Pastor To The People
Volunteer (vŏlˌən-tîrˈ) A person who renders aid, pertorms a service, or assumes an obligation voluntarily. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). It is during Thanksgiving and Christmas that I reflect on this word and what it means in the life of Woodhaven and especially The Lillian Beard Deaf Connection Center. Basically, the church is a volunteer organization under the direction of the staff. Without volunteers, we simply could not function and do what we do in ministry.
The word "volunteer" is closely related to the word "serve." We know that the entire Bible is filled with verses that teach the concept of service. One example is found in Ephesians 6:7 which says, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people..."When God led us to open The Lillian Beard Deaf Connection people we did not have funds to hire staff. By faith we moved forward to fill these position with volunteers. The people responded! Under the direction of Kelly Reagan, Marisol Martinez, and Ashly Martinez we have over twenty volunteers that teach classes, clean the facility, prepare food, fix and repair, perform case work, and many other duties. These volunteers are drawing many deaf people from the community into the church. The Deaf-Center is truly a "Gateway" into Woodhaven for ministry, and receiving the Word of God. God is truly blessing Woodhaven because of those who volunteer.
Thank you, volunteers, for giving and giving again. lt is truly Thanksgiving and Christmas all year here at Woodhaven.
Ways You Can Help Your Pastor
Here are some practical ways you can help your Pastor
- Pray for him and his family
- Give him spiritual support
- Confirm his leadership
- Submit to his leadership
- Help him develop his ministry
- Leave him time for his duties
- Relieve him of details
- Appreciate his long range planning and vision
- Inform him
- Be faithful in attendance
- Volunteer for some unique service
- Help in practical ways
- Respect his privacy