3 June 2009

On the Journey

              What the world needs now—a volunteer!

              The world we live in is rapidly changing. This change creates both opportunities and crises. These opportunities and crises call for people of courage and vision to step forward and to lead. Visionary and challenging leaders will require followers who demonstrate a passion for a new day and a willingness to sacrifice so visions may become realities. These passionate followers willing to sacrifice for the sake of a new tomorrow will need communities of encouragement, care, and compassion as they struggle against the powers of this world. These communities will be critical because the Apostle Paul reminds us: “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” [Ephesians 6:12]

              There are international, national, state, and local crises and opportunities. Sometimes it seems that we feel so overwhelmed by global problems and concerns that we feel powerless to address local needs. Yet, local problems and needs are the ones we possess the most power to impact.

              Through my volunteer work with United Way, I am acquainted with the challenges our local non-profit agencies face. These agencies are attempting to respond to a multitude of opportunities and crises present in our community. They feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide utility assistance, offer health care and medicine, and shelter the homeless. Several of these agencies seek to offer care, guidance, and encouragement to children and youth. Individuals and families faced with physical abuse, sexual abuse, and substance abuse find help and resources through these agencies. Persons suffering from all kinds of emotional and psychological distress turn to these agencies. 

              In recent months, our Future Missions Committee has met with groups within our community who are responding to human needs. We have listened as folks have described the challenges facing children and youth in Paducah. We learned of a ministry that is about 15 months old that is feeding approximately 170 people lunch each day. They serve meals Monday through Friday. We have also learned of needs among our senior adults in Paducah who are attempting to remain in their homes.

              There are many opportunities and crises to address within our community. Through non-profit agencies, civic clubs, businesses, and churches, human needs are being addressed in our community. Yet, all these groups have one pressing need—volunteers. They need folks in the trenches meeting people and responding to human needs. People are needed to build mentoring relationships with youth and children, intervene on behalf of the neglected and abused, serve meals to the hungry, staff clothes closets and a thousand other things big and small.

              I readily identify with this need for volunteers, for above all else, a Baptist church is a volunteer organization. To sustain the life of Immanuel, we need scores of volunteers each week to sing in choirs, to teach Sunday School, to care for children, to welcome members and guests to worship, to serve meals, to set-up rooms, to lead programs, and to pray for our life together. We need volunteers to staff the nursery, to chaperone campers, to lead discipleship groups, to serve on committees, to care for our grounds, and to address maintenance issues. Our congregational life is dependent upon the faithful and joyful commitment of volunteers who serve Christ by serving Immanuel.

              In these days, leaders of non-profit organizations, schools, and churches often ask, “Where have all the volunteers gone?” I am bombarded by invitations to attend seminars that promise to teach me how to recruit and train volunteers or how to feed and care for volunteers. Despite their promises, these invitations underline for me the reality that there simply are not enough volunteers to meet the pressing needs of organizations and institutions. One generation of active volunteers is fading away, and a new generation of volunteers has not yet emerged.

              Here, at Immanuel, we encourage you to volunteer—volunteer to serve our church and our community through the various agencies and organizations that help others. We understand the value of committed volunteers. Enthusiastic and faithful volunteers are more valuable than gold.

             We realize that time is the new commodity most highly valued by people. For so many of us today, we would rather give money than time. Several years ago, when I served as president of the soccer boosters at Tilghman, I had a parent say to me, “Don’t ask me to help with the concession stand. Just tell me how much to write my check for.” These words have come back at me, when recently; I have been able to promise a gift of money but not a commitment of time.

             The future is unknown to any of us. Yet, if volunteerism continues to be such a rare gift, many of the things we now enjoy and depend upon will slowly be disappear. In terms of responding to human needs, money has its limits. People need people.  At this time, in the life of Immanuel and in our community, volunteers are needed desperately to enrich lives, to infuse hope, and to make life better for us all. I would encourage to give the most valuable gift of all—your self. If you give your self, someone’s live will be changed forever. If you doubt me, look at what happened when Jesus gave his life.jamie