Reflections of a Trail Blazer

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:12)

When I was just entering my teen years a representative of a local hospital visited my school and introduced me to the world of Candy Stripers. Now, for those who may not remember or know about Candy Stripers, let me tell you about them. They were volunteers picked from high school candidates who were interested in nursing or other areas of the medical profession. The uniform was white with red pinstripes all through it; thus, Candy Stripers. Our job was to do anything in the hospital the nurses’ aides or nurses instructed you to do that did not require medical knowledge. I emptied bedpans on some occasions; other times I brought magazines, newspapers and books to patients. I enjoyed the opportunities to read out loud to patients. In those days, televisions were not in every hospital room, and only then for a premium price.

When I first signed up to be a Candy Striper I was taken through orientation. During my indoctrination into this wonderful world of volunteering I was given a schedule and I was told what to do if I could not fulfill my obligation. There was a rotating schedule and there were days I was a backup, which meant I could not schedule much for that day in case someone called in sick and I had to go to work.

My pay was the best I ever had in my life: The pride of walking through the hospital corridors with the knowledge that what I was doing was needed by the people and I was picked to do it. I felt like I had the most important job in the entire world.

Interesting thing, though, about the Candy Striper: becoming a Candy Striper was not automatic. There was the interview, indoctrination and training, and a short time of probation. If you passed everything required, then you were considered a volunteer Candy Striper.

To the hospital this was serious business. You were expected to show up for your scheduled times and do the work you were assigned. If my memory serves me right, I never got to pick what I wanted to do. My volunteering was my acceptance of any assignment that was needed for the time I was there.

Different Church View

I have seen such a completely different view of volunteering in the church world.  I have come to realize that everyone was not raised with the ethics I found in family, church and school. Today, the idea of being a volunteer means that an individual shows up when they do not have anything else to do; stays as long (or short) as they feel like it; and does the job according to their mood or desire.

In 30 years I have only seen less than ten people who volunteered to do anything in the church that was as committed to what they agreed to do as if they were being paid a six figure income.  It takes me a while to figure things out, sometimes, but it finally dawned on me that money (or lack, thereof) is what defines volunteerism to many people.

Let us look at three definitions and see what it really means to volunteer:

1. A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking
2. A person who performs a service willingly and without pay.
3. Military. A person who enters the service voluntarily rather than through conscription or draft, esp. for special or temporary service rather than as a member of the regular or permanent army.

In all of the three definitions mentioned above, all imply a commitment to be fulfilled, whether paid or not. Interesting to note about the military: The pay is the same whether you volunteer or were drafted.

I would like to challenge each of us in this area of ministry. We are volunteering all of the time, whether we realize it or not. We volunteer our time to someone when we say:

1. Give me a call if you need anything
2. If you ever need any help in that area I would love to do that
3. I’ll bring the dessert

What is our response when we are called upon to do what we said we would? At the time we “volunteered” it was convenient.  What happens to our commitment?

I had a secretary years ago who volunteered her time. Now I actually offered to pay her, but she and her husband insisted that they wanted to give their time to the church as part of their giving. I agreed to her commitment. She had regular office hours, scheduled personal days and vacation time, just like any other job. I was pretty lenient on time off, as long as it did not interfere with scheduled times, such as special meetings, traveling ministers, etc. Everything was fine until the arrangement did not meet the convenience of her everyday life. If I had it to do over again I would have gladly given her a paycheck and then let her give to the church the portion she wanted the church to have.

The attitude some have concerning volunteering seems to be that they are doing you a favor so you are at their disposal. Seems to me it should be the other way around.

I have had people to volunteer to do things either for me, personally, or in the church. I am still waiting on those projects to be done.

This is the reason why many pastors and ministry leaders have a difficult time loosing things into the hands of the people who really could help them. These ministers have spent years waiting on people to do what they said they would do. Volunteers who do not honor their commitment can cost the organization time and money as well as credibility.

As an example: I made a commitment to some people based on someone’s commitment to me to come and help do some work. Well, that person did not show up to do the work, yet my own commitment was now out there. Because I thought it was a one-time thing I pushed the commitment into another week, knowing I needed the help. Well, after three weeks I gave up and am doing the job myself. If I had known the volunteer would not honor their word I would not have extended myself.

Ministries are held back, many times, because of the inconsistencies of those who volunteer. One thing I was always taught was regardless of how I was treated on a job, if I committed to do something, honor my commitment to do it. Once my obligation was finished I did not have to stay. I cannot remember leaving a job or ministry without finishing at least what I had started.

• What have you committed to doing that you have not completed?
• When you did take on the project did you do it with excellence?
• When you could not honor your commitment did you notify those to whom you made the commitment?
• When you prepared to leave a job or ministry, whether you volunteered or were a paid employee did you consider the person coming in after you?

Whatever you sow in one person’s ministry you will reap it in your own.