“SHOULD PASTORS KNOW WHO VOLUNTEERS?”
The following post is in response to many of the responders of a blog you can read here: “2 Reasons Why Pastors Should Know the Details of Giving”
As a Pastor should you pay attention to how much your people volunteer? If someone was not volunteering would you consider their lack of serving to be a spiritual issue? Would you want to encourage them to get involved? If they are not serving they are missing out on a giant portion of what it means to be a follower of Christ. The giving of time and finances, among other things is important to the Christ like life.
One of the often quoted rebuttals for knowing what one gives or if they serve is “humility.” To say, “I don’t want anyone to know about what I do or give,” because of humility sounds pious enough, but is many times false humility and a cover up for what they really mean which is “I don’t give and I don’t serve.” Private individualized Christianity may be an American Gospel, but it is not Jesus’ Gospel.
Jesus addresses the attitude of heart behind why the Pharisee’s were telling everyone about their good deeds; they were doing it for show, they talked the talked but did not live it fully. They may have followed (some) rules, but they had not love, and were missing the point of why they did what they did. They were good religious people, but horrible Disciples.
I have met a number of people who never volunteer, never give and always complain. These type of folks are all over our churches, and in our communities, often moonlighting as one who “doesn’t need to be apart of a community of faith to be a Christian.” These people are spiritual children, no matter how long they have been in the church or have been a Christian. They have never graduated to Spiritual grown-up food. : ) This is a tough paragraph I get that. People have valid reasons for not attending church, and reasons why they have not been able to mature as a Christian. The Church needs to be willing to hear these concerns. Sometimes the blame belongs upon the church. Additionally, ones salvation does not depend upon going to a buidling every Sunday at 11 AM, nor, does salvation depend upon being a grown-up Christian. However, being in community, and holding others accountable and begin held accountable is needed for discipleship. Likewise, serving and giving are catalyst for helping people grow their faith, and becoming whole disciples of Jesus Christ.
In fairness I would also like to say I know Christians who serve and give, but are never satisfied with what they are doing and what they are giving. These people would never brag about what they do or give, nor would they be confused for lacking humility, nor will you be around them long before you know they are completely sold out for Jesus Christ. I spend my time with these people trying to learn from them, and trying to encourage them that they are doing great things for the Kingdom, even if they do not see it now, one day they will : ) I want them to know God is not a micromanaging God, nor is He is a slave Driving God. With God we need not feel pressured by the performance trap. His grace is enough and His grace is the reason we serve and the reason we give. Great people of God have taught me that.
Backing up a bit, there are other symptoms of spiritual infancy in addition to ones serving and giving. They usually have a narrow focus upon pet issues. They do well telling others how they should live out what the Bible says, but are themselves unaware that they are hypocrites. They are anti-many things, but for nothing. They look down on the unwed mother, but themselves are extremely unhealthy. Their bad health may be obvious, such as with one of most often overlooked sins in our church culture, which is gluttony (church dinners anyone), and as we all know gluttony often leads to obesity and or other severe health issues (persons may be gluttons of many things).
Or perhaps their dysfunction is of the hidden nature such as with mental or emotional health. Before I was a pastor I worked with all kinds of people who would tell me things about themselves, often times, things I would rather not known. By listening to people, I learned about people, and I discovered I had to stop judging books by their covers. Few people are exactly as they appear on the outside and at first glance. They put on a persona, and only let others see what they want them to see. I have met wonderful Christian people who struggle with some pretty difficult stuff; the good news for these folks is they are telling people their struggles and looking for help, and were usually willing to work toward wholeness.
In a similar way but on the opposite end of the spectrum, I have met non-Christians who live a more Christ like life than I do at times. I have always been challenged by this. I think this was Jesus point to the Pharisee about praying in the streets and their need to not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing or giving.
Like the Pharisee we all at different times act righteousness, quote Scriptures, but do not display love. We all need Jesus help, and we need to be shown Jesus’ love. Both Christians drinking spiritual milk and Christians eating spiritual adult food need guidance to become disciples of Christ. May the love of Christ fill all of our hearts