The People Bank
Church work, like housework, is never done. There's always something more that needs doing.
That fact scares volunteers, who are afraid of offering themselves to the church and finding the time demands more than they can afford.
A "People Bank" solved the problem at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland. Rhonda Visser, community services director, realized many church ministries needed help for just a few hours a month.
"We told the congregation that Rhonda needed commitments for one to three hours a month from 25 people," says Pastor James Londis. "To our surprise, 45 people signed up. Apparently, when members know in advance exactly how much time they are committing, they are willing."
The short-order ministries include
• picking up used furniture and delivering it to needy families,
• tending an elderly invalid so her son can have a morning off,
• sorting and putting away canned goods collected by the church children for the needy,
• providing transportation for elderly folks to doctor's appointments.
"We now have over 60 people we can contact for short-term ministries," says Visser. "I promise to call them only once a month, and I send out thank-you notes periodically to those in the People Bank. Those two things have helped make it successful."
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