This is an excellent question.  The responses you get from your volunteers can be an indication of some of the challenges you may face as VBS leader.  

Wouldn’t it be a blessing if all the responses but were something akin to:

• “I volunteered to help the children to love the Lord.”
• “ I volunteered because I felt God’s calling,“ or
• ” I wanted to grow deeper in my faith. “

These are all answers that most people would feel is a “right” answer, and the type of response one might expect.

Not to second guess any of the answers, but now the question becomes, ” Is this the honest to goodness, cross my heart and hope to die real answer?  If God were asking the question,  what answer might the person give?

• “I volunteered as atonement for my sins.”  A person feeling very guilty because of specific past behavior might give this response.
• “I want to experience a different culture,“ is a reasonable answer.    For someone who has trouble deciding to join the mission, this reason might be the tipping point.  Another reason falling into this category would be  “I wanted a new experience. “
• “I just want to get away from my spouse for a while.”  Absence makes the heart grow fonder?

Then there are social reasons commonly selected by younger people, such as,

• “to be part of my group,” “to have a vacation with my spouse.”
• “to join my friends,” to fill in some time this summer”   or
• ” I don’t know.”

Maybe the reason is related to life goals.

• “it is on my bucket list,“ for example.

It could be a

• “A desire to fulfill the Great Commission.”

Most likely no single statement answers the question.  In reality, a combination of factors influences the decision to join the VBS mission.

Whatever  their reason for being there, a good leader will try to help each member of the team maximize their value to the VBS program,

And you know what?  They maximize the value to themselves in the process.   They spiritually change and the reason to volunteer changes too.  They have experienced God’s love and want to share it. It happens over and over again.

 They spiritually change and the reason to volunteer changes too.

When you are considering volunteering for the VBS team, or for anything else in life for that matter, check your motives.   

Are there times in your life when you have uttered the socially acceptable answer, or have avoided answering altogether?  Is service to God,  belief in God, and love of God something of which you are ashamed?   

Of course not!   (One of Paul’s common statements.)  

Make the right choice for the right reason.

Do it God’s way!  ….. and be proud of it!

 

                          

Next Week:    Ensuring Congregational Support