Above All (Pentecost 10C)

 Have you ever been in an organization where leaders were burned out? I have. Trying to get any new ideas through to changemakers is so difficult it affects everyone around them. Motivation is minimal, and anger is a low level mood, all the time. It’s difficult to be in that environment. Who wants to work for someone like that? Why would volunteers join that kind of organization? 

To make matters worse, when you go home, the apathy and irritation follow you. So many modern symptoms of burnout can be found everywhere. We are all burned out to one degree or another, having lived through a global pandemic and economic volatility that is only supposed to be around once in a generation. 

Are our leaders ok? Are the people serving the church ok… really? We are meant to be authentic here, and if there’s anyone to be straightforward with, it’s those who see you regularly. Our overindulgent culture is maybe a sign we’ve gotten too off-track too with what matters - overeating, overworking, overspending - when we need to listen to our scripture again, this time in the Contemporary English Version: 

“Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins. Welcome people into your home and don't grumble about it. Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. If you have the gift of speaking, preach God's message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.”

We need to know what each of the gifts are that God has given to us. Or if you know, speak up, reach out to make those gifts available. I understand burnout happens, Lord knows it’s happened to me. But I discerned my gifts, found where I was needed, and walked in faith right here to Bethany church to be in front of you for the last 16 months. 

Not only that, we need to know how to take care of ourselves. We as a people of faith, usually want so much to give to others that we do so forgetting about our own needs. Some churches may even preach that it’s biblical to do so. But I am here today, telling you that God cannot use you if you are not giving your full potential. God needs you to be rested, full, and whole to be able to use and give back to his glory. This is why we have the example of Sabbath rest. It is holy to rest. Do not forget that. We need to have downtime so that we are not just going through the motions of what others want. That does not sound intentional… if we are to do the will of God, we need to be intentional about knowing what that is! 

Not only do we need to rest, but we need to fuel ourselves properly, and not just with the food we eat, but with the people we surround ourselves with, the media we consume. Do you find yourselves in loops sometimes of negativity? Maybe that needs to be a sign to get out and take a walk, whether around the driveway or around the neighborhood. Maybe it means to get a drink of water… water soothes so many things, can be seen as filling yourself with holiness. Maybe it means turning off the TV and opening your bible to read some scripture to uplift and encourage you. Maybe it means calling a friend and encouraging them to join you in some of these very things and checking on them. 

Ultimately, what it comes down to, is what would this church be without our volunteers? Now that’s a scary question. What if everyone stopped serving. I hate to even put those words out there - it might come true! We have a fantastic group of people who give their time, talents, gifts, and service whenever there’s a need. But I’d like to see more of you jump in. Those of you who help - do you feel supported? Do you feel encouraged? Or is it just - something to do? Have we had a mediocre program for volunteers that doesn’t encourage high-capacity leaders to join? 

Carey Nieuwhof says that those high-capacity leaders stay away because they are not nourished enough in the work to stay. Even beyond that, it’s hard to recruit volunteers for the reasons that I’ve talked about. Carey also came up with five questions that those who serve have but sometimes can be too polite to ask. So - let’s consider these questions. 

First - are the relationships around here healthy? This is an important question and I’m glad that he asked it first. Because no one wants to walk into a situation where they will be expected to bend over backward in the first meeting. I think I’ve done some of that to a few of you, and for that I’m sorry. I want to make sure everyone in here knows that you are welcome to serve as much or as little as you like. I don’t want anyone to feel like they need to volunteer for anything they don’t want to. The other reason it’s an important question is because no one wants to walk into a meeting where new perspectives are offered. I heard a quote that is so relevant - leaders who can’t be questioned can do unquestionable things. Let’s always be open to new perspectives on how to do and be the church. 

Second - will serving help me grow spiritually? My answer is this - I sure hope so! Many people find that giving is just a path to depleting their energy and burnout. But in our service, the hope is that it is a way of restoration! When we give our lives away, that’s when we can find where our hearts are! So - if you are dreading what you’re giving your energy to, then maybe it’s not where your gifts or calling are. Maybe you need to rethink how you serve. Being around people who have similar values and interests may be a way to support them and offer encouragement as a way of beginning spiritual conversations. But how? Pray for them. Pray with them. Share your stories. Encourage them, and be a mentor. 

Third - am I just a means to an end? This can seem like your time is not really being fruitful and working towards the benefit of all. Nobody likes feeling used, but unfortunately, many volunteer coordinators tend not to value the contributions of those who give their time, talents and more. Is there an answer to this - yes - we must CARE - really care about those who serve. Value the contribution, and let them know that their service has a purpose. 

Fourth - will the church help me develop the skills I need? 

This is where many churches, including Bethany, can fall short. I believe we have great leaders in our congregation and throughout all our ministries. But when it comes to leader development, this is hard to accomplish when you don't have the structures in place. What's the difference between a grocery store and a church? One is selling products that will break or be used up. The other is providing hope, community and life transformation that will last to the ends of the earth. So why isn't the church the best at recruiting, training, and releasing people into where they are called to be? In our quest to be disciple-makers, we can skip the steps of how to be a disciple, and that’s where our messages can be somewhat shallow. “Come here to my church - it’ll change your life!” Either that or it puts too much pressure on the pastor and staff to be the ones teaching, when everyone here is capable of spreading their story of how Christ transformed them. They’re probably more compelling than mine!

And last, but not least important - am I signing up for life? Carey suggests that stepping forward to serve can be a lot like the old Eagles’ song Hotel California - you can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave. Just because you are in a role doesn’t define the rest of your life - in fact, mentoring someone to replace you is healthy! Maybe if we started with defined limits when we ask people to serve it would be important. 

Every church and nonprofit needs volunteers - it’s kind of wrapped up in their model. But, maybe we could make sure that the people feel like there are rules around their giving so we don’t end up taking advantage. Because when that happens, whether time, money, talent or otherwise - they’ll be less likely to give in the future. I know we have a great crew here, and I want to make sure that our hands are well-rested and willing to give all they can for the Kingdom. 

    Do we have a big enough challenge here? Do we need to take another look at the vision of Bethany church? Do we not have enough accountability? This may be why people leave. But, blessings to you who stay, even during the tough times. This scripture today is meant to offer encouragement to those who need it, when giving just seems like too much. 

    Thank you all for your service, and may it grow in the future. Above all, let us show our love, because our gifts are how we bring people into a relationship with God. 

Amen.