Table of Contents

I. Serve Team Basics
     A. Introduction Letter
     B. GLC Values
     C. Volunteer Expectations
     D. Name Badges

II. Planning Center
     A. Setting up your account
     B. Mobile app use
     C. Desktop website use

III. Serve Teams
     A. Hospitality
     B. Kidlife
     C. Praise Team
     D. Media
     E. Set-up/Tear-down

Introduction Letter

When we think of "volunteer," we almost always think of a great cause.  Maybe it's a temporary situation, where a natural disaster devastates a population, and they need immediate hands on help for a few weeks.  Maybe it's a need that seems like it will always exist, like world hunger or caring for orphans.  But volunteer in the context of the Church has the greatest cause- the spread of the gospel to a lost world.

It's important to recognize a few things about your role as a volunteer at Grace Life Church.  First, your value is found primarily in Christ.  Jesus lived a perfect life during which He showed us how to serve, and because of His death and resurrection, we can serve empowered by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5).  Second, we desire to see you grow closer to God, which is why we provide service opportunities in the first place.  Serving causes the eyes of your heart to open in ways you may have never considered.  It is the training grounds where God teaches us true humility and love (Romans 12).  Third, you are loved not because of your service, but because you are an integral part of the body of Christ.  We have all been given different gifts but we are all connected as we serve the same God (1 Corinthians 12).  We encourage you to serve with a willing heart, and to talk to us if you are struggling.

As you step into the role God has designed for you, know that I am praying that He will continue to show you the extent of His love as He transforms you into the image of Christ.  My hope is that you will find peace and satisfaction in new ways as you find your place in serving God with the people of Grace Life Church.

In Him,

Ben Beck

(Three basics)

Our volunteers recognize the need to connect because of the gospel through Sunday morning services, LifeGroups, and other events in our community.

Our volunteers desire to grow in the gospel as they personally study the Bible as well as engage in discipleship groups.

Our volunteers take on God's mission to influence with the gospel in everyday life as they share Jesus with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Grace Life Church Values

Teach God’s Word Passionately

John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21

We value God’s Word as the ultimate authority in our lives.  We believe that the Bible was divinely inspired, and we frame everything we do against the standards and commands as set out in the Bible.

Gather Together Frequently

Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Acts 2:42-47

We value time spent with other believers as a source of mutual encouragement.  We believe God’s call to strengthen one another as we do life together, speaking Gospel hope into each others’ lives and sharing our burdens with one another.

Serve Others Selflessly

Galatians 5:13, John 12:26, Romans 12:9-13

We value the sharing of our gifts with both one another and with our community.  We believe we are each uniquely designed by God and personally have something to contribute to the church and community.

Give Cheerfully and Generously

Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:7-11, Deuteronomy 15:10

We value the opportunity to offer a portion of our finances to God.  We believe that God has provided everything for us for daily living and our loving response is to give back.

Pursue Jesus Daily 

Hebrews 12:1, Romans 12:1, Psalm 63:1

We value a close personal relationship with Jesus that encompasses all areas of life.  We believe that our drive toward personal holiness is found in Jesus’ example.

Share the Gospel Daily

Romans 10:17, Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 5:15-16

We value the mission God has given us to tell others about Jesus.  We believe we are called to speak the Gospel into the lives of our families, neighborhoods, and places of work.

Spread the Gospel Globally

Psalm 105:1, Matthew 28:18-19, Acts 13:47

We value the effort of bringing the good news of God’s salvation to all nations.  We support missionaries in their global efforts as they plant churches in places we may never see.

(*I don't think this is the most recent version)

Volunteer Expectations

All volunteers at Grace Life Church are expected:

- To exemplify Jesus in every deed, thought, and word; saturating your life with the Gospel of Jesus. (Colossians 3:17)
     The temptation to live a "churchy" life on Sundays when the rest of your week is empty is common.  We will never be able to live perfect lives as we struggle with our sin nature, but we can combat our sin nature by replacing those things that distract us with the truth of the gospel.  What we watch, where we go, how we speak. . . people are always paying attention.  We desire to come alongside our volunteers to help them exemplify Jesus in their daily life, not just on Sunday mornings.

- To help people live a Jesus-centered life by pointing them to Jesus. (Titus 2:11-12)
     As we learn more about Christ, we will find that we want to help others also discover the realness of Jesus.  We do this explicitly as the goal of our Serve Teams, but we also implicitly are doing this as we encourage one another while rubbing shoulders as we work together.  The good works that God has prepared for us is designed to take the place of those worldly pursuits and bring us closer to God, but the ultimate goal of that service is to show God's love to the world.

- To engage fully in the Discipleship Pathway (2 Timothy 2:2)
     Whether we recognize it or not, we are a disciple of something.  As a disciple of Jesus, we identify three pieces- connecting because of the gospel, growing in the gospel, and influencing because of the gospel- as a collective balance through which we mature in Christ. Serve Teams may have a bent toward one area or the other, but they are also only a part of what Grace Life is about.  Lifegroups, D-groups, Bible studies, family dinners. . . all of these are just as important as serving.

Planning Center Account

Once you have signed up for a serve team, your team leader will enter your information into Planning Center, which is the service we use to coordinate our volunteers.  You will receive an e-mail from Planning Center asking you to set-up an account.  Once you have done so, your team leader can begin scheduling you.  The video below will give you a specific glimpse at what this looks like.

Planning Center Mobile App

The mobile app is a convenient way to use Planning Center on the go.  The video below will show you how to sign-in to accept, and decline requests made in Planning Center.




The mobile app also allows you to set-up blockout dates as follows.

Planning Center Website Use (Desktop)

You can use the Planning Center website to accept and decline requests, either directly or through e-mail.  The following video explains in more detail.
 



You can also blockout dates in Planning Center to let us know when you will not be available, as follows.