One of the best reasons to serve in church is to be in community!

No matter how large or small your church is, community will always be one of the most needed and longed for part of church. It’s just how we are all made! And yet, community can be the most elusive thing to get a hold of - especially now.

We are isolated in quarantine. And when we do get to see one another, there’s a 6-foot barrier between us which can be super awkward. Many churches are worried if volunteers will come back to serve in the midst of the pandemic.

And to those who do serve, it’s not the same.

It’s not the same environment.
It’s not the same process or procedure.
And it’s not the same without their team mates.

So what now?

Well, let’s go back to the beginning - remember waaaaay back then?
WHY were you asking people to serve in the first place?

Was your call to action just to fill a slot versus serve as a ministry? Well, the slots are different now and they may not even be “open” any longer! In fact, if you were frustrated with the lack of people wanting to volunteer “back then”, is it any surprise that today is any different?

Okay, okay, I hear you!
“Hey Mary Ann, we had amazing volunteers before, but they are now disappearing! It has always been a ministry for us. It’s this crazy Covid-thing that’s ruining so much and this is not our doing/our fault/in our control.”

So let’s focus on 2 things:

How did people agree to serve in the first place?
What are the current circumstances that are out of your control?

Let’s take the first thing: How did people agree to serve in the first place?

If your focus was simply “filling a slot” or thinking of Guest Services or Hospitality as a “throw-away” ministry, then it should be no surprise that “just stand at a door and say “Hello” is not going to cut it.

Vision and heart is needed more than ever.

I had a conversation recently with a volunteer. Her frustration was…after she listed all the other stuff…simply came down to “I don’t have a place, a voice or a community anymore.”

Before covid-19, she Greeted but then was place behind a curtain assembling gift bags - alone. This gal is a people person and she was miserable. But, she didn’t say anything because she believed she couldn’t. Right or wrong, as leaders, it is our responsibility to provide and invite the voices of our volunteers into the conversation. (That will be a whole ‘nuther post!).

And now, with the church not meeting in person, she is even more isolated. Still, she won’t share this with anyone.

I see an opportunity for the church to impact one of their best advocates for church, their best volunteer for gathering others and most importantly…

This is best opportunity to be a ministry FOR and TO her! When we sing and say; “God is FOR YOU!” I believe that God looks at us and say - show it!

What if serving was lived out as a ministry versus in a ministry and every volunteer knew it?!

Even if the number of volunteers is less than your dream number (HELLO GIDEON), remember that it’s God’s responsibility and good pleasure to increase the ministry.

Now the second thing: What are the current circumstances that are out of your control?

Gee willikers! Pretty much everything is out of my control! The sooner we focus on what we can contribute towards or highlight or embrace what we can influence, rather than throw our arms up, the sooner we begin the steps toward one another.

But you need to DO SOMETHING. Okay. Make a list. That’s right. Just a simple list of what you cannot control and I will help get us started:

Decisions about opening or not opening.
Decisions about protocols (masks, numbers, distance)
Who shows up to attend church
Who shows up to serve

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15

Joshua was determined to serve God no matter what anyone else thought and he used his wisdom and love for God to set the example.

Think about it, Joshua was a fighter, a general leading armies, a commander of people, a leader who faced so much out of his control. His statement affirmed the one thing he did have control over. His deliberate choice, his decision to serve God, no matter what.

That’s leadership.
That is what inspires others to follow in the midst of battles and hardships.

When I was on a church staff, and leading a meeting with my volunteer leaders, casting the vision for the next service we were opening, someone asked me: “What if no one volunteers for this? It seems like you are asking a lot!”

I remember thinking - great question. The “Elephant-in-the-room” question (and I just love those, I can’t explain it but I just do.) I knew that I had zippo control over whether or not we would be opening this 3rd service, so there was no point in complaining or avoiding it.

“As for me and my house - my area - my ministry - my team - my commitment, we will serve the Lord.” And I replied: “Good question. All I know is that it’s happening. And if I am the only person standing in the atrium, smiling and super excited that people are coming TO CHURCH, then so be it. That will be enough.”

I didn’t serve alone. The leaders who joined me came with open arms and open hearts and together, we grew the teams. It didn’t happen overnight. But it did happen.

How are you leading in the “no control” season?

Focus on your part.
Share the vision of the ministry through the lens of your heart to serve God.
Let go of everything else.