“All heart and no skills,” the pastor declared, with a big grin. He was looking at 9 volunteers who were ready to register the crowds that were set to stream through the doors.
He was kidding. Anyway, I hope he was kidding. The volunteers included several business owners, his own secretary, a lawyer, a PhD in church leadership, a computer geek who worked globally on a virtual task force, and a former YMCA volunteer coordinator. No skills indeed!
Still, all they had to do was give the guests a piece of paper, a pen, and a smile. Sometimes, heart is the best skill.
Back when I started as a missionary, about all that I had to offer was a smile. In a foreign language, I would not have been able to explain to the guests what the piece of paper was for, and I could not understand if they asked me for a pen.
My best role model was the missionary I had known in Belgium. He was the one who led me to the Lord. His French was atrocious, but people knew without a doubt that he loved them. He was a lot like Jesus. Jesus was able to carry on a theological discussion at the age of 12, but it was His love of people that took Him to the cross.
When your heart is totally dedicated to something, it can often make up for lack of skills — or it can lead to the development of skills. Jesus told us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself [Luke 10:27].”
The best volunteers in the church have their hearts in the right place. No question. BUT….
Are you discouraging volunteers who do have skills? Come back for Part 2 of “All heart, no skills.”