KevinChilds.com

The ROCK is throwing a party Sunday night JUST for active Volunteers.  It’s a small way to thank them.  It’s free, and the idea is that those who do EVERYTHING on Sunday morning shouldn’t have to do much of anything at a BBQ party thrown in their honor.  If you didn’t get an invite or my email, please email me for details.

The heroes, the MVP’s, the folks who really make the ROCK roll are our Volunteers.  We have 3 1/2 paid staff members for a church with 500 (& growing) in attendance.  And I thank God for their skills and commitment.  But our REAL staff are the Volunteers who actually run the ministries of The ROCK.

Most folks haven’t the foggiest notion of just how labor-intensive a Sunday morning is for us.  Volunteers arrive before the sun does.  Every piece of the stage, every connected wire, every piece of kid’s equipment, every light, table, shirt, coffee cup and cookie is in place because a Volunteer staff member put it there.  And Volunteers take it all down and store it.  Images appear on screen because Volunteers project them.  Songs touch hearts because Volunteers sing, play, mix the sound, and set up speakers for them.  Kids hear about Jesus because KidZRock volunteers tell them.  Babies are loved (& don’t distract from worship) because Volunteers care for them.  Awkward episodes are handled, cars are watched, and children are safe because Volunteer Security secures them.  First Aid is immediately available because Volunteers provide it.  Attenders are made to feel welcome because Volunteers greet them.  Even that helpful worship guide found its way into your hand because a Volunteer folded and stuffed it, and another one handed it to you.

Behind the scenes? Other Volunteers are hosting and leading MyGroups.  Some are serving at The Shepherd’s Table or with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  Band members and vocalists are giving up an additional weeknight to practice.  Other Volunteers are coordinating things with paid Staff and with each other.  And Adrian Robertson – our Volunteer Coordinator – is recruiting, informing, and deploying new Volunteers.  I’m certain that I’ve absent-mindedly failed to mention some other volunteering heroes.

ATTENTION: IF YOU ATTEND THE ROCK AND ARE NOT YET A VOLUNTEER, YOU NEED TO BE BLOWING UP ADRIAN’S EMAIL INBOX (arobertson@sccoast.net) WITH OFFERS TO SERVE JESUS AS A ROCK VOLUNTEER.

We will inevitably have to turn some Volunteer positions into paid staff positions.   But even when our staff becomes a half-dozen, and then a dozen, and then … whatever, our ministry lifeblood will be our Volunteer Staff.  I thank God for you guys.  I look forward to seeing you working hard on Sunday morning … then partying hard (well, sorta) on Sunday night at Dirk & Michelle’s.