Lately I have been reading with great interest various news reports about our Pathfinder’s Bible Experience events. If you are not aware of what these are about, our Pathfinder clubs form teams to study a section of the Bible and then come together and are quizzed as teams about anything in those verses they have studied (see p. 8).
I can tell you I wouldn’t stand a chance against one of those teams. I have sat in the audience on numerous occasions and secretly kept my own personal score. I never have done as well as the lowest scoring team participating!
The truth is, every team and every Pathfinder is a winner. They build great friendships and store in their hearts the Word of God.
Support structure
It struck me this year like never before that behind every team were unbelievably dedicated and gracious volunteers who helped these Pathfinders learn the Bible passages, sometimes in the volunteer’s homes. If it wasn’t for the volunteers who helped them study and provided transportation to the events, there would be no Pathfinder Bible Experience.
PBE is just one of many wonderful ministries that take place in our church that simply wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the spirit of volunteerism among our members. Yes, we do have paid clergy and school teachers, but we wouldn’t have churches and schools without volunteers.
Just stop and think about it for a minute. Our Sabbath school and youth programs, our music leaders, Bible study teachers, adult ministries, community service and disaster relief programs, mission trips, evangelistic meetings, fellowship dinners, greeters, church socials and choirs are just a few examples of meaningful volunteerism in our churches.
Personal impact
Dr. Larry Reed, Bill Bass, Bill Stokes, Edna Pohlman and Bill Wolcott are a few of the people who, when I was a young person, impacted my life for eternity. Dr. Reed, Mr. Stokes and Mr. Bass were my Pathfinder leaders who, despite their full lives, gave much of their time for us kids. Edna Pohlman blessed all the children at our church and school through her faithful volunteerism and her generous love. Mr. Wolcott went beyond his work as my dean to befriend and mentor me.
Right now I invite you to stop and think about all the people in your church and school who—because of their willingness to volunteer—have impacted you or your family in your walk with Jesus. And after you have thought about these impactful volunteers, I invite you to take the time to thank them from the bottom of your heart for the blessing they have been. Showing our love and appreciation for their service is what will give them courage and bless their servant’s heart.
The Adventist World Church has an initiative we have talked about before but is worth bringing up again. It is called TMI, which stands for Total Member Involvement. If you haven’t found a way in which you can volunteer to be part of the ministry happening in your local church or school, I invite you to talk with your pastor or school principal to learn how you can join the great army of volunteers who make our churches and schools relevant and mission focused. And when you do, your church’s Nominating Committee will surely rise up and call you blessed!
10 Ways to Reward Volunteers & 5 Volunteer Recruiting Tips
