Lifestyle Standards for Volunteers?

These standards may work well for key leaders but they also can, and do, act as a possible barrier to reaching out to the community. I am thinking here of programs like Cadets and GEMS where my church attracts many children from unchurched families to participate. We take the conventional approach that only members of our congregation can be leaders of the various groups. This essentially shuts out the parents of these children from participating in the program and establishing a stronger relationship with the church. The lack of engagement of the parents is a missed opportunity of witnessing to them and potentially establishing a more personal relationship with them. Granted, all of the parents will not wish to become leaders but even a few of them getting engaged in this way is a positive accomplishment. Don't look at this Volunteer ministry covenant as a tool to protect the church and congregational values but as an opportunity for outreach and engagement.