Opportunity of a lifetime.....

Each week I have the pleasure of speaking with churches all around the country. One of the consistent questions I am asked is “how do get volunteers to show up on time”. If you’ve every worked with people you realize that question translates across all spectrums. When I ask, “what are you doing to address the issue” I hear a wide array of answers. Things like “the volunteers that show up on time get donuts and the late ones have to watch” or “the ones that are on time have their names put in a raffle to win a prize.”

There’s a fundamental flaw in that perspective. Churches are notorious for communicating a need based message. “We need volunteers so will you help me fill the need.” Many times it’s almost a desperate plea of “please help me because if you don’t people will go to Hell and this thing will fall apart.” It’s a scarcity mentality that is coming from the wrong perspective.

Jesus Christ died on the cross for His church. It was his redemptive plan for the earth and there isn’t a plan “B” or a plan “C”. He did not die for a business, industry or para-church organization. He died for His church, His righteous bride and He made a few promises along the way. Jesus told us that the “gates of Hell would not prevail against His church” and that “He would build His church”. If the reality of scripture shaped our perspectives we’d realize the opportunity we are giving people.

When leaders realize that participating in the local church isn’t a burden for people, but rather it’s an opportunity to be a part of God’s redemptive plan the whole thing changes. When you understand this truth you have a drastically different approach. You now see volunteering as an amazing opportunity to be a part of what Jesus died for, not something that comes after the tee-ball games or something you can fit in around kick-off times.

When we as leaders view what we have as the most important thing on earth, when we see it like we’re allowing someone to get in on the IPO of Microsoft, now we have the right perspective. When a person uses their gifts to advance the gospel and become a part of the transformation process there’s nothing like…it’s a supernatural partnership.

If people sign-up to help with a need, it will wear out over time…when people commit to an opportunity it can last a life-time. It’s a beautiful thing to watch lives transformed because they had an opportunity to be used by God to touch another person. As leaders, let us never be guilty of not giving our people an opportunity to partner with the creator of the universe through the local church.