Before I begin posting the top four weakest areas of volunteerism in the church, it is important to recognize that this is not necessarily the same for every church. An area listed on this post may be the strongest area in your church and what is strong in your church may not be somewhere else. With that being clear, here are the top four weakest areas of volunteerism in the church, according to me....
4) Teachers/Small Group Leaders: Regardless of whether it is the need for people to rock and change babies in the nursery, the need for children's classroom teachers, youth group leaders or adult Sunday school class and small group leaders the chase is always on to recruit more of these people. So much so, that many times churches are willing to adopt the "if they say they are a Christian, put them in there" mentality.
It's really no surprise to me that we react that way sometimes. In the words of Sophia Petrillo, picture it.... a concerned department leader comes into the pastor's office and says, "Pastor, we need some teachers. We are overrun with (insert age group here) and we don't have enough teachers to teach them!" If we are not careful, panic sets in and we start fishing for people to teach. This can be one of the most detrimental choices we make, if we don't vet and truly know who (and what they believe) we are putting into these classrooms. That being said, the need is still great and more than likely it isn't because God has not sent teachers into his churches. It is because those called to teach are not answering the call.
3) Events/Outreach: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) instructs us to "go and make disciples" and one of the proven ways to evangelize is through event evangelism. Whether it's a Vacation Bible School, Revival, Movie Under the Stars, etc what is important is that it is fully staffed with volunteers. People need to be on hand to plan the event, run the equipment, assist guests, lead discussion, act as counselors when people have questions about making a decision to follow Christ, set up and break down and the list goes on and on. If the planning team has done their part, they will know how many people are needed and where they are needed long before the day of the event. Beyond that, "the best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry" and this is guaranteed if God's people don't answer the call to volunteer and support the mission work that this event is designed to accomplish.
2) Prayer Team Members: Sadly enough, it seems that the weekly "prayer meeting" that many older generations were accustomed to as a regular part of their week has gone away. It hasn't gone away because of some young pastor who decided to kill it (although I am sure that has happened in some churches). It has gone away, or is on life-support, because corporate prayer is not an important part of the believer's life anymore. In fact, the discipline of prayer takes a backseat in many Christians lives, especially young and new Christians. When do you pray? When someone asks? When trouble is lurking? What about the constant state of prayer, daily and when things are going well? Unfortunately, because prayer life has dwindled, people don't see it as important to gather with other believers and pray. Yet, not one major thing took place in the Bible without prayer first. This is probably a heart issue more than anything, but it is a weak place in the church and must be strengthened.
1) Disciple Makers: The Great Commission, mentioned earlier, instructs us to make disciples. After baptism, we are to teach them to obey Christ's commands. The first century church did this well and had small groups meeting in homes. I don't have a problem with churches meeting together for "bigger" corporate worship, but if that is all they are doing, they are doing things wrong. Whether you call them small groups, life groups, community groups or whatever, people need to gather in these smaller groups to pray, study and fellowship. But that isn't enough either! Every believer should be taking a younger believer under their wing and teaching them. It can be done over a weekly breakfast or lunch. It can be done monthly, if need be, at someone's home or switch up the location from time to time. What is important is that we take time to disciple other people. The mistake is that people figure the pastor/staff will handle this on Sunday. Your pastor/staff have their responsibilities in this area, but couldn't possibly disciple everyone. It takes believers (disciples) making other disciples, who in turn, make other disciples. Who are you spending time with in discipleship?
I am sure you can add more to this list and would love to hear from you! Post your thoughts below and add to the list of weak areas of volunteerism in the church! Now......off to the river.
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