Blessing Mpofu says
Good point. It is also important to remember that volunteering / serving for people can be a great discipleship tool to help others mature.