I want to pass on a thought, a concept, that I did not realize quite as deeply until I had slowed down long enough in my life to actually "hear" ...here goes... remember, I am the one on a journey...
About 2 years ago I was assisting a pastor (a woman - no name - no city - and this has come up more that once in conversation with ministers) in writing a note that was going to be sent to their congregation. I was taking notes while we spoke. She said, "Barb, write this down, this is what I want to say.... 'Your serving and volunteering in this church is directly related to how much God will bless you in every area of your life.'
Whoops, I thought.... I asked her to repeat that - she did - I asked if I could read it back to her - she said yes - I did - I asked if I wrote it correctly and that was indeed what she meant to say - she was confident, firm - yes, that's it.....
Because I made this vow to myself to be honest when confronted with certain issues - I began, "I am not sure you really want to say that - no? - no - Would you like to know why?" Ummmm ....she was not sure, but did give permission to me to share............. OK, here goes...........
1. If that is a true statement, how much do I have to volunteer to be blessed by God?
2. If it is the nursery, is it one time a week, two times.... every Sunday AM or can I be a little blessed with one Sunday service or totally, over the top blessed if it is 3 services a week?
3. Or, can I be super abundantly blessed if it is every service of every week of every month, PLUS any special meetings at the church that needs nursery?
4. Will volunteering more increase my chance to get healed? Be blessed financially? I mean if this statement is from God and is scriptural, then it would be unfair to not know exactly what is required to be blessed in direct proportion to how much I volunteer.
5. What if I have a child who is sick? A parent who is bed ridden? ...or I have to work 3 jobs to keep food on the table and I just don't have time to volunteer because I am doing all I can to keep my sanity and provide for my family? Or would you say that if my faith were working properly, I would not have these issues in my life? I am glad the nail scars are not on your body.
Or, could the bottom line be that if I don't volunteer, pastor, YOU might treat me differently? You might judge me as not being supportive of the church because I don't volunteer, or I don't volunteer enough.
Now, don't get me wrong. I have pastored with my husband. I understand volunteering. But whether a person volunteers in the church or not, should not affect how they are treated by anyone. It is good to volunteer because you love people and love God and just want to serve - and yes, you can grow, make great friends, and feel like you are making a difference - but I would never tell you that God will love you anymore or bless you anymore because of it. And...... if for some reason you break your leg and can't volunteer anymore - you are just as valuable to God and the Body of Christ - I don't think you should be treated any different just because now you can not volunteer.
So the question is on 2 levels -
Ministers - do we tend to judge and treat people based on their performance in the church? Do we tend to gravitate and notice those we think can offer the church the most talent, time and ability? Oh, and money?
Volunteers - are we volunteering because we just love God and want to serve Him and serve people? Or are we hoping it will gain us recognition from leadership and we can stay in their good graces? And are we making sure that as we volunteer and love the church people, we are doing the same at home and taking care of our families and not neglecting them? Are we putting our families first and not the church?
I trust you hear my heart.... and this is just a random issue.... if you have a particular issue bothering you, email me we will discuss it - perhaps you can share perspective with me that will help me also.
About 2 years ago I was assisting a pastor (a woman - no name - no city - and this has come up more that once in conversation with ministers) in writing a note that was going to be sent to their congregation. I was taking notes while we spoke. She said, "Barb, write this down, this is what I want to say.... 'Your serving and volunteering in this church is directly related to how much God will bless you in every area of your life.'
Whoops, I thought.... I asked her to repeat that - she did - I asked if I could read it back to her - she said yes - I did - I asked if I wrote it correctly and that was indeed what she meant to say - she was confident, firm - yes, that's it.....
Because I made this vow to myself to be honest when confronted with certain issues - I began, "I am not sure you really want to say that - no? - no - Would you like to know why?" Ummmm ....she was not sure, but did give permission to me to share............. OK, here goes...........
1. If that is a true statement, how much do I have to volunteer to be blessed by God?
2. If it is the nursery, is it one time a week, two times.... every Sunday AM or can I be a little blessed with one Sunday service or totally, over the top blessed if it is 3 services a week?
3. Or, can I be super abundantly blessed if it is every service of every week of every month, PLUS any special meetings at the church that needs nursery?
4. Will volunteering more increase my chance to get healed? Be blessed financially? I mean if this statement is from God and is scriptural, then it would be unfair to not know exactly what is required to be blessed in direct proportion to how much I volunteer.
5. What if I have a child who is sick? A parent who is bed ridden? ...or I have to work 3 jobs to keep food on the table and I just don't have time to volunteer because I am doing all I can to keep my sanity and provide for my family? Or would you say that if my faith were working properly, I would not have these issues in my life? I am glad the nail scars are not on your body.
Or, could the bottom line be that if I don't volunteer, pastor, YOU might treat me differently? You might judge me as not being supportive of the church because I don't volunteer, or I don't volunteer enough.
Now, don't get me wrong. I have pastored with my husband. I understand volunteering. But whether a person volunteers in the church or not, should not affect how they are treated by anyone. It is good to volunteer because you love people and love God and just want to serve - and yes, you can grow, make great friends, and feel like you are making a difference - but I would never tell you that God will love you anymore or bless you anymore because of it. And...... if for some reason you break your leg and can't volunteer anymore - you are just as valuable to God and the Body of Christ - I don't think you should be treated any different just because now you can not volunteer.
So the question is on 2 levels -
Ministers - do we tend to judge and treat people based on their performance in the church? Do we tend to gravitate and notice those we think can offer the church the most talent, time and ability? Oh, and money?
Volunteers - are we volunteering because we just love God and want to serve Him and serve people? Or are we hoping it will gain us recognition from leadership and we can stay in their good graces? And are we making sure that as we volunteer and love the church people, we are doing the same at home and taking care of our families and not neglecting them? Are we putting our families first and not the church?
I trust you hear my heart.... and this is just a random issue.... if you have a particular issue bothering you, email me we will discuss it - perhaps you can share perspective with me that will help me also.
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