Here’s a quote from a great post from Jamie Arpin Ricci:
We all too often view our involvement in missional church community through the lens of volunteerism. In other words, we love the vision and reality of ministry and want to be involved, as long as it fits. We have discipled entire generations of Christians to see missional engagement as a voluntary opportunity they can add to their lives when it works or isn’t too demanding.
(ht Bill Kinnon, who adds some of his own good thoughts)
More and more, I see this becoming a watershed issue for the church. Eventually we’re going to come to the realization that we can’t have our cake and eat it, too. We can’t call people to the safe position of “volunteer” and expect to see the fruit of discipleship. There really are no shortcuts to following Jesus. It’s not something you can do in your spare time when it fits your schedule.
The attitude and mindset with which we approach church makes all the difference. It’s really really difficult to let go of the autonomy and self-determination that come with being a “volunteer.” But embracing a long-term, sacrificial commitment to Jesus, his community, and his mission means dying to autonomy and self-determination. It’s the first step of discipleship.
Instead of thinking of ourselves as “volunteers,” perhaps it’s time to recover the biblical image of the doulos christou, the “bondservant” of Christ, the one who is given over to Christ, disregarding her own will and desires, the one who embodies Jesus’ prayer “Not my will but yours be done.”
And this isn’t just a call to the “super Christians” or those called to “full-time ministry,” but to everyone. Jesus didn’t give separate calls for “volunteers” and “disciples.” He didn’t have a class of followers who just volunteered when it fit their schedules. He just gave one call:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
Jesus sure was annoyingly all-or-nothing like that, wasn’t he?
Thanks for the shout out. I am encouraged that so many people have resonated with the post, as it is a critical dynamic for us to face as the Church. Great addition to the conversation, thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
A very good post and great addition to the conversation on volunteers, Ben.
Great to look over your thoughts Ben. Leadership development, volunteerism & pushing our volunteers are always a challenge with the tension of time & energy for me.
How are things going in the Wayne? Press on man! Alan
Things are good here, Alan. Thanks for the encouragement!
Unfortunately, autonomy is embedded in our cultural thinking. The breakdown of the deference society has led to an emergence of the "singleton." *Personal* relationship with God has become *autonomous* relationship with God. Any kind of long-term commitment is morally suspect (even in marriage). This is probably one of the most challenging discipleship issues to deal with.
I completely agree that it is one of the most challenging discipleship issues! It is so deeply embedded most people don't even realize they are operating as "singletons" (I like that term).
Interesting that you say long-term commitment has become morally suspect. It's as though the morality of our day has become "be true to yourself," and long-term commitments / self-emptying is now thought to be degraded/immoral, a failure to "be true to yourself."
So true. This really hits home when the kids approach adulthood. Grandparents (and extended family), even Christian ones, operate from the "be true to yourself" paradigm and begin to apply pressure on them accordingly. It makes it hard as a parent to guide your adult children into a life of devotion to Christ and service to the world.
I think the bondservant issue is a recognition you grow into. Remember Jesus sort of left equality with God to become a servant to fulfill God’s righteousness. I also see a Both/And dynamic. On one hand Jesus talks about his disciples saying that they are unworthy servants and they have only done their duty. Later he calls them no longer servants but friends. He calls his disciples brothers, but in giving rewards calls them good and faithful servants.