Volunteer?

[California Dreamin']

I was just wondering how many of us volunteer, in church or in the community. I am currently reading "The Volunteer Revolution" by Bill Hybels (it's a good book, and very small).

I have been involved with St. John Ambulance volunteer medical response since September 2005.

I took training to volunteer at a pregnancy centre-a Christian outreach ministry-but I was there once to volunteer in April 2006 and I haven't been there since?!?! They don't seem interested?

I was a volunteer firefighter but it was an older group and I was voted out "without explanation".

At my church, I do the Media Ministry=powerpoint...

 

[RED that's ME]

I've volunteered in several ministries at my church previously/presently. Our *First Touch* greeter ministry, 2 year old preschool, AWANA children's ministry, Upward children's sports, Master Chiefs (helping in the church kitchen), children's church, teen leadership.

My church encourages everyone to be involved in at least one ministry.

 

[DeaconDean]

In the distant past, I was a volunteer fireman, and a certified EMT.

Up until 2 years ago, I volunteered as Pastorial Care Minister for our church. I visited 4 different hospitals, and various nursing homes to minister to our members and their families as the need arised. I also for a time worked with Hospice as a volunteer Pastor minister for the terminally ill.

With the duties as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday school director, adult Sunday school teacher, Pastorial Care Minister, Hospice, Seminiary school, and working a full time job on third shift, I had to give it all up. I stayed tried all the time. Was getting grumpy, and ill from lack of sleep.

Perhaps in the future I'll return to my duties, but for now, I need some rest.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[mlqurgw]

In the distant past, I was a volunteer fireman, and a certified EMT.

Up until 2 years ago, I volunteered as Pastorial Care Minister for our church. I visited 4 different hospitals, and various nursing homes to minister to our members and their families as the need arised. I also for a time worked with Hospice as a volunteer Pastor minister for the terminally ill.

With the duties as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday school director, adult Sunday scool teacher, Pastorial Care Minister, Hospice, Seminiary school, and working a full time job on third shift, I had to give it all up. I stayed tried all the time. Was getting grumpy, and ill from lack of sleep.

Perhaps in the future I'll return to my duties, but for now, I need some rest.

God Bless

Till all are one.

A man who spreads himself too thin can't really give himself to anything. Get your rest and do what you are able to. God will take care of those things that need doing.

 

[rainbowpromises]

My pastor won't let me volunteer for anything more.

I am the Awana Commander and fully involved with T&T, Trek and Journey. All the Sparks know me as well.
I am the church secretary, but that only involves attending meetings, taking notes and typing them up.
I am there for every clean up day. I am there for every extra church activity.
The pastor and his wife both know that all they need to do is ask and I will be there.

I do my share of bulletin boards, church cleaning, and fellowship. After special activities or dinners, I will do my part of set up and clean up.

Oh and my yearly rest is volunteering to be counselor at Awana Scholarship Camp. Just filled out my form for this year.

 

[JuJube]

I was just wondering how many of us volunteer, in church or in the community. I am currently reading "The Volunteer Revolution" by Bill Hybels (it's a good book, and very small).

I have been involved with St. John Ambulance volunteer medical response since September 2005.

I took training to volunteer at a pregnancy centre-a Christian outreach ministry-but I was there once to volunteer in April 2006 and I haven't been there since?!?! They don't seem interested?

I was a volunteer firefighter but it was an older group and I was voted out "without explanation".

At my church, I do the Media Ministry=powerpoint...

I know no one is posting to say see what I am doing....hopefully it will be an encouragement for some to hop on board if they havent.

Teach Singles and College/Careers SS.
Sing specials at worship
Childrens church (not every Sunday)
Nursing Home ministry every Sunday w/ songs and devotionals
Homeless ministry (Church w/o Walls)
Mexico ministry with Past the Edge (Ceri)will be going down in July YEA!!!!!
Mission/Evang. team
Bapt. Student Minstry team at Bapt. Assoc.
Mentor to struggling women in our church (lunches)
And all the etcs.(work days, cooking, cleaning, decorating...)

also a 40 hr. a week secular job

 

[BereanTodd]

I am a Sunday School teacher and director

I am involved in the missions board of my church, and involved actively in missions projects at home and abroad.

I coach a youth soccer team, and pour myself into the boys lives as much as possible.

In the past I have been involved with various homeless ministries, both running them and volunteering for them.

On top of that I have my other activities - seminary, full time work, husband, father of three. I'm leading a 2 week tour of the Holy Lands this summer, and have to spend time on projects there. Somwhere in there I try to find time for sleep, but it seems to be losing out more and more.

 

[rainbowpromises]

I didn't even consider singing as a service. That is my joyful expression.

 

[psalm511013]

At our church, many of the Sunday morning Bible study classes (formerly known as "Sunday school") are foregoing their traditional classroom experience to volunteer in the nursery, or to teach other studies, to serve as ushers, greeters, etc. They do their study time and fellowship in small groups that meet outside the church during the week.

This has been a real boon to the community feeling within our church. People get to know one another better, people are more more willing to share their trials and tribulations with one another in small groups that are dedicated to that specific group of people every week. As they get to know one another, the troubles that afflict everyone, Christian or not, begin to surface and be shared freely.

If the problems are beyond the group's capability to counsel, the person or couple is referred to me, who volunteers as the director of the church's counseling ministry (don't worry, I'm licensed to do that sorta thing) and we are truly overcoming problems endemic to the Christian walk, such as adultery, drugs and alcohol, pornography, troubled teens (the youth have their own small groups, with an adult leader) and a host of other life issues that most people never share with anyone, Christian or not.

Small groups are a real boon to church life, as they have influenced every aspect of it, including volunteerism in church ministry. I think we have more volunteers available on Sunday morning than any other church I've known, because the small group concept has taken hold and allowed people to realize they can actually do life together more effectively.

 

[California Dreamin']

I am really encouraged and delighted to see that we have such a busy group of volunteers!

 

[JPPT1974]

I try to volunteer at my church
Went last year on my first mission trip to NYC
As we tried to help paint and restore a church
Really it was fun plus it is more rewarding to it
Volunteering rather than get paid to do it.

 

[edie19]

I'm secretary/treasurer at my church. I've taught Sunday School in the past, but that isn't my strength.

When my kids were growing up I helped with boy scouts, computer room at school, after school day care, lunch room, various sports. As far as I'm concerned those things are part of being a parent - one should expect that they're going to volunteer for things.

 

[rainbowpromises]

I'm secretary/treasurer at my church. I've taught Sunday School in the past, but that isn't my strength.

When my kids were growing up I helped with boy scouts, computer room at school, after school day care, lunch room, various sports. As far as I'm concerned those things are part of being a parent - one should expect that they're going to volunteer for things.

I agree!
I have kept it up with my granddaughter. In the last 6 years I have been class driver, snack provider, story lady, lunch monitor and I volunteer my farm for field trips.

 

[DeaconDean]

I just want to interject a small thought in this thread. What we have described as volunteered work, which by the way is a good thing, don't get me wrong, but consider this:

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." -Lk. 17:10

Have we really done anything outstanding? Have we done anything above and beyond what the Savior did during His ministry here?

No! We have after all: "...have done all those things which are commanded you," and being as such, we are in reality: "unprofitable servants." Because when all is said and done, when we stand before the Lord, all: "we have done that which was our duty to do."

Let us consider this.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[psalm511013]

I just want to interject a small thought in this thread. What we have described as volunteered work, which by the way is a good thing, don't get me wrong, but consider this:

At least you said it is "good"

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." -Lk. 17:10 ... Have we really done anything outstanding? Have we done anything above and beyond what the Savior did during His ministry here? ... No! We have after all: "...have done all those things which are commanded you," and being as such, we are in reality: "unprofitable servants." Because when all is said and done, when we stand before the Lord, all: "we have done that which was our duty to do."

You have completely misinterpreted Jesus' purpose in this teaching. You place a very heavy weight on doing what is "commanded" us, as though it is somehow required of us for relationship with Him. Nothing could be further from the truth! Nothing we ever do is of a pure and contrite heart. It will always be tainted by our imperfections. We fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23), we do not serve Him sincerely, cheerfully or faithfully as we ought, we are very far off from His example and if we receive reward in heaven, it is because of His grace (unmerited favor) and not because we "do what is commanded" of us. He owes us nothing! Yet He gives us everything! Our service, imperfect as we are, is out of our love for Him, not because it "earns" us anything. Even the rewards we lay up in heaven through these good works are still given by His grace, and they are not "wages" for the work done in the trenches for furtherance of the gospel, or of His kingdom. Never are they given because we volunteer in the nursery, or as a greeter, but because He loves us.

Can we all get that through our heads?

 

[rainbowpromises]

Ever notice how a child will volunteer to wash the dishes? Volunteer to sweep the floor? Volunteer to wash the windows? Even though you know they are too little to do any kind of a good job at it.

But then they get to an age where they are quite capable and it becomes a duty. The joy is gone and you have to fight with them ever step of the way.

No! The things I do are volunteer jobs. I take great joy from them.

 

[DeaconDean]

At least you said it is "good"You have completely misinterpreted Jesus' purpose in this teaching. You place a very heavy weight on doing what is "commanded" us, as though it is somehow required of us for relationship with Him. Nothing could be further from the truth! Nothing we ever do is of a pure and contrite heart. It will always be tainted by our imperfections. We fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23), we do not serve Him sincerely, cheerfully or faithfully as we ought, we are very far off from His example and if we receive reward in heaven, it is because of His grace (unmerited favor) and not because we "do what is commanded" of us. He owes us nothing! Yet He gives us everything! Our service, imperfect as we are, is out of our love for Him, not because it "earns" us anything. Even the rewards we lay up in heaven through these good works are still given by His grace, and they are not "wages" for the work done in the trenches for furtherance of the gospel, or of His kingdom. Never are they given because we volunteer in the nursery, or as a greeter, but because He loves us.

Can we all get that through our heads?

Brother, I'm truly sorry for you.

You place a very heavy weight on doing what is "commanded" us, as though it is somehow required of us for relationship with Him.

How dare you. I never said any sort of thing. If anything, I'm probably one of the biggest proponents of soveriegn grace. It was God who reached down to us, not us reaching up to Him.

You know, your just not worth the arguing with brother.

I'm just gonna say God Bless you in your convictions.

And thank God yours aren't mine.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Cright]

I served a year in the 2nd grade classroom... and ummm.. that was tuff for me. Now DH and I serve together on the "tech team" running the cameras... next I want to train for switcher (the person who tells the camera people what shot to take and switches the recording from camera to camera). DH also works on the website. I will sometimes go in and run off copies of things, use the paper folder, refill info racks etc...

We will work nursury for "special" occasions sometimes still.

On a more personal level I'll cook meals for people who have newborns, babysit for people in the church that don't have any family around, or are sick etc...

 

[dersag]

I volunteer in the emergency department at the local hospital. I never knew that transporting blood and urine to the lab could make me feel so good.

 

[spiersdodgerblue]

I am blessed to be of sound mind and body and almost always willing heart to serve my Lord. I am thankful for this.

I serve my husbend and kids.

I am a Deacons wife.
The midweek director for our youth.
Choir member.
Work the kitchen every 5th week for our Wed. dinners.
A Celebrate Recovery leader.....in our church.
A money counter for our church.
A Mission Team leader in our church.....going to Tanzania in July for 2 weeks.. soooo excited.
And I quess we can rest in heaven....LOL