A Disciple-Making Movement in Your Churchಮಾದರಿ

The Empowerment Myth (Filling Spots = Empowering People)

If someone approaches you after Sunday service and says, “I want to make a difference for Christ,” where do you direct them? You may respond, “That’s great! We need greeters at each door on Sunday. When can you sign up?” or “We are desperate for volunteers to watch the bed babies. When can you start helping?”

How you direct and place volunteers will tell you much about how you view serving and volunteering. Your invitation reveals your motivation. Most churches place volunteers based on where the greatest needs are. The hope is that the new volunteer can fill a spot in the church and alleviate a pain point that the staff is feeling.

This approach to volunteering and empowering people is the empowerment myth, which believes filling spots equals empowering people.

It’s always worth celebrating someone who moves from just attending on Sunday to serving at your church or in their community. It’s a significant maturity step, moving from consuming to wanting to contribute. But an important question for churches to ask when people indicate a desire for deeper involvement is whether we’re empowering them or just filling spots.

Filling spots is about matching a warm body with an organization’s need. Empowering people is about matching a personal gifting with a ministry opportunity. And the difference is massive. The first approach mobilizes people from a church-first mentality, while the second approach arises from an individual-first mentality. Volunteering and leadership development should not be about solving an organization’s pain but activating an individual’s potential.

A “filling spots” mentality perpetuates the problem a church is trying to solve. When you fill spots without considering the passions and gifts of your people, you’ll find short-term relief, but it won’t be sustainable long-term. The spot may be filled for now, but it will quickly open up again because serving and leading outside of someone’s design inevitably leads to frustration and disappointment. Serving and leading within their design, however, leads to fulfillment, joy, and impact. People will serve out of obligation for a season, but they will serve out of their calling for a lifetime.