Are You Volunteering Or Serving?

As God’s missional disciples, we’re called to live out our faith in ways that reflect Christ’s love and purpose. This year, with our focus on knowing God intimately, serving sacrificially, and showing grace whole-heartedly, it’s important to understand the difference between volunteering and serving. While the two words might seem similar, they come from entirely different heart postures—one rooted in self, and the other in worship.

When we think about volunteering, it often comes with the mindset of helping out when we have the time or offering something we feel comfortable giving. While there’s nothing wrong with the idea itself, it can sometimes carry a subtle undertone of pride: “I’m doing this for others because I have something to offer.”

Serving, on the other hand, flips the script. It’s not about what we give but how we give it—humbly, sacrificially, and with gratitude. In the church, serving is more than pitching in; it’s an act of worship (Romans 12:1). It’s saying, “God, everything I have is Yours, and I’m honoured to be part of what You’re doing.”    

So, how does this connect with our goals this year? Let’s look at it this way:

1.            Knowing God Intimately: Serving flows from a relationship with God. It’s hard to serve wholeheartedly without first knowing the One we’re serving. When we spend time with Him—through prayer, worship, and reflecting on His Word—our hearts become aligned with His. It’s less about “doing” and more about being in His presence, letting His love guide our actions.

2.           Serving Sacrificially: True service requires us to go beyond convenience. It might mean stepping outside our comfort zones or giving more than we thought we could. But it’s not about what we lose—it’s about what we gain in the process: the joy of reflecting Christ’s humility and love. Jesus did not hesitate to wash His disciples’ feet or lay down His life for others (Mark 10:45), and we are called to follow His example.

3.           Showing Grace Whole-Heartedly: Let’s face it, serving is not always easy. People can be challenging, and our energy can run low. That’s where grace comes in. Grace reminds us to be patient, kind, and forgiving, just as God is with us. When we serve with grace, it’s not about having all the answers or being perfect—it’s about showing God’s love through small, genuine acts of care.

So, in the church, we don’t “volunteer” as though God needs our help. Instead, we serve because we’ve been given the incredible privilege of participating in His work. It’s not about what we offer - it’s about honouring the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. It’s about humbling ourselves and saying, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.”

This is not just about changing the way we speak—it’s about transforming our hearts and attitudes. By embracing a servant’s heart, we align ourselves with God’s mission and reflect His love to the world.

Let’s move forward together as God’s missional disciples—knowing Him deeply, serving Him joyfully, and showing His grace wherever we are.

Being His missional disciple,

Pastor Forest