What You Should Know About Volunteering At Your Church

Volunteers are an essential part of all church congregations, and the need for them won’t be going away anytime soon. People’s lives have seemed to get busier, but God and His church are always in need of people who can provide their time to do ministry.

Being a member or attendee of a church is a wonderful experience. You get to grow in a community that loves you almost as much as God loves you. Plus, it offers you a chance to grow deeper in your faith and relationship with Jesus.

Volunteering is a great way to minister to others and do what God has called you to do. 1 Peter 4:1-11 tells you all about what it means to live for God. Christ came to serve, and Christians are to follow that call and help others and make disciples.

When you volunteer, you’re using the gifts that God has blessed you with. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Although you want to follow this command, if you’ve never volunteered at church or are new to a church, you may not know what’s involved in the volunteer program.

Here’s what you should know about volunteering at your church so you can be prepared to take the leap of faith and use your gifts to glorify God and serve your community.

You Should Understand the Purpose and Mission of the Church

As a volunteer, you should understand the purpose and mission of the church you attend. Know why it exists and what it’s trying to accomplish. Many churches will have a similar mission, like to lead others to grow with Christ, to make more disciples and to help others love one another as God loves them.

Those are big-picture items, and they follow what Christ has taught, as stated in John 13:12-14, where Jesus reminds you to serve others as He has served you. However, your church may have a more particular mission, depending on the season or current needs. Perhaps it’s to reach out to the community youth or to develop a new outreach program.

You Need to Pray Through the Volunteer Opportunity

Prayer is one of the most important things you can do when considering a volunteer opportunity. Maybe there’s an upcoming mission trip or a building project for the church. These are great opportunities to get involved and to meet new people in your church. Although your church may present you with a myriad of exciting options, and although you may want to volunteer for all of them, it’s imperative that you pray about them.

Is God calling you to those? Can you use your gifts in that opportunity? Will you be able to glorify God through it, or will it be a distraction? These are all things to pray about and consider before diving into a volunteer opportunity. Take time every day, whether it’s in your morning routine or before bed, to pray through the volunteer opportunity and ask God for guidance.

You Might Need to Get a Background Check

Depending on what kind of volunteer you are in your church, you may need a background check and clearances. If you want to work with kids, you’ll likely need both of those. This keeps everyone safe and ensures that you are there for the right reasons. Many churches will offer a volunteer clearance and background check session and training to work with children.

You Should Expect to Make Good Use of Your Time

As a volunteer, you willingly give up your time to serve the church in some way. When you show up for a volunteer day that you signed up for, you should expect that the volunteer group leader will make good use of your time. You’ll be productive and busy and are expected to give your time and gifts wisely.

If it’s your first time volunteering, you may need to be trained depending on where you are serving. Some volunteer opportunities may pose a danger or require you to use new tools. Use this time to be the best volunteer you can be. You’re working for the church, and most importantly, you’re working for the Lord. Be willing to learn what needs to be done and work heartily for the Lord, as Colossians 3:23 says.

You Are Part of a Group Effort

Finally, you should know that you are part of a group effort. Unfortunately, some Christians decide to volunteer for the wrong reasons. They want to put on a facade that they’re doing good work and maybe even volunteer for bragging rights or acknowledgment. However, when you volunteer, you’re part of a team of people serving the Lord and acting as Jesus’ hands and feet to reach others and hopefully be a light to others.