The Nature of Service

[Anonymous]

I have a question about service. I reflected on the volunteer work I did this weekend. First, painted a local roadside utility box with primer for an artist with my daughter. Then, went out and distributed marketing materials for a local non-profit I help. Helped a local entrepreneur market his business in tough location where businesses tend to fail by putting on 4 hour event on Sat evening. On Sunday, put in about 9 hours with a non-profit doing sound at an event that brings the local community together, setting up tents and carting heavy equipment around for their use, as well as handling performance logisitics and even performing myself as a volunteer. After that, crafted the basis for a partnership agreement with a non-profit on a large community beautification project for consideration by a Board of directors.

But when it was over, I found I’d really enjoyed myself. Felt really fulfilled. Connected to the people I was working with, recruited some volunteers, was challenged and used some skills I have that are unique. Went to bed exhausted but happy last night.

So, my question, Is it necessarily wrong to say “no” to service opportunities you find boring, in favor of ones that you find fulfilling and motivating? Naturally, I have substituted setting up chairs, home teaching, out-of-the-blue moving opportunities, and other more drugerous service opportunities in the church (an environment where I don’t feel accepted), for these kinds of activities in the first paragraph.

Assuming one does the service that is dutiful (such as helping people truly in need when necessary), is it wrong to pick and choose those service opportunities that give you the most joy? In or out of the church?

[Anonymous]

The thing is that it depends on who you ask and what your purpose is.

You have mentioned before that some close to you do not seem to value or validate community service as much as church service.

OTOH, there are also those (pretty much the whole outside world) that appreciates community involvement while poo-pooing church centric work.

[Anonymous]

Bingo. I feel I can stop thinking about this now with your answer. My attitude should be a lot like attitudes toward individualism in America and Japan. In America, it’s highly valued. In Japan, the nail that sticks up is knocked down. I need to view it as a cultural norm and not an absolute.

Thanks Roy. I feel I can move closer to putting this issue to rest and feel good about the service I give in the community as the expression of good character and kindness to fellow men and women.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

My attitude should be a lot like attitudes toward individualism in America and Japan. In America, it’s highly valued. In Japan, the nail that sticks up is knocked down. I need to view it as a cultural norm and not an absolute.

Yup. In the church there is this idea that you are under covenant to consecrate all that you have to build up the kingdom. The church culture would encourage community service as long as it doesn’t interfere with church service and extra bonus if it makes the church look good (Mormon helping hands).

Outside the church – even giving up two years of your life in full time missionary service is looked at sorta askew. They are not sure what to do with it and it is probably a neutral item with most people. If you had spent that time in the peace corps or national guard it would be looked at much more favorably. Many employers have hiring preferences for veterans.

At the moment I am serving with the 11 year old boy scouts. This allows me to have a church calling and is something that I can present at work as community involvement/service. It serves a dual purpose.

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