5 Reasons You Should Join a Volunteer Ministry
You have probably noticed the Serve Wall in the foyer. We have made handouts with information for all of our church's volunteer ministries so you can quite literally have opportunities to serve at your fingertips. I hope if you haven't yet stopped by the wall, you will this Lord's Day, or tonight. If you have not yet formally joined a volunteer ministry, here are some good reasons for doing so that I think you should consider.
The first three reasons I offer here come from Ephesians 4:11-16. Here, Paul teaches us that the pastors/teachers have been given to the church so that they can equip the believers to do ministry, and as a result the church is built up.
1. Join a volunteer ministry to be challenged
Volunteer ministry is challenging in varying ways. And it is supposed to be. When it comes to ministry, even the most faithful ofChristians need "equipping" from their pastors. The implication is that Christians don't automatically know how to do everything. So are you nervous about praying in front of people? Join the prayer team. Don't know how you would have time to make a meal for a family in need? Volunteer for the meals ministry. How else would you expect to get more comfortable with paths of service you never try? While it is ok to pick a ministry that 'fits,' I want you to be willing to serve in a capacity that will stretch you. One of the brothers I am training for teaching Fellowship 101 told me he volunteered for this because he wants to learn how to share the gospel better, and he is not confident in his ability just yet. He gets it - that's the whole point of equipping.
2. Join a volunteer ministry because ministry is for all of us
But what do pastors equip for? They equip members of the body for the work of the ministry. If you have been baptized into a local church, I have good news for you - you have been called into Christian ministry. The pastors are not the only ones doing ministry (though they should do a lot of it) they ought to be bringing Christians alongside them to show them how to do ministry. You would be shocked to meet a pastor who never preached sermons, counseled, or administered the sacraments. Paul is implying we should be just as shocked to find members who are not engaging in ministry.
3. Join a volunteer ministry because you have a responsibility to build up others
Ephesians 4 tells us that as pastors equip, and as members serve, the church is built up into maturity. If we look at the following verses we discover this maturity especially means to grow up into Christlikeness and be less likely to fall for false doctrines and worldly ideas that would distract us from the faith. As I was meditating on this passage today, I was shocked all over again at how high the stakes are in the apostle's mind. Paul is not casually casting a vision for an every-member-serving church so that people will be excited, or because it will give everyone something to do. No. It is so much more important than that. You should volunteer at FBC because when we serve each other in the church we have a greater likelihood of growing up in Christ and not falling for the lies of the evil one. Do you want to protect other members in the church spiritually? Do you want to contribute to families being strong, contribute to Christians not buying into the latest philosophical fad, contribute to believers being mature in Jesus Christ? Then serve them by volunteering.
4. Join a volunteer ministry because you can meet people by serving alongside them
If you have been a member here for some time and still feel lonely, it could be because you haven't found a place of service yet. I know that has the potential to sound manipulative, but I am quite serious. Some of the sweetest, oldest friendships I have seen in churches have been among people who volunteered side by side for years, even decades. Serving the body is an incredible way to know others in the body.
5. Join a volunteer ministry because giving is better than receiving
According to Paul Jesus says so in Acts 20:35. The incredible reality of volunteering in a local church that has blessed your life is that you then open up yourself to be a conduit of that same blessing to others. Did you appreciate the nursery that took care of your kids when you first came? Work in the nursery and give what you have received. Do you enjoy when church members pray for you? Join the prayer team and give what you have received. Did you find the greeters at our church warm and welcoming? Be a greeter and give what you have received. Do you enjoy the music service? Volunteer for the media ministry and give what you have received. Did you appreciate when someone invested in you? Join the discipleship ministry and give what you have received. Being on the receiving end at Fellowship Baptist Church is a wonderful thing. But ask our committed volunteers: giving is even more wonderful.
The first three reasons I offer here come from Ephesians 4:11-16. Here, Paul teaches us that the pastors/teachers have been given to the church so that they can equip the believers to do ministry, and as a result the church is built up.
1. Join a volunteer ministry to be challenged
Volunteer ministry is challenging in varying ways. And it is supposed to be. When it comes to ministry, even the most faithful ofChristians need "equipping" from their pastors. The implication is that Christians don't automatically know how to do everything. So are you nervous about praying in front of people? Join the prayer team. Don't know how you would have time to make a meal for a family in need? Volunteer for the meals ministry. How else would you expect to get more comfortable with paths of service you never try? While it is ok to pick a ministry that 'fits,' I want you to be willing to serve in a capacity that will stretch you. One of the brothers I am training for teaching Fellowship 101 told me he volunteered for this because he wants to learn how to share the gospel better, and he is not confident in his ability just yet. He gets it - that's the whole point of equipping.
2. Join a volunteer ministry because ministry is for all of us
But what do pastors equip for? They equip members of the body for the work of the ministry. If you have been baptized into a local church, I have good news for you - you have been called into Christian ministry. The pastors are not the only ones doing ministry (though they should do a lot of it) they ought to be bringing Christians alongside them to show them how to do ministry. You would be shocked to meet a pastor who never preached sermons, counseled, or administered the sacraments. Paul is implying we should be just as shocked to find members who are not engaging in ministry.
3. Join a volunteer ministry because you have a responsibility to build up others
Ephesians 4 tells us that as pastors equip, and as members serve, the church is built up into maturity. If we look at the following verses we discover this maturity especially means to grow up into Christlikeness and be less likely to fall for false doctrines and worldly ideas that would distract us from the faith. As I was meditating on this passage today, I was shocked all over again at how high the stakes are in the apostle's mind. Paul is not casually casting a vision for an every-member-serving church so that people will be excited, or because it will give everyone something to do. No. It is so much more important than that. You should volunteer at FBC because when we serve each other in the church we have a greater likelihood of growing up in Christ and not falling for the lies of the evil one. Do you want to protect other members in the church spiritually? Do you want to contribute to families being strong, contribute to Christians not buying into the latest philosophical fad, contribute to believers being mature in Jesus Christ? Then serve them by volunteering.
4. Join a volunteer ministry because you can meet people by serving alongside them
If you have been a member here for some time and still feel lonely, it could be because you haven't found a place of service yet. I know that has the potential to sound manipulative, but I am quite serious. Some of the sweetest, oldest friendships I have seen in churches have been among people who volunteered side by side for years, even decades. Serving the body is an incredible way to know others in the body.
5. Join a volunteer ministry because giving is better than receiving
According to Paul Jesus says so in Acts 20:35. The incredible reality of volunteering in a local church that has blessed your life is that you then open up yourself to be a conduit of that same blessing to others. Did you appreciate the nursery that took care of your kids when you first came? Work in the nursery and give what you have received. Do you enjoy when church members pray for you? Join the prayer team and give what you have received. Did you find the greeters at our church warm and welcoming? Be a greeter and give what you have received. Do you enjoy the music service? Volunteer for the media ministry and give what you have received. Did you appreciate when someone invested in you? Join the discipleship ministry and give what you have received. Being on the receiving end at Fellowship Baptist Church is a wonderful thing. But ask our committed volunteers: giving is even more wonderful.
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