IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: THE HEART OF A VOLUNTEER

Before we go any further, let us make one thing crystal clear: true volunteers are not victims. They never served for applause, position, or power. They served from love. Their reward was and always will be the honor of helping others and laying down their lives in cheerful obedience to Jesus Christ.

They are not bitter. They are not self-seeking. They don’t need recognition, titles, or a spotlight. They were never in it for the “thank you.” They served because Christ served them first.

Volunteers aren’t looking for credit. But they are asking for justice—for the imbalances and abuses in the modern-day Church to be exposed and reversed.

Here’s what’s unacceptable: when pastors and leaders reap all the benefits—glory, money, vacations, influence—while the real servants of God sweat it out in the background, unthanked, unseen, and unpaid. That is not humility. That is spiritual theft. And it must stop.

If anyone gets the credit for the work of the Church—it better be King Jesus. And if anyone deserves honor here on Earth—it’s the ones who served without needing any.

“Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23

BURNED OUT AND USED UP

Let’s get one thing straight: if anyone has the right to be ticked off, it’s YOU. The Volunteers. The Greeters. The Set-Up Crew. The Tech Booth Warriors. The Ushers. The Coffee Makers. The Children’s Ministry Lifers. The Ones-Who-Never-Say-No. The early arrivers and last-to-leavers.

Article Eight - VOLUNTEERS & HELPS MINISTRIES — The Backbone That Got Betrayed

You were told to be faithful. You were told it was “serving Jesus.” But what you were really doing was building someone else’s brand while they were building their retirement.

You didn’t sign up for this mess. You were Lazarus, and they locked you in the tomb so they could polish their platform.

“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should the shepherds not feed the flock?” Ezekiel 34:2

THE FRAUD IS REAL — YOU WERE LIED TO

Let’s stop pretending this isn’t spiritual abuse. Because it is.

They told you to serve, but not to speak.
They used your gift, but ignored your grief.
They laid hands on you when it was convenient, but vanished when you were in crisis.

They took your help and gave you a back row. They cashed your tithe check and never once asked how your soul was doing. They made you think the church building was holy while you were just functional. They didn’t shepherd you—they hired you for free.

They ran you ragged. They loved your hands but never looked you in the eyes. They kept you in your lane, kept you in line, and told you this was “kingdom service.”

Let’s be blunt: if you had treated your staff at work the way church leadership treated you, you’d have been sued for harassment.

But you didn’t walk away. You loved Jesus too much. You showed up anyway. Sunday after Sunday, while pastors played golf on Mondays and vacationed on your sacrifice. You picked up their slack and laid down your life.

And the worst part? You thought that was normal. You thought maybe it was you.

But it wasn’t you. It was them. It was the system. And it’s about to be exposed.

“They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger.” Matthew 23:4

THE DOGE AUDIT: CHURCH SLAVERY EXPOSED

Let’s roll up the garage door and flip on the halogen light. DOGE just pulled up in the all-black Cybertruck and they brought the truth with them.

Audit mode: activated.

They start with a clipboard and a camera. They walk through the halls. They record what they see. Ten volunteers cleaning toilets with no pay, no thanks, and no covering. A tech guy doing twenty hours of sound checks while the lead pastor preps a 20-minute motivational speech with no anointing. Moms in the nursery weeping into goldfish crumbs while the men eat breakfast burritos on the stage.

They take notes:

“No prayer covering for the intercessors.”
“Security team being emotionally manipulated to serve 5+ hours.”
“Hospitality team not trained, not equipped, no spiritual care, burned out and bitter.”

Then they walk into the green room.

It’s stocked. Organic snacks. Massage chair. Flat screens playing golf. Soundproof walls so no one hears them joking during worship. Pastors lounging while volunteers bleed.

And DOGE asks one question: “Who’s really being served here?”

Let that question hang. It’s a scalpel from Heaven.

“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock.” Ezekiel 34:3

“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.” Matthew 15:8

HOLY REVERSAL — THE VOLUNTEER UPRISING HAS BEGUN

You are not invisible. You are not expendable. You are not a background character in someone else’s religious production. You are the Backbone of the Body of Christ—and God is about to strengthen the spine of His Church by raising you up.

What if I told you that everything you’ve endured—the burnout, the betrayal, the bruises—was preparation for a divine reversal? That the very things you were mocked for—your loyalty, your service, your behind-the-scenes prayers—were actually making you dangerous to the enemy?

Let me speak it plainly: The Kingdom of God needs you. Not in the shadows. Not in the basement. Not “just helping.” The Kingdom needs you leading, praying, casting out demons, healing the sick, discipling the next generation, and planting house churches that don’t look like performance halls—but upper rooms.

The tables are turning. The volunteer is about to become the vessel. The usher is about to become the intercessor. The greeter is about to become the deliverer. The sound guy is about to prophesy. The Sunday School teacher is about to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.

Your identity is not “helper.” Your identity is Holy Spirit-filled, blood-covered, armor-wearing, demon-crushing Kingdom son or daughter who’s done being used and is ready to be unleashed.

God’s going to flip the script. Not in anger. In justice.

“But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” Matthew 19:30

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

NOW ASK THE KING: WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

This is where your resurrection turns into reformation.

You’re not just being healed—you’re being commissioned. You’re not just walking free—you’re walking full of power. Now it’s time to look your King in the eyes and ask the most dangerous question a volunteer can ask:

“Jesus, what do You want me to do now?”

Not what your old pastor wants. Not what your old schedule demanded. Not what the church bulletin assigned. What does Jesus want?

Maybe He’ll say:

“Start the prayer team I asked for three years ago.”
“Gather the discouraged volunteers and start a house church.”
“Write the devotional that’s been burning in your heart.”
“Train a new generation of servants—ones who won’t be abused.”
“Serve the elderly. Teach the Word. Cast out demons. Bring deliverance to the nursery you once cried in.”

Whatever He says—do it. And don’t ask for permission. Ask for boldness.

You’re not a helper anymore. You’re a harvester.

“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

You’re not behind the scenes. You’re center stage in Heaven’s eyes. Now rise, take your place, and GO.

Lazarus, come forth. The Church cannot rise without you.