A VOLUNTEERS HEART

An Interview with Kyle Ballard

Q: How do you serve the church as a volunteer?

A: I like to think that I’ve structured my life in such a way that I have some availability to serve the church both on a short-term, as needed basis, as well as some longer-term commitments. With that being said, I have been a leader of the 5 thgraders during Wednesday night GLOW for the past couple of years. I’ve recently committed to fill a teaching vacancy in one of the adult bible fellowship classes. And I also serve as a member of the deacon body. I’ve previously sung in the choir, been a student bible fellowship leader, and served on the finance committee.

Q: How did you start volunteering?

A: I tried to take notice of areas of need, and listened to requests for help, then simply made sure that I let one of the staff or church members know I was willing and available. Beyond that, sometimes it’s as simple as just showing up, seeing a need, and jumping right in.

Q: How did you prepare to serve?

A: Well, I guess there are a couple of components to this question. Pragmatically, I first tell myself that I’m going to make serving a priority. That then leads to the need to clear some time in the schedule to be open and available to serve, and then make sure that the folks closest to you understand your commitment and the expectations that go along with it. Additionally, I had to be honest and flexible with myself and God to go where he leads. God has given each of us certain spiritual gifts, and often times we are called to serve in a way that utilizes and develops those gifts. However, we’re not to let that limit the ways in which we serve the church. God desires for us to step out of our comfort zone, and into faith. Sure, there are a number of areas of service that require a certain level of spiritual maturity, or even draw upon unique professional expertise, but there are many more ways to serve that only require us to be the clay in the Potter’s hands.

Q: How does serving the church help me live and love more like Jesus?

A: Jesus himself set the ultimate example of what it means to serve. In Philippians 2, it tells us to serve one another with humility, the way Jesus did, by giving up His rightful place in Heaven, and coming to earth to live as a man and making the ultimate sacrifice for my sin by dying on a cross. By humbly serving the church, I learn more about my Lord, and thus grow closer to Him.

Q: What’s your favorite part of volunteering?

A: Besides the latest T-shirt du jour, I’d say the joy of seeing the blessing God pours out on His church. I’m still learning this every day, but God’s not interested in what I can bring to the table, my finest garments are but dirty rags to Him. So if I will submit to His authority and do everything to the best of the abilities He’s given me, He will work in and through me to bring glory to His name.

Q: The most challenging part of volunteering?

A: For me, it’s that humble part. I don’t so much mind giving of my time and energy, but pride is always trying to creep in and mess up a good thing. The father of lies uses pride to try and tell me that if I serve the church well, then that makes me a good person, and if I’m a good person, then I must not need God’s mercies. You see, it’s a terrible downward spiral that is far from the truth. The truth is that I’m a sinner, deserving or God’s judgment, but because He loves me so much, He took my judgment upon Himself and adopted me as His own.

Q: What would you tell someone that is considering serving?

A: I love the imagery God gave us in Romans chapter 5, where it says that, as believers, we are the body of Christ. Much like our physical bodies are made up of many different parts, the church is made up of many different people with varying gifts and abilities. Every believer is called to serve one another, the church, recognizing that we’re not all called to the same service, but all service is important for the health of the entire body. So if nothing else, consider what the body of Christ may be missing when you’re not serving...are you a hand, a lung, a heart or even a hair follicle? Whatever your part, God would not have called you to the body if He didn’t need you to serve.