A Profile Of Two Volunteers Who Probably Serve At Your Church

Tomorrow I will be leading a workshop on church volunteerism.  As part of the class, we will compare and contrast the two following volunteers.  As you read the profiles, see if they describe you or someone in your church.

Bob

• Bob wants to do a great work for God.
• He loves God, has lots of passion, and this causes him to periodically be fun but reckless.
• He has led two small groups and a men’s Bible study.  Bob also serves the poor.
• Bob recently got married.  Works a full-time job and has no children.
• He enjoys learning but knows very little about the Bible.
• Bob is an encourager to the staff, loves people but views them as commodities – a means to an end.
• He has a tight schedule and does all his studying on Saturday morning.
• Due to his schedule, he has little time for in-depth prayer and Bible study.
• His presentations have more flash than substance.
• However, he is so talented and his classes have had such rapid growth that he was promoted to serve on two church staffs. 
• As a bi-vocational employee, he burnt out in both positions.
• He has now retreated from people.

Let’s contrast Bob with Sarah:

• Sarah wanted God to do a great work in her.
• She loved God, has a passion for family and church, and is very targeted at what she chooses to invest her time in.
• Sarah serves on what is viewed as a secondary role at church but assists the staff and leaders in discussions on key topics.
• She is married with a child and works about 50 hours per week.
• Sarah enjoys learning, has moderate Bible knowledge, and lives outside her comfort zone.
• She views the staff as a peer in ministry.
• Though her schedule is full, she is thoroughly prepared for her assignments at church and does them with excellence.
• She gives God her absolute best and deeply desires to be respected by her family.
• Sarah is improving in her Bible study and prayer life.  She hungers for God.
• Because she constantly strives for excellence, the staff often merely tolerates her.
• She is very tired and desires close friendships.

Pastors and church leaders, do these profiles describe anyone you know?  How would you use these two? 

Whose service do you feel is more pleasing to God?  Which will have more eternal value?  Whose life honored God more?

To get future posts on leadership sent directly to you, please take advantage of the many subscription options on this site.