Volunteers Encourage This Pastor

There is nothing that excites me more than watching our church members dive in up to their elbows as they work around the church. We're all familiar with the Pareto Principle that says, "20% of the people do 80% of the work;" but I am blessed to pastor a church where our percentages are much higher. About a month ago, the work started as we began preparing for our Homecoming service. Our church family worked outside as they cut grass, trimmed bushes, spread mulch/pine straw, edged sidewalks, pulled weeds, reworked flower beds, and more! Inside they cleaned the Worship Center, painted, dusted instruments, oiled the wood on the pews, washed nursery curtains, replaced torn speaker cover, reworked our baptism changing rooms, and more! I can't even begin to tell you all that went on around here, but I know that people enjoyed each other's company and enjoyed caring for the Lord's house.

The volunteers didn't stop working after Homecoming, but instead they picked up on additional projects. A group started preparing a brand new flower bed that will spell out "EMMANUEL" and they picked the coldest, windiest day to lay the ground cover; but they enjoyed each other's company and are still telling stories. Another group came out to decorate our church for Christmas and spent two days tying bows, hanging garland, and decorating trees. It looks beautiful! Some of our men (1 deacon in particular) installed new lights in our gymnasium, which was a first step as we prepare to turn the old stage in our gym into a theatrical set for our children's & youth ministries. On another day, some of our men planted trees and our ladies taught classes in tying bows and making gingerbread houses. I apologize to those that I didn't mention, but there are volunteers out here all the time doing work that I don't even know about.

Now don't misunderstand...I didn't say we have 100% of our people involved and volunteering, but we have a large percentage. I believe that's why we have such a great church, because many people are rowing the boat and very are rocking it. Even we have a few, but we love them anyway and invite them to pick-up an oar and start rowing with us at any time. When people love their church, they want to build it -- not break it; and we all must realize that we only get out of a church (or any other organization) whatever we put into it.

THANKS to all of our wonderful volunteers! This pastor greatly appreciates ALL you do!