Acorn Build Up: Guest Encourager (10/26)

I'm thrilled to share this "stage" with my friend, Bill Allison! He eats, sleeps, and breaths encouragement, so I know we're in for a treat. Bill's ministry is Cadre Ministries which has played a HUGE role in encouraging me and Acorn Ministries. I asked him if he'd like to serve as a "guest encourager". I hope you enjoy Bill's thoughts:

I Hate "Volunteers"
by Bill Allison

The words we use are full of connotations. Would you rather buy a “pre-owned” car—or a “used” car? See what I mean? It’s the same car, but, depending on which words are used, the connotation is different.

While I love the concept of someone freely giving their time and talents to serve in a church without pay, the term “volunteer” when used in the church often seems to carry a connotation of “second best” or “not really that important.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a wonderful, committed, effective non-paid servant in a church refer to him or herself as “ just a volunteer.” Non-paid workers in the church have subconsciously picked up on the very unbiblical connotation that they are “ just volunteers.”

I believe the Bible clearly teaches that EVERY Christian is a full-time minister. (Do your own Bible study on the priesthood of the believer and start with Ephesians 4:11-12.) Therefore, I don’t like the term “volunteer” when used in a church context! We need a new term for volunteers in the church—one that doesn’t contain the second-class baggage.

The “Ministry Partner” Revolution
When speaking of someone who generously gives time to serve Jesus in a church but doesn't get paid for it, I propose we start using the term “ministry partner.” If enough of us get on board with this terminology, we might be able to exchange the word “volunteer” along with its less desirable connotations for the much more biblically accurate and dignifying term of “ministry partner.” Who knows, people who graciously serve in the church without compensation might quit acting like "just volunteers" and might start acting like… "ministry partners." The potential ramifications for mobilizing the latent volunteer power sitting (literally) in our churches could be revolutionary.

Once we’ve conquered the term “volunteer” and replaced it with “ministry partner,” we can move on to changing the term “committees” to “teams” or perhaps to my personal favorite, “cadres.” This, too, would be revolutionary. However, for now, let’s take one revolution at a time. And by the way, I don’t like volunteers—I mean “ministry partners”—I LOVE them!

What do YOU think? I welcome your response: bill@cadreministries.com

Cadre Ministries
Equipping Churches to Make Volunteers Wildly Successful
<http://cupojoewithbill.blogspot.com>