Ministry Needs You.

It Is Volunteers In The Local Church That Drive Gospel Outreach: Consider Finding Your Place in Full-time Volunteer Ministry

A powerful partnership emerges between pastors, physicians, and the church membership in medical ministry. As described in a previous post, they form a three-legged stool—a sturdy support system for advancing the gospel and meeting the community’s needs. As we have stated previously, without any of these legs, the structure collapses, highlighting the indispensable role of each team member. The current part-time volunteers in the church carry the work of the gospel forward and provide an incredible blessing, giving their time and talents to run divisions, support ministries, and engage in outreach efforts, as well as community projects. Their contributions ensure the church’s daily operations run smoothly and that the gospel reaches local and global audiences.

Yet, there may be an even greater opportunity for carrying forward the work of the gospel for some members who can do it: the concept of becoming a full-time volunteer who can dedicate themselves entirely to the church’s mission for a specified time. With their ability to focus on the church’s work, these individuals can inspire and energize the church body by their example, helping to carry the work of the gospel forward with unmatched focus and dedication. This article will explore why church member volunteers—especially full-time volunteers—can be vital to the church’s mission and why dedicating a year or two to service can be a blessing to the church and a life-changing opportunity for the individual.

The Church’s Role in the Team

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America comprises approximately 1.2 million members. This massive collective is the foundation for spreading the gospel, a part of which is communicated through the health message. Pastors alone cannot carry the entire burden, and evangelistic physicians working with those pastors, if they are without the devoted workers of the church, cannot fulfill the mission either. It is the church membership that carries the gospel forward to the world, embodying the principles of Christ’s love in action. Every member has a role to play, Every member is a missionary, and every member is called to be a medical missionary. And some may be called to a unique and transformative level of commitment: full-time volunteer service.

The Power of Full-Time Volunteers

Full-time volunteers are a special group within the church. Their complete devotion to the mission allows them to inspire and energize the broader membership. By stepping out in faith and dedicating their time, they set a powerful example that can move others from out of the pews and into the community. Full-time volunteers can:

• Inspire the Church Body: Their visible commitment motivates others to take action, showing that service is not just a calling but a lifestyle.
• Bring Focus and Dedication: By being “locked in” to the mission, they can fully commit to advancing the church’s work without the distractions of other obligations.
• Strengthen the Church’s Mission: Their dedication helps bridge gaps in ministry, from health outreach to youth programs, ensuring the church operates effectively.

Opportunities to Serve

Opportunities to serve as a full-time volunteer abound. From domestic outreach to international missions, there is a place for everyone willing to answer the call. The North American Division’s website, HeSaidGo.org, provides one resources and listings for mission service opportunities. Whether you feel called to work within the United States for a year or serve internationally for two years, the possibilities are endless.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering full-time not only advances the church’s mission but also transforms the lives of those who serve. Here are some of the profound benefits:

1. Spiritual Growth: Immersing yourself in prayer, Bible study, and service deepens your relationship with God.
2. Purposeful Living: Being part of something bigger than yourself brings a sense of fulfillment and direction.
3. Joy in Serving Others: Meeting the needs of others without seeking compensation helps you reflect Christ’s character.
4. Skill Development: Volunteers gain valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.
5. Broadened Worldview: Serving in diverse settings fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of the world.
6. Mentorship and Networking: Working alongside pastors and leaders provides invaluable mentorship and connections.
7. Joy Through Sacrifice: Selfless living brings a unique happiness and fulfillment.
8. Faith Strengthened by Challenges: Overcoming obstacles in ministry builds resilience and trust in God.
9. A Witness for Christ: Your life becomes a testimony, inspiring others to seek Christ.
10. Leave a Legacy: The impact of your service creates a ripple effect, influencing lives for generations.

Why the Church Needs Volunteers

Full-time volunteers are vital to the church’s ability to fulfill its mission. They:

• Advance the Mission: Volunteers extend the reach of pastors and leaders, allowing the church to engage more effectively with communities by amplifying their efforts in both scope and scale. Their presence enables the church to organize and implement programs that would otherwise be impossible with limited paid staff. Volunteers bridge the gap between vision and execution, transforming ideas into practical, impactful actions that touch lives and fulfill the gospel mission.
• Fill Critical Ministry Gaps: Many churches lack the resources to fully staff their ministries; volunteers fill these gaps.
• Inspire the Congregation: Volunteers set an example that encourages others to step up and serve.
• Build Long-Term Growth: Their efforts lay the foundation for the church’s future sustainability and success.
• Foster Community Engagement: Volunteers help connect the church to its local community through outreach, service projects, and partnerships, making the church a visible and trusted presence.
• Create New Ministry Opportunities: With their time and talents, volunteers often launch innovative programs and ministries that address specific needs within the church and the community.
• Strengthen Intergenerational Bonds: Volunteers bridge generational gaps by mentoring youth and working alongside older members, fostering unity within the church body.
• Enhance Worship and Spiritual Life: From music to prayer ministries, volunteers enrich the spiritual life of the church, creating vibrant and meaningful worship experiences.
• Develop Future Leaders: Volunteering provides a platform for leadership development, equipping members to take on greater roles within the church and beyond.
• Support Crisis Response: In times of natural disasters or community emergencies, volunteers mobilize quickly to provide relief and demonstrate Christ’s compassion.

The Ideal Duration of Service

For those considering full-time service, the question arises: how long should you commit? While the North American Division allows only one-year volunteer terms in the United States due to labor laws, two-year terms are possible for overseas missions. The two-year model is especially impactful:

• Year 1: Learning: Volunteers spend the first year understanding their role and gaining necessary skills.
• Year 2: Leading: The second year allows them to maximize their impact and mentor others.

For domestic service, ministries must navigate labor laws carefully to ensure compliance. U.S. labor laws classify any volunteer who works for the same nonprofit organization beyond one year as a full-time employee, requiring that organization to pay minimum wages, provide benefits, and comply with all employment laws. This regulation aims to prevent worker exploitation but can pose significant challenges for church ministries reliant on volunteer labor.

Navigating Labor Laws: Case Examples

One ministry in the U.S. attempted a multi-year volunteer program but faced unexpected complications. After functioning for some time, labor officials reviewed the program and reclassified their volunteers as employees, imposing back pay requirements and benefits retroactively. The resulting financial strain led to the ministry’s closure and lingering debts for the organizers.

Another organization found out about these labor laws prior to the end of their first year in ministry and tried a workaround by transferring volunteers to a different nonprofit after their first year. While this temporarily addressed the issue, it was flagged by concerned church treasurers as it could appear designed to circumvent employment laws. The local conference treasurer advised against continuing this practice.

Conversely, some religious organizations have successfully secured special exemptions from Congress, allowing volunteers to serve for two years domestically without reclassification. One notable example involves a church with a long-established culture of volunteerism and a robust legal team. This church approached Congress, presenting a case that outlined their desire for extended volunteer service for their members. In the discussions that followed, their legal team must certainly have highlighted the unique nature of their volunteers’ commitment and demonstrated that these individuals were serving out of religious conviction rather than employment-related motivations. As a result, they were granted a tailored exemption for specific provisions of federal labor laws.  Unfortunatly, the way this exemption was written, no other organization would automatically qualify for the same exemption.

For the Seventh-day Adventist Church to achieve similar status, it would require initiating a legal effort similar to that taken by the church that already succeeded in their request. While this process would be resource-intensive, it could offer a pathway for the Adventist Church to enable extended domestic volunteer opportunities also, without risking legal complications. However, it would require a commitment from church leadership to prioritize this effort.

Navigating these complexities for utilizing volunteers for extended service in ministries in North America requires planning and diligence, but awareness and preparation can help ministries continue their vital work while remaining compliant with U.S. labor laws.

A Call to Action

If you are at a point in your life where full-time service is a possibility, I encourage you to prayerfully consider it. Whether for a year in the U.S. or two years abroad, this experience can change your life and the lives of countless others. Imagine being part of a movement that not only transforms communities but also strengthens the church body for its ultimate mission: to share the love of Jesus with the world.

Answer the call. Be the hands and feet of Christ. Volunteer full-time and experience the joy, growth, and fulfillment that comes from being part of something eternal.

The author invites you to comment on this article. Whether you agree or have a different perspective, please enter your comments in the space below.