Volunteers Volunteers or or

ServantsServantsWhat is the Difference?What is the Difference?

Volunteers Volunteers or or

ServantsServantsWhat is the Difference?What is the Difference?

Philippians 2:5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

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Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

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Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

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Deuteronomy 15:16 Deuteronomy 15:16 But if your servant says to But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you you," because he loves you and your family and is well and your family and is well off with you,off with you,

Deuteronomy 15:16 Deuteronomy 15:16 But if your servant says to But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you you," because he loves you and your family and is well and your family and is well off with you,off with you,

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17 then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant.

17 then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant.

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18 Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because his service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.

18 Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because his service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.

When working with those who are volunteers…

Consider these…

When working with those who are volunteers…

Consider these…

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They are not paid to work in your church. They are not paid to work in your church.

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ServantsServants

They do it because they want to. They do it because they want to.

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They do it because it makes them feel good.

They do it because it makes them feel good.

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They do it because they want to please God and Pastor.

They do it because they want to please God and Pastor.

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They do it because they have a burden. They do it because they have a burden.

Volunteers Volunteers or or

ServantsServants

They do it because they want to feel like they are a part of the whole.

They do it because they want to feel like they are a part of the whole.

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People leave the church because they found no place to serve.

People leave the church because they found no place to serve.

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However:However:•We do a great disservice to people

when they don’t understand the difference between being a volunteer and a servant.

•We do a great disservice to people when they don’t understand the difference between being a volunteer and a servant.

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However:However:•People lose out on blessings,

because we are afraid to define this.

•Much of this difference has to do with the spirit behind what they are doing.

•People lose out on blessings, because we are afraid to define this.

•Much of this difference has to do with the spirit behind what they are doing.

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Consider an ant colony or a bee hiveConsider an ant colony or a bee hive•Do the ants and bees do the things

they do - collecting food, digging tunnels, taking care of the queen- as volunteers? Or is it because they understand that they are part of a society where everyone has a role to play.

•Do the ants and bees do the things they do - collecting food, digging tunnels, taking care of the queen- as volunteers? Or is it because they understand that they are part of a society where everyone has a role to play.

Robert Greenleaf, described servant-leadership in this way.Robert Greenleaf, described servant-leadership in this way.

•“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.

•“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.

The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.

The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.

He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. Philippians 2:7

He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. Philippians 2:7

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Are you a volunteer or a servant? Are you aware of the difference? We often describe those who work for the church on an unpaid basis as volunteers. It's a term we've borrowed from social clubs and non-profit organizations.

Are you a volunteer or a servant? Are you aware of the difference? We often describe those who work for the church on an unpaid basis as volunteers. It's a term we've borrowed from social clubs and non-profit organizations.

Leaders of clubs and non-profits make it their business to cultivate a steady stream of volunteers.

Churches live or die by their ability to attract and mobilize volunteers.

Leaders of clubs and non-profits make it their business to cultivate a steady stream of volunteers.

Churches live or die by their ability to attract and mobilize volunteers.

A church not making good use of volunteers is a church destined for mediocrity.

To try and operate without the assistance of volunteers is a suicide mission for church staffs.

A church not making good use of volunteers is a church destined for mediocrity.

To try and operate without the assistance of volunteers is a suicide mission for church staffs.

In churches all across the country, the volunteer model of ministry has been used to do some wonderful things in the name of Christ. If only it were Biblical.

It is not.

In churches all across the country, the volunteer model of ministry has been used to do some wonderful things in the name of Christ. If only it were Biblical.

It is not.

Jesus said:Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:43-45

Jesus said:Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:43-45

Jesus didn't go around recruiting volunteers; he called people to be servants.

Jesus didn't go around recruiting volunteers; he called people to be servants.

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In our English Bibles, the Greek word "Doulos" is usually translated as "servant" when in the 1st Century it meant "slave."

In our English Bibles, the Greek word "Doulos" is usually translated as "servant" when in the 1st Century it meant "slave."

"Suppose one of you had a slave plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the slave when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink;

"Suppose one of you had a slave plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the slave when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink;

…after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the slave because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have only done our duty.'" Luke 17:7-10

…after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the slave because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have only done our duty.'" Luke 17:7-10

What is a slave?

Slaves are people who are owned by someone else. Slaves have masters. They are not free to do what they want to do.

What is a slave?

Slaves are people who are owned by someone else. Slaves have masters. They are not free to do what they want to do.

Our country is built upon the conviction that people were created to be free. Certainly this conviction is right and true and worth pursuing, as long as we don't let it overstep its bounds.

Our country is built upon the conviction that people were created to be free. Certainly this conviction is right and true and worth pursuing, as long as we don't let it overstep its bounds.

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In scripture, when God offers freedom, it comes in the form of a choice between masters.

In scripture, when God offers freedom, it comes in the form of a choice between masters.

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The Israelites could serve Pharoah in Egypt or they could serve God in the Promised Land; we can serve Satan in the Dominion of Darkness or we can serve Christ in the Kingdom of Light, but either way, as Dylan said, "We've got to serve somebody."

The Israelites could serve Pharoah in Egypt or they could serve God in the Promised Land; we can serve Satan in the Dominion of Darkness or we can serve Christ in the Kingdom of Light, but either way, as Dylan said, "We've got to serve somebody."

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One translation reads…

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22

One translation reads…

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22

Unlike so many slaves who have been abused by their earthly master, we have a Master who loves and cares for us and is always looking out for our best interests.

Unlike so many slaves who have been abused by their earthly master, we have a Master who loves and cares for us and is always looking out for our best interests.

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Make no mistake. God is still our master, and he expects obedience from his slaves. That's why the term "volunteer" has no place in the Kingdom of God.

Make no mistake. God is still our master, and he expects obedience from his slaves. That's why the term "volunteer" has no place in the Kingdom of God.

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When Jesus commands us to take care of the needy, we shouldn't have to ask for volunteers. Instead, we should coordinate the efforts of all the slaves in our church, making sure the task is accomplished as efficiently as possible.

When Jesus commands us to take care of the needy, we shouldn't have to ask for volunteers. Instead, we should coordinate the efforts of all the slaves in our church, making sure the task is accomplished as efficiently as possible.

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.

2 Cor. 4:5

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.

2 Cor. 4:5

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So let's be clear about what the church is and what it's not. It's not a club of volunteers who give their spare time to a good cause. It's a group of servants who were bought at a price, and whose entire lives are devoted to serving a common master.

So let's be clear about what the church is and what it's not. It's not a club of volunteers who give their spare time to a good cause. It's a group of servants who were bought at a price, and whose entire lives are devoted to serving a common master.

While on the earth, Jesus took the form of a servant. His apostles considered themselves servants of God and of the churches they served.

While on the earth, Jesus took the form of a servant. His apostles considered themselves servants of God and of the churches they served.

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Everyone in our church who holds membership is a servant. I may receive income from the church to go toward my expenses, but I'm a servant of Jesus Christ. I serve him and I serve you, because he served you.

Everyone in our church who holds membership is a servant. I may receive income from the church to go toward my expenses, but I'm a servant of Jesus Christ. I serve him and I serve you, because he served you.

If you're a Christian, you're not just a member of a volunteer social organization; you are a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the example he set for us.

If you're a Christian, you're not just a member of a volunteer social organization; you are a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the example he set for us.

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Now that I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, . . ." John 13:14-16

Now that I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, . . ." John 13:14-16

Jesus never asked his followers to give up a few hours of their day off, but he did call them to give up everything they cherished in life for the sake of his Kingdom.

Jesus never asked his followers to give up a few hours of their day off, but he did call them to give up everything they cherished in life for the sake of his Kingdom.

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Fundamentally the difference between a volunteer and a servant, is the Spirit in which we approach a need or a task.

A volunteer only does it for the organization, a servant does it mainly for the Master.

Fundamentally the difference between a volunteer and a servant, is the Spirit in which we approach a need or a task.

A volunteer only does it for the organization, a servant does it mainly for the Master.

Volunteers ask, "How much is required of me?" Servants of Christ, on the other hand, serve their church at the pleasure of their master, realizing their lives and the time by which they're measured, already belong to Him.

Volunteers ask, "How much is required of me?" Servants of Christ, on the other hand, serve their church at the pleasure of their master, realizing their lives and the time by which they're measured, already belong to Him.

Volunteers do it out of the goodness of their heart.

Servants do it because they love the Master and they feel an obligation.

Volunteers do it out of the goodness of their heart.

Servants do it because they love the Master and they feel an obligation.

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A volunteer feels gratified at a job well done.

A servant feels gratified, but more than that, they feel true joy and delight.

If you don’t feel joy after serving the Master, maybe you have approached it as a volunteer, and not a servant.

A volunteer feels gratified at a job well done.

A servant feels gratified, but more than that, they feel true joy and delight.

If you don’t feel joy after serving the Master, maybe you have approached it as a volunteer, and not a servant.

The church doesn't need more volunteers who give away what time they can spare. We need more servants whose lives belong to the Lord.

The church doesn't need more volunteers who give away what time they can spare. We need more servants whose lives belong to the Lord.

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

When this whole thing gets wrapped up and you're standing there before the Lord, are you expecting to hear him say to you, "Thanks for your time," or "Well done, my good and faithful servant?"

When this whole thing gets wrapped up and you're standing there before the Lord, are you expecting to hear him say to you, "Thanks for your time," or "Well done, my good and faithful servant?" Volunteers Volunteers

or or ServantsServants

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