FOREWORD
The local church is God’s idea and He likes the idea very much. It is a wonderful place to be. The church is where the
saints of God gather together to worship God, and where they fellowship with Him and with one another. It is where learning
takes place and where we grow spiritually. The local church is where believers learn to serve God as they work in the
various areas of the church. And one of the most amazing things is that volunteers accomplish the vast majority of what
happens in the local church. This is God’s plan for His church. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
How these volunteers do their jobs makes a big difference in how happy they are in their serving, as well as, how successful
the church becomes. As they are faithful and diligent, their church operates smoothly and efficiently and Jesus is glorified
as a result of it. The problem however is that most churches’ volunteers are lacking in adequate training. Because of this
the majority of churches do not function well. This training manual is designed to help remedy this problem through the
application of the wisdom of God and sound methodology.
I speak blessings on you as you train yourself in righteousness through the use of this manual. May our Lord Jesus add His
grace to you as you prepare yourself to serve Him in His Church.
Rev. Randy Barnett
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS TRAINING MANUAL
This manual is designed to be a self-help tool. The individual lessons are laid out simply and you will find they are easy to
use.
As you already know, the effort you put into something will determine the benefit you derive from it. The same is true in this
self-training. For that reason, please approach this very important training with a genuine commitment to God to serve Him
with excellence.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord, and not to men, knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the inheritance;
for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
The greatest benefit you receive from this training will be as you designate a particular time each week for several weeks to
work with it. This manual is not something that you will sit down with and in a single reading master what is being taught. It
is suggested that you set aside an hour each week.
Approach this prayerfully. Begin each session with prayer. Commit yourself and your efforts to Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit
(who is your Teacher) to instruct you and enliven your mind and heart to receive and retain what is learned.
Each lesson begins with a page of instruction. Read it carefully and read it at a pace that is good for you to learn. The next
page in the lesson will be a workbook page for you to answer questions that are taken directly from the page of instruction
or the Bible. Then you will find a Case Study at the end of each lesson that is intended to show you practically how the
lesson truth is applied.
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LESSON #1 - MY MEASURE OF SPHERE
Every task in the church is an important one – from the broom closet to the pulpit; and each is a part that makes the
“machine” run properly. Let’s call your task by the correct biblical term which is your “sphere.” Read II Corinthians 10:12-
16. Whether you are a Sunday school helper, a musician, or mow the church lawn, you have a sphere in which you operate.
Your sphere is your realm of authority. Regardless of what the task is, you are appointed to stand in authority in that area.
I realize that you understand that your authority is under the authority of others. (pastor, deacon, department head, etc.) But
you individually are placed so as to insure that Jesus, who is the Head of the church, has the one He can count on to carry
out His plan for your sphere. You are the means by which the perfect will of God is accomplished in your church. Wow!
How privileged you are!
Success in your sphere is not merely a matter of “doing the job.” Your spiritual authority starts in prayer. God
acknowledges the one in authority as the voice that He responds to in matters that deal with that sphere. He placed you
there and He listens to you. He responds as you release His blessings upon your sphere and as you bind the evil one and
his evil cohorts from hindering what He wants to do there. (Matthew 18:18)
REMEMBER:
What you allow, God allows; and what you forbid, God forbids.
Rule your sphere in righteousness! If you have helpers under your spiritual charge, be certain not to lord over them, but
gently and lovingly guide them and cover them. Pray much for them. Stand against the enemy on their behalf. For indeed,
these brothers and sisters in Christ are important to the success of your sphere. If righteousness is to prevail in your
sphere, it will begin because the one in authority has deemed it to happen, and that one is you. Determine right now to
cause the will of God to happen in your sphere!
Accept the responsibility of what happens in your sphere. This will help to fortify your resolve to carefully and prayerfully do
all that is required to faithfully fulfill your task. Oh by way…enjoy the journey!
QUESTIONS ON MY MEASURE OF SPHERE
1. How do I define the term “sphere?”
2. What is the Scriptural basis for the term “sphere?”
3. What is my own sphere in my church?
4. Who is the head of the church and therefore who is it that I am working to please?
5. What is the means by which the perfect will of God will be done in my church?
6. Success is not merely a matter of doing the job, it also involves the spiritual activity of ________________________.
God responds to me when I ___________________________
His blessings, and as I ______________ the evil one from hindering in my sphere.
7. What does it mean to “rule in righteousness?”
8. If righteousness is to prevail in my sphere, it will begin to happen because….
9. How do I insure that the will of God happens in my sphere?
10. How do I help to fortify my resolve to carefully and prayerfully do all that is required to faithfully fulfill my task?
CASE STUDY
“Joe” leads the Food Ministry in his church. He came to his pastor with concerns over workers that help in the Food
Ministry. The specific problem Joe was having dealt with division and strife between two ladies who work in the Food
Ministry. His efforts of talking with them individually as well as jointly had failed to solve the problem.
The pastor showed Joe how to use his powerful, God-given, spiritual authority to change
the situation in the spiritual realm. He was taken to Matthew 18:18 and it was explained to him how to employ God’s powerful
spiritual weapons of binding and loosing. Within a few weeks, the strain between these two women was gone. How did this
happen? It happened because Joe released into his sphere the existence of the blessings of unity and brotherly love; (this
is called “loosing”) and he also stood strongly against the evil spirits who were at work in the situation. (this is called
“binding) (see Matthew 18:18 and
Ephesians 6:10-12) Through the use of his spiritual authority the problem was soon remedied.
You will usually find that your best efforts at solving problems in your sphere through your natural means are insufficient.
Joe’s attempt at counseling the ladies was the right thing to do, but certain spiritual problems must be addressed in the spirit
realm as well, as he discovered. This is why it is important for you to have a good working knowledge of spiritual warfare, for
it will help to insure that things go well for you in your sphere.
Please remember that whatever is taking place in the physical realm is usually a result of what is taking place in the spiritual
realm. This is why you will use spiritual means to effect spiritual goals that will result in physical well-being within your
sphere.
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LESSON #2 – SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE
You are serving God and what a privilege it is! This happens to be a time in history when there is a strong undermining
influence of mediocrity in our society. And yes, this is flowing even into our churches. Because the church is primarily an
entity run by volunteers, this can be especially challenging to keep the volunteers motivated to perform their tasks with
excellence.
Working in excellence is one of the strong overtones of the Bible. The Kingdom of God is worthy of the very best effort God’
s people can muster, for indeed the service you perform in your church is done to the King of kings. All you do should be
done so as to bring glory to God, and excellence is certainly one characteristic of your Kingdom labors that will cause that.
A good study on this excellence factor is Daniel. Take the time now to read the Book of Daniel taking special notice of him
and his three companions who understood excellence. May I suggest you pattern your own work ethic after Daniel’s.
Attitude is everything when you are attempting excellence. How you think will determine how you perform. Do you see
yourself as someone who is excellent in behavior and in attitude? Do you think of yourself as a person who performs 100%
on each and every assignment regardless of how insignificant it may seem? You should. Just think about it: you are a
covenant partner with God!
Excellence doesn’t just happen; it happens on purpose. For example, falling in the door on Sunday morning 5 minutes
before your Sunday school class begins cannot possibly produce excellence in your ministry to those children. The teacher
who operates in excellence is there long before starting time so he/she can prepare spiritually and pray. That is when you
rid your sphere of demonic powers, and it is when you release the blessings of God on all who attend the class. Quietly stay
in the presence of God to hear exactly what He wants in that classroom. REMEMBER: Mediocrity assumes things will just
work out OK, excellence demands success and settles for nothing less.
Excellence is a way of life for you just as it was for Daniel. Proper sleep and proper eating habits, adequate relaxation, and
a balanced life all help to promote excellence in your life. You will benefit in all areas of your life as you do these things in
excellence.
Excellence is a matter of priorities. Staying focused is critical if you are to maintain service to God in excellence. Life will
attempt to distract you and things will come along to divert your attention, many of which are legitimate activities. However,
do not allow anything to take you from your appointed task when you are in the preparation mode. When your service to
God becomes a priority, nothing will take you from it. Nothing! Such is the way of excellence.
Allow your Teacher (the Holy Spirit) to help you re-structure your schedule. He will show you how to manage your time
properly. You will find there is adequate time to do all that you must do in every area of your life if He is allowed to guide
your life in excellence. Be patient with yourself. Excellence is something that is grown into. There is a process you will
undergo as you develop in your excellence, that is why you must not despair if you find old tendencies still lingering and you
are not fully developed instantly. It will come as you remain diligent. Set your mind on achieving excellence and you will.
Rejoice in Psalm 37:5.
QUESTIONS ON SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE
1. Define “mediocrity” from the dictionary.
2. Doing what you do in excellence is not just a good idea, it is one of the strong overtones of the __________.
3. All you do should be done so as to bring ________ to _________.
4. Did you read the Book of Daniel? _____ In chapter 1 verse 8 what did Daniel do which helped him maintain a high level of
excellence?
5. Excellence doesn’t just happen, it happens ___ ___________.
6. Excellence is a way of life. Are there areas in your life needing attention? If so, list them here:
7. When your service to God becomes a priority, _____ will take you from it.
8. Why is it important for you to be patient with yourself concerning your development of
excellence?
CASE STUDY
Carl is a 48-year old successful businessman who loves the Lord very much. He is an usher and holds one of the
leadership positions in the men’s ministry. He is viewed by others as a leader.
Carl was raised in a formal, liturgical church but now enjoys the freedom he has found in an independent church. But Carl
has taken his newly found “freedom” too far and has become laid back in his work habits in the church. He resists the
pastor’s encouragement for people to be punctual and diligent, viewing it as restrictive and unnecessary. He typifies many
in independent churches who have taken their liberty in Christ Jesus too far. This mentality flies in the face of excellence.
As Carl seeks the face of God he senses divine disapproval over something in his life. Careful soul-searching reveals to
him he is not operating in excellence in his church. He is able to see that excellence in service to God does not in any way
infringe upon the spiritual liberty he has discovered. He comes to realize the pastor’s encouragement toward diligence and
excellence is revealing to him qualities of God, and they are not meant to be burdensome or legalistic or performance-
oriented.
Carl now rejoices in his liberty but operates in excellence.
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LESSON #3 – LEADING BY EXAMPLE
You are a servant in your local church, and as such you assume a role of leadership in the church. Jesus teaches us that
to serve is to lead.
“Yet is shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to
become great among you, let him be your servant.”
Matthew 20:26
As a leader in the church you are therefore required to lead by example. Jesus’ life reveals this principle to us. Those He
led saw in Him a life of holiness and righteousness. He did not preach one thing and live another. So it will be with you child
of God.
The more responsibility you assume in your church, the greater will be the need for your life to be a good example to all.
People tend to demand more out of their leaders than they do even from themselves. The same is true in the church.
Because some in local churches have not understood this principle, many have fallen away because they have not seen
church servant/leaders live holy. This must not happen to you. People are watching you, live like Jesus and be an example
to them.
There are numerous things you as a servant/leader are required to consider. How about your attitude? You know it shows,
don’t you? What about your constancy in attendance, in participation in church activities, and other public aspects of your
relationship with God? Do you follow through when you tell others you will do something? When you speak, are your words
life-filled, edifying, and gracious? Just some things to consider. Remember: your example is there to be seen, be careful
what you do with it!
As a servant/leader, it is good to evaluate yourself from time to time to be sure that your life is up to the scrutiny demanded
of a leader. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas needing attention and then simply do as He says. This constant self-
analysis will help to insure that you are always pleasing to your Father as your life is a good model for others.
Oh, and by the way, enjoy yourself.
QUESTIONS ON LEADING BY EXAMPLE
1. As a leader is the church you are required to ___________ by example.
2. The more responsibility you assume in your church, the greater will be the need for…
3. People are watching you, live like Jesus and be an….
4. As a servant/leader it is good to evaluate yourself from time to time for what reason?
5. Evaluate yourself right now under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. List the areas He is showing you that need attention
and write down what He wants you to do about them.
6. Jesus teaches you in Matthew 20:26 this powerful principle of leadership. Write the verse out to further develop it in you:
CASE STUDY
“Cindy” is 52 years old, divorced, and remarried. Her talents and gifts from God are numerous. We might call Cindy a utility
player on the team because she can do almost anything that is needed in the church and seems always willing to be used.
She has a strong personality and commanding presence in any situation which is why other people tend to get their “read”
on any given subject by her response. She is quite facially responsive, and therefore telegraphs her approval or
disapproval openly. (this may be subconscious)
As Cindy is shone how her responses tend to set in place the attitudes and even conduct of others within the church, she
comes to realize her need to be careful. Leaders must understand the influence they have on others and guard their
responses and actions carefully because these become examples for others. And such examples by servant/leaders then
become the standards by which others in the church conduct themselves.
Your words and actions will speak loudly to others just as Cindy’s did; therefore, guard yourself and always be cognizant of
your actions, attitudes, and responses. If you find there are some weak areas in you, don’t despair, seek help from your
Helper. (Holy Spirit) He is happy to assist you in developing that area of your life into something that will bring glory to Jesus.
This is how you will become a good example as a leader to others..
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LESSON #4 - I AM A TEAM PLAYER
The local church is like a machine with many parts. Each part is needed if that machine is to operate smoothly and with
peak performance. When the servant/leaders are working harmoniously the will of God is accomplished and the machine
runs nicely.
Cooperation is the lubrication of the local church.
Servant/leaders do not operate separately and apart from the other servant/leaders in the local church. Even though each
person has a defined sphere that may seem to be detached, it is not. Every other sphere of service or ministry in your
church affects your sphere in one way or another; and every other area is affected by yours. (see I Corinthians 12:12-31)
No servant/leader should view his/her sphere as more important than any of the others. The helper in the sound booth is
not greater than the janitor who is not less than the senior pastor who is not more vital than the assistant in the food pantry.
Each is fulfilling a function that makes the machine work. The proper perspective of each servant/leader should be that
his/her sphere is not THE end to itself. It is a part of the overall entity of the church.
It is good for you to be passionate and zealous for your sphere because to you it is something to be valued and cherished
as a treasure from God. He has entrusted it to your keeping and success. Please be mindful however that it is one of many
and Jesus the Head of the church values each equally.
Learn to make decisions in your sphere with concerns for the other areas of service and ministry in your church. The home
cell leader, for example, may decide to schedule the group at a time when some of the members in the group need to be at
choir practice or at a special meeting. This could cause problems and would definitely negatively effect whatever spheres
are involved. Simple concern for other spheres built on your love for other servant/leaders will go far in building the spirit of
cooperation and unity in your church.
A healthy “team-player mentality” on your part will not only help the overall church’s well-being but it will also help to insure
the success of your particular sphere. God blesses this type of humility and cooperation because it honors Him as you
honor other servant/leaders.
QUESTIONS ON I AM A TEAM PLAYER
1. You as a servant/leader do not operate separately and apart from
2. From verse 26 in I Corinthians 12 how would you explain the effect each servant/leader has on other servant/leaders?
3. When the servant/leaders are working ___________ together the will of God is accomplished.
4. You as a servant/leader should not view your sphere as ________________ than any other sphere.
5. The proper perspective of each servant/leader should be that his/her sphere is not THE ______________________.
6. Why is it good for you to be passionate and zealous for your sphere?
7. You must learn to make decisions in your sphere with concerns for other areas of service and ministry for what reason?
8. Simple concern for other spheres will go far in building the ______________________ and unity in your church.
9. A healthy “team-player mentality” on your part will not only help the overall church’s well being but it will also help to…
10. God blesses humility and cooperation in servant/leaders because…
CASE STUDY
“Sally” was the leader of the intercessory prayer group that met each Friday evening at the church. She was passionate
about prayer and was a prayer warrior par excellence.
Sally approached the pastor about having a room for the intercessors. He agreed and assigned a certain room for their use
on the second floor of the building. This arrangement continued until it became necessary to rearrange several rooms for
the overall benefit of the Christian Education department. Sally was approached with the need to use her intercessory
prayer room for one of the teens classrooms and her intercessors would use a comparably-sized room on the first floor.
She was quite unhappy with the thought of moving “her” room and her displeasure spilled over into the other intercessors.
Despite her objections the move was made.
Change is often resisted, that is to be understood. Sally and her prayer warriors were happy in “their room” upstairs and felt
comfortable there. Their failure however came when their attachment to something overshadowed their willingness to think
with a “team mentality.”
The church was weakened because of this response in Sally. She developed resentment toward the pastor and toward the
teacher who got “her room.” Of course, such division should not be in the church.
Paul the apostle says in Romans 12:10…
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
in honor giving preference to one another.”
(NKJV)
What would have been the right thing for Sally to do? She should have demonstrated team mentality and gladly moved her
intercessors rather than balking at the notion. Jesus would have been glorified in that and a spirit of selflessness would
have prevailed in the church.
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LESSON #5 - BALANCING MY TIME
You are probably just like most of us in that your life is hurried and busy. You find yourself being pulled in several directions
at one time all the time. The need for you as a servant/leader to balance your life is critically important. It is important for
your own well being as well as the success of the sphere to which you are called by God. Through the wisdom and
guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can do all you must do.
Stress from imbalances in our lives happens when we fail to follow God in our labors. This may be at our job, at home, or in
our church work. We pour ourselves into our work in the church only to find that our chores at home are being neglected
somewhat. Or, we take time to clean the garage and attic which takes three full days and realize that we have failed to
accomplish something the pastor has asked us to do in our department. Stress usually brings on guilt when we find we are
neglecting some aspect of our lives because of busyness in other areas.
Most of us seem to wrestle with the question, “To which area of my life should I give priority?” What should be my priority
scale: Family, church, job? Church, family, job?….What?…..God help me to understand Your will for me! The answer here
is really not quite as difficult as it may seem. Let’s just take a step back, relax, and look at this for a moment. We know God
is not stressed out over all we have to do, right? He is not confused about all of this. So let’s just ask the Holy Spirit what it
is we should do right now. As we do that, we are certain to do exactly what it is He desires. And if we are doing just what He
wants, it is certain that He is not leaving anything undone in any other area of our life. Right? God will not ask you to
sacrifice the well-being of your family and home for the sake of the church; nor will He sacrifice His church for domestic
reasons.
Management of your time is something God will teach you. Through prayerful planning and the use of the right tools, time
will become an ally not an enemy. It will take self-discipline to accomplish it, but you are capable of it simply by virtue of Who
it is you serve. Through Jesus indeed you can do all things!
QUESTIONS ON BALANCING MY TIME
1. Balance in your life is important to you for two reasons, what are they?
2. Through __________ and _____________ of the Holy Spirit, you can do all you must do.
3. Stress usually comes from ______________ in our lives.
4. What is the answer to the question, “To which area of my life should I give priority?”
5. If we are doing just what God wants, it is certain that He is not…
6. God will not ask you to ____________ the well-being of your family for the sake of the church; nor will He sacrifice His
church for ______________.
7. Who is going to teach you wise use of your time?
CASE STUDY
“Cecilia” is one of the hardest working saints any church has ever had. She works in several areas of service and ministry
and does so with joy and diligence. Cecilia’s health has started to fail, she seems more prone to sickness and colds than
she has in her past. Also, she seems somewhat depressed lately. She constantly seems to wrestle with the dilemma of
whether to work in the church or to do work at home. When she gives herself to one or the other, guilt sets in because she
feels she is not doing her best in the other one. A meeting with the pastor reveals imbalance in her life.
Cecilia is out of balance. For a season she will throw herself into her church duties with gusto, but while this is happening
she will neglect certain duties at home. Feelings of guilt will set in and will cause her to throw herself into her domestic
chores to the expense of her church duties. Guilt over her neglected church tasks will cause her to reverse her attentions
once again….the cycle continues. This roller coaster ride of emotions is taking a toll on her.
What is Cecelia to do? First of all, she should repent. She obviously is trying to do all these wonderful things “in the flesh.”
She is not heeding the voice of the Spirit of God who is undoubtedly trying to get her attention and guide her into balance.
Secondly, she should ask the Holy Spirit to teach her to follow His guidance. He will reveal to her each day what she should
be doing, and, of course, His plan of action will insure that nothing is neglected. Lastly, it is advisable that she implements a
time management system through careful and prayerful planning.
It is good to remember that symptoms of failing health or depression or anxiety or stress are oftentimes brought on by trying
to do what we do by the arm of the flesh – apart from the guidance of the Lord. If these signs arise in you, take inventory
and make the necessary changes to bring balance back into your life and schedule. As you do you will enjoy your Kingdom
work and every aspect of your life.
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LESSON #6 - SETTING THINGS IN ORDER
God is a God of order. This truth is substantiated by the manner He has organized the universe and how He choreographs
the natural world. His physical laws govern the world in which we live; because of them we don’t go flying off into outer
space as the earth turns. When we study the earthly ministry and life of Jesus we see yet another facet of God’s divine
order in Jesus’ willing submission to His Father.
This same concept of order is divinely prescribed for the church of Jesus Christ. Read Ephesians 4:11-16. Here we see
how God has structured His church by appointing certain ones as leaders (verse 11) who are called upon to equip the
saints of God to operate as His ministers. When this order is adhered to, the church operates quite well and it is fruitful;
furthermore, it is lovely to behold.
The local church must have order if it is to run properly. Without order there is confusion and often chaos. When the
structure is in place, each of us knows our role. Order brings clarity to what each member is to do and how they are to work
in harmony with all others to accomplish the vision of the church. The task each of us has is to understand the overall vision
of our church and how our individual role fits into the order of that grand plan.
One of the glaring problems within the Body of Christ is the lack of structure at the local church level. Some churches seem
to be void of any real track on which to run and each servant/leader simply does what he/she feels is right for the moment.
Guidelines and procedures may often be viewed by some people as restrictive or burdensome. In reality these things serve
to be the lubrication for the success of the church. Sound policies do not infringe upon the anointing working in the saints of
God; they actually enhance the anointing making the individuals able to function at peak performance.
One thing that is required of servant/leaders when structure is in place is humility. Humility is the willingness to submit to the
Word of God and to the policies and procedures that help to govern the church. Humility recognizes that one of the
strengths of the church is its ability to operate smoothly and without friction between the servant/leaders. It leads you into
the love walk of Jesus with others, it tends to eliminate competition between servant/leaders, and it leads you to make
decisions with the overall good of the church in mind. The humble servant/leader rejoices because his/her church is
successful and efficient.
Gifted and talented servant/leaders called by God sometimes fail to achieve their potential simply because they refuse to
submit to structure and resist the order the local church must have. This is unfortunate. This is not you. Determine to walk
in submission to the Word of God and to the guidelines set in place within your local church. You will experience the joy of
the Lord as you do and His peace will be yours in abundance.
QUESTIONS ON SETTING THINGS IN ORDER
1. How do you know that God is a God of order?
2. Without order there is ___________ and often ___________.
3. Order brings clarity to what each member…
4. The task each of us has is to understand _________________________ of the order of our church and how our
_____________________ fits into the grand plan.
5. Sound and wise policies do not infringe upon the ___________ at work in the saints of God, they enhance that anointing
making the individuals…
6. Describe the word humility:
CASE STUDY
”Jed” and “Mary” are Sunday school teachers in their church. Each is gifted to teach and each does wonderfully at it. They
have been in the church for several years and are viewed as pillars of the church.
Their pastor utilizes several reporting forms in the church, one of which is called a Meeting Summary. Each leader is
required to complete this form after each meeting so the pastor can keep abreast of who is attending the various meetings
of the church and he can maintain a pulse of each department. Neither Jed nor Mary can seem to get this form handled
properly. Neither can see the need for such administrative burdens deeming them to be non-spiritual; therefore, they resist
using the form.
As a result of their refusal to comply with the pastor’s guideline, there is a constant, subtle undertow of rebellion in the
church. These two teachers view repeated requests by the pastor as excessive and troublesome. What neither seems to
understand is that due to their leadership positions, their rebellion is literally seeding rebellion and confusion into their
church. They are the “doors” through which these demonic powers have entered. If repentance is not forthcoming by these
two, destruction and division will most certainly occur. This destruction will occur individually in these two as well as in the
church corporately. Need we emphasize that such destruction is needless since a simple repentance would solve this
problem?
The servant/leader must view his/her role in light of the overall church. Jed and Mary would do well to re-think their role as
teachers if they find they are unable to follow the prescribed guidelines of their spiritual authority. Remember: the house
divided cannot stand!
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LESSON #7 - BUT I AM A VOLUNTEER
One of the greatest challenges at the local church level is the fact that it is an organization almost entirely driven by
volunteers. Many servant/leaders take their responsibilities seriously and perform their volunteer tasks with diligence and
care. However, this group seems to be the exception rather than the rule, sadly enough. When senior pastors are polled,
one of the problems most frequently mentioned is that by and large volunteers are lacking in diligence in their serving.
For the sake of our study, let’s compare our serving in the local church with the military. The military is now comprised
entirely of people who have volunteered for service. But once a young man is accepted and he begins training, he quickly
find that even though he is a volunteer conformity is required to the accepted way of doing things in the military. At that
point there is a change in what is “voluntary.” He cannot treat his assignments with a volunteer’s mentality but he must
perform according to military standards. So it should be in the local church.
When “Jim” volunteers to mow the church lawn on an ongoing basis he has set in motion the accepted means by which that
task gets done. If relatives happen to visit unexpectedly this does not forego his responsibility to mow the grass. Some
volunteers wrongly believe that since they volunteered in the first place, that continued excellence and diligence in the task
is also voluntary. It is not. It is mandatory. Volunteering is merely the sign-up for the task, once the job is accepted,
commitment is required by that servant/leader. He/she must reject the notion that to do the job right is also voluntary.
When the volunteer army of workers in the church rises to its potential and labors diligently under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, the local church is a beautiful thing to behold. As a servant/leader commit yourself to faithfully carrying out your
agreed upon tasks. Jesus is pleased as you do this, and your church functions smoothly as well. I encourage you to decide
right now that there will be in you no “volunteer mentality!”
QUESTIONS ON BUT I AM A VOLUNTEER
1. Explain the term “volunteer mentality.”
2. Volunteering is merely the sign-up for the task, once the job is accepted, ______________ is required by the
servant/leader.
3. When the volunteer army of workers in the church rises to its potential and _____________ under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, the local church is a _______________________ to behold.
4. As a servant/leader commit yourself to ____________carrying out your agreed upon tasks.
5. Who is pleased when you faithfully fulfill your duties?
6. List the tasks you perform in your church and then evaluate yourself on each task checking to be sure that no “volunteer
mentality” exists in you:
CASE STUDY
“Lester” accepts the task of heading up the cleaning crew in the church. He himself is a diligent and faithful man. In his
diligence he develops a good working schedule for the men and women who have volunteered to help him clean. Initially,
Lester is able to procure adequate help from those who signed up to help him. However, within a short period of time he
finds himself carrying about 75% of the cleaning load.
Lester faithfully continues cleaning while attempting to recruit helpers. But with each passing week he is becoming more
and more discouraged with his brothers and sisters in Christ who are failing to live up to their commitments. This grows into
resentment and judgment, as well as, resulting in a near state of burnout for Lester. Eventually Lester gives up on the task
altogether and leaves the church.
Here are some of the excuses Lester heard from his crew: “I’m just too busy with my family and job.” or “Saturday’s are my
only day to sleep in or relax or go fishing.” or “I don’t feel called to help in that way.” The question here is not whether
these are valid reasons, the fact is the people who are giving these reasons committed to doing a job and yet they failed to
follow through on their commitment. They have exhibited the classic “volunteer mentality.”
Can you see how the fabric of the church is weakened by this spiritual disease? Perhaps this remains at least one of the
reasons why the church of Jesus Christ has still to reach its potential as God’s manifested presence on the earth. As the
men and women of God awaken to their own importance to the church’s well-being and cast off this volunteer mentality, the
church will arise and fulfill its mission for the Kingdom of God. Jesus will be glorified as this happens.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
SELF-EVALUATION
INSTRUCTIONS:
Below please list each task that you have agreed to perform in your local church. Next to each task give the approximate
date you began doing that task. Tell why you started performing that task. (you were asked to do it, you saw the need and
filled it, you felt God instructed you to do so, etc.) And, lastly, honestly assess how you feel about continuing the task.
TASK #1
• What is my #1 task in the church?
• The date I began:
• The reason I started doing this task:
• How do I feel about what I am doing?
TASK #2
• What is my #2 task in the church?
• The date I began:
• The reason I started doing this task:
• How do I feel about what I am doing?
TASK #3
• What is my #3 task in the church?
• The date I began:
• The reason I started doing this task:
• How do I feel about what I am doing?
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU
1. How do I feel when the pastor and/or other church leaders fail to thank me or fail to give me adequate praise for my
labors in the church?
2. Do I find myself mentioning the tasks that I do in the church to others? _____ If so, under what circumstances does this
happen and why am I doing this?
3. Do I really look forward to doing my tasks or have they become a burden to me? _____ If not, when did things change
and for what reasons did they change?
4. Do I feel resentment toward others in the church who do not carry their “fair share” of the work load? _____ If so, what
should I do about it?
5. Can I really say that my life is in balance? _____ If not, then what can I do to bring balance to my life?
6. Do I have a true servant’s heart? ____ If not, then what should I do about it?
7. Do I have a team mentality? ____ If not, then what should I do about to solve this problem?
8. Can I really say with all honesty that I serve Jesus in my church in excellence? ____ If not, then how can I improve in this
area?
9. Do I really understand the vision of my church? ____ If not, how can I come into this knowledge?
10. Do I really understand how my roles help to fulfill my church’s vision? ______ If not, then how can I remedy this
ignorance?
11. Am I a team player or do I tend to “guard my turf?” __________ If not a team player, then what should I do to become
one?
12. If Jesus were to evaluate my performance right now, what areas would He desire for me to improve in?
| Equipped To Serve |
training church volunteers for effective Kingdom service