Having completed 2 large outreach events recently I have really pondered what it looks like to get involved in the church. There was so much to be done and 1 event was new to the church altogether so lots of uncertainties I'm sure by the congregation. Soooooo, a question posed by my pastor to our leadership team recently: "what does church involvement look like?"
I broke this down from 3 different views of course for an outreach perspective because that's my area. I viewed from the general church goer, leadership, and (hang on to your hats I haven't forgotten the most important one) Jesus!
Let us begin with Jesus, there are many many supporting scriptures on this but check out Galatians 6:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Colossians 3:23-24, they all touch on using our gifts for His kingdom, hard work, God supplies our strength in serving, etc. So one MUST ask, why would I not jump when God's church needs me? Why would I not use gifts I know I have? If I know God supplies my strength then why do I think I can't endure?
Visit www.vanderbloemen.com on How to Recruit Volunteers. In interviews by members of Willow Creek Community Church their greatest concern was fear. Within that fear were these questions: What if I can't do the job?, What if I don't like it once I get started and I'm stuck doing this role for a long time?, and bigger yet.....What if there is no graceful way out? These are real fears from the general congregation as to why people don't volunteer. When volunteering people are pretty much looking for 3 things: a significant contribution, a circle of friends, and fun! I'll get back to this....
From the leadership side of things we look at all the tasks at hand which feel overwhelming and daunting. But we step OUT in faith knowing our brothers and sisters in Christ will step UP (simple as that, everyone's on board, we're all for the same purpose) right???? "If we build it they will come" - Field of Dreams. Right? Hello?????
Let's go back to Jesus (after all, He IS the alpha and the omega) and it's ALL about Jesus! If we are a follower of Christ and the Holy Spirit is in us then 2 Timothy 1:7 covers all basis. "For God gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of self control." This is in all things my friends, fear of serving is non-existent, we have power in love so we serve, and my personal favorite self control, meaning we don't freak out because God is in us, we step out because God is in us, we serve because God is in us.
So, let's get back to the 3 things people look for in serving. If you want significant contribution, a circle of friends, and fun? Then follow what Jesus has called us all to do in His word and SERVE YOUR CHURCH, SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY, SERVE JESUS!!!!
I broke this down from 3 different views of course for an outreach perspective because that's my area. I viewed from the general church goer, leadership, and (hang on to your hats I haven't forgotten the most important one) Jesus!
Let us begin with Jesus, there are many many supporting scriptures on this but check out Galatians 6:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Colossians 3:23-24, they all touch on using our gifts for His kingdom, hard work, God supplies our strength in serving, etc. So one MUST ask, why would I not jump when God's church needs me? Why would I not use gifts I know I have? If I know God supplies my strength then why do I think I can't endure?
Visit www.vanderbloemen.com on How to Recruit Volunteers. In interviews by members of Willow Creek Community Church their greatest concern was fear. Within that fear were these questions: What if I can't do the job?, What if I don't like it once I get started and I'm stuck doing this role for a long time?, and bigger yet.....What if there is no graceful way out? These are real fears from the general congregation as to why people don't volunteer. When volunteering people are pretty much looking for 3 things: a significant contribution, a circle of friends, and fun! I'll get back to this....
From the leadership side of things we look at all the tasks at hand which feel overwhelming and daunting. But we step OUT in faith knowing our brothers and sisters in Christ will step UP (simple as that, everyone's on board, we're all for the same purpose) right???? "If we build it they will come" - Field of Dreams. Right? Hello?????
Let's go back to Jesus (after all, He IS the alpha and the omega) and it's ALL about Jesus! If we are a follower of Christ and the Holy Spirit is in us then 2 Timothy 1:7 covers all basis. "For God gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of self control." This is in all things my friends, fear of serving is non-existent, we have power in love so we serve, and my personal favorite self control, meaning we don't freak out because God is in us, we step out because God is in us, we serve because God is in us.
So, let's get back to the 3 things people look for in serving. If you want significant contribution, a circle of friends, and fun? Then follow what Jesus has called us all to do in His word and SERVE YOUR CHURCH, SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY, SERVE JESUS!!!!
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