Does It Really Matter If I Volunteer?
by Mark Winner
There was never any question about how excited I was to be able to go to the Feast. My parents did a wonderful job of explaining the fact that God commanded us to keep the Feast (Leviticus 23:2, 34-44). They shared that the Feast portrayed a specific part of God’s plan of salvation, as did the Last Great Day. It took me a little longer to gain an understanding of what salvation meant, but I knew that if God said to go, it had to be important.
As a little boy, my excitement was largely focused on being with my family and friends—oh, and being out of school. It was not a difficult sell to convince me that the Feast of Tabernacles was far more exciting and rewarding than keeping Christmas. As far back as I can remember, wherever I attended the Feast, it was organized; things were done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40); and there were seemingly plenty of people serving in many different areas, all designed to help one another.
There were ushers, parking attendants, mothers’ room attendants, elders on anointing duty, people to clean up where it was needed, door greeters, people to help count the offerings, people who worked at the information booth, people who contributed to special music, people who volunteered to babysit so parents could enjoy a date night. There were people helping people everywhere I could see. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the culture I was growing up in and observing was teaching me the importance of love through volunteering and helping wherever there was need.
As the years passed, I, too, began to serve at the Feast—helping with ushering and parking, serving at the seniors’ luncheon, serving at the information area and serving on Family Day. Without giving it a lot of thought, I had followed in the footsteps of so many before me and made it a habit to serve in some capacity at the Feast.
This story probably isn’t something unfamiliar to many of you if you grew up in the Church. I was merely one of countless others doing exactly the same thing. But now, 35 years later and after 20 years of being a Feast coordinator, I have learned just how crucial it really is to the success and overall quality of the Feast to have loving, committed volunteers to help serve in all the different ways that are needed.
A group effort
Depending on the size of the site, a Feast coordinator likely has 12 to 25 department heads. Most of these departments require a number of volunteers. Some service areas may only require three or four volunteers, whereas others may need 50 volunteers, serving on different teams with lots of opportunities for fellowship. It quickly becomes clear to the individuals responsible for organizing the Feast site that part of the success of the Feast really does depend on the numbers and the attitudes of those serving.
Another lesson I was taught early in life that I have come to appreciate is the fact that we cannot outgive God. The more we give of ourselves to Him and His way of give (not get), the more spiritually fulfilled we become. Sometimes it takes getting our minds off of ourselves and onto things like:
- What is it that God wants me to do?
- How can I help others?
- Where is help needed?
- How can I provide that?
When we do this, we grow spiritually, our light shines brightly, and we help provide a much better experience for those who may really need our help.
When reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we are reminded of what love looks like. In many ways, it is the practical application of what a repentant heart looks like. This concept is reinforced throughout the Bible and, as with all things, modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ Himself: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). So with the inspired Word of God and the standard of Jesus Christ as our example, it’s important that we, too, exhibit the traits of a giver.
Serving where you are needed
You are likely aware that our Feast sites across the globe vary considerably in size. But you may not be aware of the challenges some sites experience regarding volunteers. For example, if you attend a large site, you will typically notice many people helping those in need—and you may even participate as a volunteer yourself. At smaller sites, however, there can be very few people able to help with the elderly or parking or ushering. Several years ago, when I was coordinating one small site, I shared with my wife that, with all the families and young adults choosing to attend a beach or mountain site, pretty soon we were going to have people in wheelchairs pushing people in wheelchairs to the meeting hall at this site! Now that was a slight exaggeration, but it certainly struck me how much I appreciated those who were there to help others who really needed the help.
Obviously, we all enjoy attending a Feast site that is on the beach or in the mountains or at a popular destination. Indeed, the Feast planning team tries to look for sites that will be pleasant for all ages. But it may never have dawned on you how much you would be needed and appreciated at a smaller site.
Perhaps talk it over with your spouse and consider attending and serving at a smaller, less popular site every third year or so. You’ll likely find the experience to be something wonderful. If we all chose to practice this, the odds are that each Feast site would have the volunteers it needed every year. The truth is that when we serve God’s people, we serve God as well (Matthew 25:40).
When you register for the Feast, you’ll have the opportunity to volunteer to serve. Consider the blessing it is to others and, by extension, to yourself when you choose to serve. It is an honor to serve our spiritual family and a blessing to be able to. Wherever you choose to attend the Feast this year, please remember to volunteer.