The Volunteer Revolution

This year I've set myself a goal of reading 15 books, both for enjoyment and for study.  I've just finished reading Bill Hybles excellent book entitled 'The Volunteer Revolution.'


Hybles is an outstanding writer and leadership expert and has authored or contributed to nearly 50 publications.  He founded and is a Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, Illinois where they gather over 20,000 people each week!  He was an advisor to Bill Clinton and is believed to be close to President Obama.  Needless to say he's a fairly big cheese with lots of experience to draw upon.


'The Volunteer Revolution' is a very easy read, full of testimonies of people who have served Hybles and the ministries at Willow Creek.  Testimonies that show God's blessings upon men and woman as they give out of their passions, skills and experience to serve their communities.  Hybles states that following Jesus' radical call to servant-hood is the only way to experience fullness of life and that happiness will never come through selfishness or self gratification.  Although as a Church we shouldn't be motivated to serve in order to 'get back,' the truth is that when we do serve, we do 'get back.'


How is this true?  Jesus said 'whoever would lose their life for me will find it' (Matthew 16:25).  In the kingdom of God, obedience leads to a blessing (Psalm 119:35).


I'd recommend this book to anyone thinking about volunteering (in any sphere) and to anyone who leads teams of volunteers.


I personally have the honour of leading an amazing team of about 20 volunteers in the ministry (Revelation) I lead at Bishops Stortford Community Church.  I've grown to admire the energy and commitment they show week after week, giving up valuable time to bless the young people under our care.  They are the true heroes of Revelation and I'm indebted to them.


In another of Hybles books, Courageous Leadership, he makes the bold statement that 'the local church is the hope of the world.'  I love this quote because it's true (Ephesians 3:10-11, Matthew 28:18-20).  However without volunteers, the church is like a car without petrol or a fire without a flame.  It's impotent and going nowhere.


Just as Jesus came to serve and not be served, let me encourage you; get involved in serving your local church, community or neighbourhood.  It'll be the best decision you ever make.

Pinky and the Brain

I used to love watching the cartoon 'Pinky and the Brain' when I was a child, a show that was centred around Brains extravagant plans to impact the world from his little cage that he shared with his not so clever sidekick Pinky! The show would always end with Pinky asking: 'What are we going to do today Brain?' To which Brain would reply...'We're going to try and take over the world!'

I’ve just finished reading ‘The Volunteer Revolution’ by Bill Hybles (book review to follow) and the one thing that really struck me was this:

What am I doing that will outlive me?

This question has challenged me to look at my life and see if it really counts for anything?  Of course to God, my family and friends; it does!  But if I were to die tomorrow what would be the legacy I would leave? 

On Sunday (19^th Feb) I preached at Bishops Stortford Community Church on the subject of God’s Big Story (http://www.thecommunitychurch.org.uk/resource/index.php).  I outlined how the Church is the fulfilment of the promise spoken to Abraham (Genesis 26) and how The Church has always been on His heart.  It has always been Gods plan to bring about a people from every nation, tribe and tongue for three main purposes: to worship Him, to bless one another and to serve this lost and broken world.

Surely, to quote Hybles again, the local Church is the hope of the world (Ephesians 3:10-11).

So what am I doing that will outlive me?  I’m doing my best to love Jesus, love the Church and to serve this world.  

In the coming weeks I'll take a deeper look at these three purposes and how they are helping me change the world that I live in.  Hopefully along the way I'll stir you to ask yourself: What am I doing that will outlive me?

Introduction

Hello!!

I’m Nic Lines, I'm 27, married and a Father. I love Jesus and His Church and lead the Youth work at Bishops Stortford Community Church. I have lots of passions in life but feel like I want to spend the majority of my time on this blog looking faith, leadership and life lessons! I hope you enjoy.

I wanted to start by explaining why I’m starting a blog. There are two main reasons:

1) I think I’ll enjoy it
I am a preacher and a thinker. I love to talk about my beliefs and theology. I love to debate and discuss. I enjoy deep conversations and looking at how what we believe impacts what we do. So I think that writing a blog will engage me and give me enjoyment!

2) I feel that I’ve got stuff to share
One day I’d like to write a book and so I guess this is the first step I’m taking towards that! Maybe you, as the reader, can help me to find out if writing is a gift I should pursue or not!!

Essentially the blog is for me! I do have lots of secondary reasons (such as being controversial, finding out peoples opinions and having a platform to discuss current events) but  these are the justifications that my posts will be founded on and motivated by. 

I’m aiming to blog at least twice a month and I’m very keen to keep the blogs short and interactive! So please join with me on my journey, get involved, comment, disagree and discuss but most importantly please do enjoy!

Nic