Churches are some of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. Without volunteers, ministry doesn’t get done.
Yet, every church and ministry often struggles with having both the number of volunteers they need as well as the level of commitment from the volunteers they have.
Imagine with me, what if every volunteer in your ministry was a ‘perfect volunteer’?
Well, we know that there’s no such thing as a perfect volunteer. That is, of course, unless Jesus Himself were to walk through the doors of your church to serve.
So… what if this week in your church, Jesus did, in fact, walk in to serve as a volunteer in your ministry? What would that look like?
Well, imagine with me for a moment…
1. He would have spent sufficient time with the Father prior to showing up for ministry to make sure His spirit was right, His motives were pure, and His #1 goal was to please the Father.
John 8:29 And he that hath sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
2. He would be committed and dependable in His area of ministry. He would take His ministry as seriously as if He were going to give an answer to God for it.
John 5:36 The works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
3. He would be passionate, going above and beyond what was expected, reaching for what was exceptional and remarkable. He would be trusted to get a job done and to get it done right.
John 17:4 I have glorified thee on earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
4. He would “own it.” He would show possession for whatever responsibilities were given to Him, and would seek to excel in the use of His talents and abilities to make that ministry better.
John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost…
5. He would take ministry as seriously as any other job. He would show up on time, every time, to be faithfully in His place.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.
6. He would be invested. To Jesus, it wouldn’t be just about filling a time slot or appeasing a person until the next time. It would be about making a real, eternal difference by giving it all He’s got.
John 6:39 And this is the Father’s will that hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
7. He would have an obvious passion, an infectious smile, and a warm and gracious spirit with all those He interacted with.
Mark 10:13&16 And they brought young children to him… and he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
8. He would submit to and support the church leadership and their vision for moving the church forward, even when He might have personally chosen to do things somewhat differently. He would align to the vision, adopting it as His own, and owning His piece of that vision.
John 8:28 When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
9. He would motivate and encourage those who serve alongside of Him by His positive attitude and team spirit.
John 13:14-15 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye ought also to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example…
10. He would be flexible when changes and adjustments were required, willing to change His plans as necessary in order to make ministry happen effectively.
Luke 22:42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
11. He would serve, not for the praise of men, but for the glory of God. He would realize that no ministry is too big or too small to serve in. Regardless of what responsibility He was given, He would understand that it mattered, whether done in public or in private, whether done to help the saved or the lost, whether He was recognized for it, or seldom noticed.
John 13:31 Therefore when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
12. He would guard His testimony as a believer, understanding that He is a walking Bible, and a reflection of Christ and His Church to the world, either for good or bad. He would protect the testimony of Christ and the Church through His words, His actions, and His conduct (both online and offline).
John 14:9 He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.
13. He would understand that His commitments to ministry take priority over his desire to be comfortable, entertained, or never having to be inconvenienced.
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
As a Christian, our job is to continually be conforming to the image of Christ. This would include our service to the Lord as a ministry volunteer.
If you are a ministry volunteer in any area, while we may never attain the status of “volunteer perfection”, let’s make it our goal to try!
Because if the church were filled with lots of Jesus’s for volunteers, the church would be an even better and more effective place at making a difference and reaching the world.
Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
