It is not stretching the truth to say here at The Met we have the best volunteers on the planet. Today is about celebrating our volunteers.
Perhaps better said, we want to celebrate what God is doing through our volunteer ministers. From graphic arts, to putting the Keeping in Touch cards in the chairs, to preparing the coffee and food for hospitality, to helping with Pride, to greeting you as you walk in the door, to setting up multimedia, adjusting the sound and working with our children, to mowing the grass and sweeping the parking lot, there is so much that our volunteer ministers do.
It’s a good thing to serve. It’s healthy and it’s even been proven to be good for your immune system to volunteer! We all have spiritual gifts and it’s about using them to invest our lives in helping others. Helping people know God’s love for them – no matter what circumstances they may find themselves in life.
The church is meant to be a group of people working together. No one person can be a church. Now, I know that some of us sometimes wish that we were the only members of our own little church, but as it’s been said, nobody else would want to join! The church is a community.
Let me quickly give you two reasons the church is a community:
1. God
The church is a community because it exists to display the character of God. Through our actions and our words and our attitudes we display the character of God. God is multi-faceted and so is the church. And sometimes displaying the character of God it takes all kinds of characters!
2. Mission
Simply put, the mission of the church is bigger than any one person can accomplish. It’s been said that if your vision for your life doesn’t require others, then it’s not big enough. If you can accomplish it on your own, you need to dream bigger. The mission of the church, bringing people closer to God and one another, is bigger than any one of us can accomplish on our own.
You can touch people I’ll never be able to touch. And someone else will reach people both you and I could never reach. The most effective way to grow the church is by inviting our friends and family!
Paul was absolutely clear with the Philippians: If the mission and vision and sharing the good news of God’s inclusive love to all people is going to touch lives, it was going to take all of them. It was going to take the church made up of many ministers.
As a VIP church, we apply those letters to our volunteers. In any ministry and program we have here at MCC our goal is to see Vibrancy and Inclusiveness all with a twist of Progressive added in there that says, we are all spiritual seekers – we are non judgmental – we are open and it’s OK to not always have all the answers.
MCC San Diego exists to develop life-changing relationships with God and one another, and in that personal transformation we are bridge builders. Reaching out, by living authentic lives and being light wherever we go and sharing the Good News of God’s love for all people. This takes every last one of us.
This would not happen if it were not for you! The board of directors can’t do it all. The staff can’t do it all. And God knows, I can’t do it all! It takes all of us! So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! Thank you!
There is power in appreciation. Never doubt the power of showing appreciation. Your words of encouragement and affirmation have tremendous power to lift up the spirit, and for many, it’s the only reward they’ll get this side of heaven.
Appreciation is simple to give and brings lasting rewards. A wise minister came up with the following four tips for showing gratitude to those around you.
Praise often
Don’t wait for a formal opportunity to say thank you. The minute you notice a volunteer minister or staff member doing something good, tell them about it. “I’m so glad you thought of that idea.” “Thank you for being here early.” “I really appreciate what you’re doing for our teenagers.” Instant affirmation is the best.
Praise publicly
Affirmation, as its counterpart, criticism, can go viral if you give it a chance. Thank one volunteer in front of another, and you’ll encourage two for the price of one. Praise a staff member in front of a group, and you will create a culture of positive feedback.
Praise in writing
Even in the electronic age, people value a handwritten note of thanks. In fact, they may value it more highly because of the time and effort it requires. Keep a box of thank-you notes nearby and send them out regularly.
Praise sincerely
The only word of caution regarding affirmation is that it must be heartfelt. People can spot false praise a mile away, and it only discredits the giver. Genuinely notice, respect and appreciate the people who serve with you. Then tell them. You’ll both be better for it.
There are pots of gold around the church today and the theme today is that our volunteer ministers are worth more than their weight in gold! How much would that be? Well, I checked last week, and the price of gold was $1,420/ troy ounce.
Let’s figure this out. Let’s say an average person weighs in at 150 pounds and there are 28 troy ounces in a pound.
1,420 X 28 = 39,760 X 150 = $5,964,000!
Wow! That’s a lot of worth. But wait, you’re worth more than your weight in gold, lots more, because touching a life, perhaps changing a life, and definitely making a difference in a life through your participation and sharing your gifts is priceless!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Rev. Dan Koeshall is the senior pastor at The Metropolitan Community Church (The Met), 2633 Denver Street, San Diego, California, themetchurch.org. Services every Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m.