A non-profit organization--whether church, ministry or community service--is a living being. Honest, intelligent leadership is the brain. The administrative support staff who bring organization and structure are the skeleton and muscles. But the volunteers are the life-blood. Without volunteers giving their time to serve, the organization--church--ministry--will be unhealthy, weak and eventually die. You can have a strong, beautiful, perfect body; but when the blood ceases to pump and the heart ceases to beat that perfect body will die and decay.
Sadly, we are becoming a society that says "what's in it for me?" instead of "how may I help?" We are becoming a society that fears commitment because we might not be able to do what we want, when we want to do it. We don't want to be tied down, because something--or someone--better might turn up!
My parents' lives modeled service. They certainly weren't in ministry for money, fame or popularity. Volunteering is "tithing" your time and energy. The benefits of serving are truly priceless!
Given all my years of serving and working with volunteers, I would like to share with you the characteristics of a GREAT volunteer:
1. A great volunteer weighs the pros and cons of volunteering and only commits when they know they can do what is needed.
2. A great volunteer, once committed, treats that commitment like a part time job and does not cancel any easier than they would call in sick at work.
3. A great volunteer understands how valuable they are. They know that people are depending on them and would never NOT show up because "it's JUST volunteering".
4. A great volunteer says "what do you need me to do?" and then does that job to the very best of their ability.
5. A great volunteer has a humble spirit and servant's heart. They understand that they are being Jesus' hands.
6. A great volunteer knows they are working for God and their rewards come from Him.
7. A great volunteer understands that serving is never convenient and that is part of their sacrifice of service.
8. A great volunteer "represents" the organization where they serve and they represent with excellence.
9. A great volunteer speaks well of the organization where they serve and encourages others to join them in volunteering.
10. A great volunteer truly understands "It's not about me" and neither looks for praise nor gifts.
I have known some absolutely GREAT volunteers! God bless them! Often the greatest volunteers you will never notice. They are in the background, just doing what needs to be done to keep things running smoothly. They are the unsung heroes. They don't get the spotlight or the applause, but God sees and the GREATEST rewards are from Him. I will take His rewards over man's rewards any day of the week.
Let's be totally honest... Are you are great volunteer? If so, thank you! You are the life-blood of your ministry/church/organization. If you are not a great volunteer, I encourage you to become one.
Find where your gifts fit--COMMIT--and follow through. A servant's heart isn't born, it is cultivated.
Be a blessing today!~~Arlene
Sadly, we are becoming a society that says "what's in it for me?" instead of "how may I help?" We are becoming a society that fears commitment because we might not be able to do what we want, when we want to do it. We don't want to be tied down, because something--or someone--better might turn up!
My parents' lives modeled service. They certainly weren't in ministry for money, fame or popularity. Volunteering is "tithing" your time and energy. The benefits of serving are truly priceless!
Given all my years of serving and working with volunteers, I would like to share with you the characteristics of a GREAT volunteer:
1. A great volunteer weighs the pros and cons of volunteering and only commits when they know they can do what is needed.
2. A great volunteer, once committed, treats that commitment like a part time job and does not cancel any easier than they would call in sick at work.
3. A great volunteer understands how valuable they are. They know that people are depending on them and would never NOT show up because "it's JUST volunteering".
4. A great volunteer says "what do you need me to do?" and then does that job to the very best of their ability.
5. A great volunteer has a humble spirit and servant's heart. They understand that they are being Jesus' hands.
6. A great volunteer knows they are working for God and their rewards come from Him.
7. A great volunteer understands that serving is never convenient and that is part of their sacrifice of service.
8. A great volunteer "represents" the organization where they serve and they represent with excellence.
9. A great volunteer speaks well of the organization where they serve and encourages others to join them in volunteering.
10. A great volunteer truly understands "It's not about me" and neither looks for praise nor gifts.
I have known some absolutely GREAT volunteers! God bless them! Often the greatest volunteers you will never notice. They are in the background, just doing what needs to be done to keep things running smoothly. They are the unsung heroes. They don't get the spotlight or the applause, but God sees and the GREATEST rewards are from Him. I will take His rewards over man's rewards any day of the week.
Let's be totally honest... Are you are great volunteer? If so, thank you! You are the life-blood of your ministry/church/organization. If you are not a great volunteer, I encourage you to become one.
Find where your gifts fit--COMMIT--and follow through. A servant's heart isn't born, it is cultivated.
Be a blessing today!~~Arlene
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