What happened to volunteerism in church?
Mark 12:38-40
Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz
Mark 12:38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”
After reading this narrative, the thought that came to mind is about people who come to church and do things that make them look good. I have known people who do tasks for the church and demand colossal praise. When they do not get their recognition, they start a movement to eliminate the pastor or church leaders who are not pouring public praise on them. Yeshua said in this narrative that what is done for the LORD is done for the LORD and not to impress people.
I served as the pastor of a church where one married couple did quite a bit for the church. They said, “We love Jesus Christ so much that we would do anything for Him.” It only took about one month for the first underground complaint to come to me. That complaint was that I was not thanking this couple every Sunday for all their work for the church. I thought one worked for the Church of Jesus Christ because they loved Jesus for dying for their sins. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said that we show Jesus our appreciation for His sacrifice on the cross for our salvation by doing tasks for Him.
Every church I served had a group, usually small, of people who wanted to be recognized for everything they did. A note in the church’s monthly newsletter was not adequate. It had to be a pastor’s recognition during Sunday worship celebrations. I always found it interesting that these people who expected the recognition told me that they did not want the credit. So, I did not give them praise. Then the complaints came in.
I needed some sewing work done for a church I served. The church had a quilters group of four ladies. One day I asked if any one of them could sew together two large pieces of material. That large piece was to cover up a portable basketball hoop in the recreation hall. One of the ladies said, “yes.” I gave her the materials, and about one week later, she returned them. I thanked her for the work. A few days later, another lady from the quilters’ group came to me and told me that their group was upset. I asked, “What are you upset about?” The answer was that I did not give money to the lady who sewed the two pieces of material. I was surprised. I did not offer money for the job. I asked for a volunteer to do something for Christ’s Church. That was not good enough, and I was told by the Chairperson of the Administrative Board that I had to give her $100 for her work. She did not do something for Christ. She did it for money. So very sad.
Who remembers when the church secretary, treasurer, and janitor were not paid. It was so long ago that most people in the church cannot imagine such a time. Why can the church not find volunteers for Christ? The pastor has to be paid because the church expects the pastor to be available 168 hours a week. A full-time pastor cannot work any other job. Therefore, the community has to financially support the pastor.
How do we go about recreating volunteerism in the church? I am not saying that there are not any volunteers in the church. In the larger churches, some people will come forward to do the tasks of the church. Small to medium-sized churches are having trouble getting jobs done. People are not as willing to give their time to Christ as people did in the past.
I wish there was an easy answer. After twenty-four years in pastoral ministry, I have never found a solution. I have preached on this topic about tithing time to Christ. There are 168 hours every week. Take away 8 hours per day for sleep. That leaves 112 hours per week. A tithe of that time is 11.2 hours per week.
Ask yourself if you give 11.2 hours per week to Christ. If not, it is time to ask your pastor how to increase your time giving. There are plenty of things that can be done. Now, are you willing to give your time and energy to serve Jesus Christ in appreciation for His willingness to die for your salvation? It is time to start today.
