5 Reasons I Still Volunteer At Church After 27 Years

5 Reasons I Still Volunteer At Church After 27 Years

Nowhere in the Bible does God call a leader to an easy task.  After serving in local churches for 27 years, sometimes as staff and mostly as a volunteer, I have found this truth to be self-evident.
Serving at local churches has often been frustrating and challenging.  I have made numerous mistakes and said several things I wish I could take back.  Many nights I have come home to my wife, put my head in my hands and express regret over my actions or the actions of others.
But I have never consider quitting.  I have considered a different assignment but never completely quitting.
The church has always reminded me of Noah’s Ark.  With all the animals inside it must have smelled real bad.  But it sure beat what is on the outside.  Regardless of how bad a situation may become, there is nothing better than the local church.  It is what Jesus died for.  Someone reading this post needs to be reminded of that.
The following are 5 Reasons I Still Volunteer At My Church After 27 Years:

1. In my current volunteer role my teammates and I have the ability to change the world every time we convene.
2. As a person who weekly prays with hurting and frightened people, God can always use me to change someone’s world.
3. Relationships – Without accomplishment or the advancement of mission and vision, Board meetings turn into Bored meetings.  However, the most lasting relationships I have is with those I have worked with on church leadership teams.  There is a relational equity built through the crucible of shared experiences, praying together, laughing together, crying together and fighting hell together which creates a lifelong bond.
4. One-On-Ones With Pastors – When I think back on my experience as a volunteer leader, the best parts were breakfasts, lunches and one-on-ones with leaders like Mark Marshall, Ike Reighard and Mike Linch.  I think back to books they told me to read, gave me insights on why things were working at the church, why things were not, where things were heading, how they saw God working in my life and the difference I could make which marked my personal development as a leader.  The best part of being a volunteer was my time with those gentlemen.
5. I love Jesus Christ.  It is still an honor to serve him and am so thankful God did not call me to a lesser task.

How long have you been serving at your church and why do you still continue doing it?