It's Time for a Heart Check-up...

"Can I interview you?"

Usually, I am the one asking this question. But yesterday, it was my turn to be interviewed--by my best friend (who is in seminary). The topic? Volunteering.

Here are a few of the sample questions (how I remember them anyway):

1. What kind of volunteer work do you participate in?
   
2. Do you think it's more important to volunteer at church or in the community? Why or why not?
   
3. How did you start volunteering?
   
4. What motivates you to volunteer?
   
5. What level of time commitment is required as part of your volunteer work?
   
6. If you could change anything at organization you volunteer with, what would it be?
   
7. What do you think makes your role as a volunteer different from a full-time staff member?

Just to name a few. :) It was an interesting conversation--for my future pastor friend to think about what volunteers go through (though as a PK and long-time volunteer herself, she has a pretty good idea!). But is was also good for me to think once again about why I do what I do.

After we talked about time commitment, my friend replied, "Whoa! Seriously, sometime you should log the hours for a month--it would just be interesting to know."

I am far from perfect. But if I could change anything at church or in community organizations it would be this--I wish more people realized how fun and rewarding it can be to volunteer--because ultimately, you have the ability to make a positive impact on someone else's life.

I know that might sound corny or cliche. But as I was being inteviewed, I was thinking of stories...of faces...people whose lives have changed for the better since I first met them.

I will never take the credit for the girl who once had low self-esteem, but is now dreaming of going to college. I'm not the reason why a young couple has a renewed passion for reaching out to friends who don't know God. I am not completely responsible for the shy guy who now has a group of friends he can count on or for the old man at the altar with tears streaming down his wrinkled cheeks.

But through volunteering, I played a part in their transformations. And there's something really cool about that.

So on those Sunday mornings when I'd rather hit the snooze button, Saturday afternoons when I'd rather hang out with my friends, or Thursday nights when I'd rather watch "The Office" (live!)--I will try to forget my own selfishness and remember--those faces, those people, those lives that are forever changed.

More than words...

Words are important. As a writer, I'm paid for my words--how I put them together, how many I write and how I edit them. Words shape how people perceive me and how I perceive them. They can enhance my relationships or separate me from others.

But it's funny ... as important as words are in my life (and probably yours), I'm continually reminded that actions supercede them.

Walking the talk
Here's one example: Today I was reading a Seattle Times' story titled "Christian Leaders: Children Need Homes". The article basically points to the idea that prominent Christian leaders are encouraging believers to adopt and/or support children's charities. One of the key reasons? To answer criticism that Christians, while condemning abortion and gay adoption, don't do enough for children without parents...ouch!

The world is watching you
It brings up the whole idea that the world is watching you (even though you might not know it). Yeah, we as Christians may say we care about people, are pro-life, blah blah blah ... but who really cares what we say? As much as I believe in the importance of "messaging" and the power of words, they're meaningless without action. I can try to look good on the outside, have a great job and have things that are attractive to non-believers. But ultimately, people are watching to see what I'm doing with my beliefs.

Beyond our walls
To take it a step further, I think people are watching to see what we do with our beliefs outside the community of the Church. Yes, we may help kids by volunteering in a Sunday school class ... but what do we do to practically help kids or families in our communities? Kids and families that may even have a greater need for our practical help?

I don't really have all the answers. I really do believe church involvement is a critical part of my life and there's a difference between a good cause and a God cause. But at the same time, I have to ask myself if I'm doing enough to help the world outside of the Church...because it's a world that's confused, lost, orphaned, poor, sick...and in need of my help.

Common Law Church?

What's a piece of paper worth? A lot--if it means your heart, your life, your time.

Most Christians would agree with the statement above if it applies to marriage. But what about church membership? If we're attending or participating at a church--does it really matter if we "make it official" and become a church member?

Church Consumers
Of course! If we just attend a church without becoming part of it, it's like a common law marriage. We become users of the church without committing ourselves wholly to it. We consume, instead of creating community. Church becomes "a place I like to hang out" (notice the "I" focus) instead of the center of our lives.

Don't get me wrong--we should enjoy being at church. It should be fun, inspiring and a place where we have friendship with others. Those things are all important. But if that's all church is to us, we miss out on the beauty of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

The Opportunity to Influence
I think these thoughts struck me this weekend when I was talking with some of my friends about finding church volunteers and some of the qualities we should look for in small group leaders. As we talked, several of us highlighted stories of approaching people to lead and hearing, "I'm too busy" or "Small group is the place where I come to get filled up myself, not lead". These responses break my heart ... because these people are missing out on an incredible opportunity to influence. If Christ gave His life for the church, can't we give 2 hours a month to help lead a small group--or serve in some other way?

The People Who "Get It"
On the flip side, the people who get these principles continue to amaze me. Yesterday, I was at a meeting at our church volunteers--a church of over 5,000 members--and maybe 400 regular volunteers. Some of them hold several jobs and go to school--and somehow manage to volunteer in multiple parts of the church and/or other community organizations. They're busy! They have friends, families and successful careers...but they love church and they love life.

The key? They've dedicated their lives to serving because they've found something worth committing to--and they see the rewards of belonging.

Question: How do those of us who "get it" encourage others to follow our example of belonging and serving?