Community Services Volunteer
For more than 100 years the
Christ modeled for us the life of service. He "went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed." (Acts 10:38).
Christ identified with the poor and oppressed. "He fed the hungry and healed the sick. By the good He accomplished, by His loving words and kindly deeds, He interpreted the Gospel to men," comments Ellen White. "Christ's work in behalf of man is not finished. It continues today. In like manner His ambassadors are to preach the gospel and to reveal His pitying love for lost and perishing souls. By an unselfish interest in those who need help they are to give a practical demonstration of the truth of the gospel." (Welfare Ministry, pages 56-57)
God calls every man and woman to service. Every believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry. (Eph. 4:11-12) The church is a kingdom of priests set free to minister for Christ. Our priesthood is to each other within the church and to the world. A community services volunteer is a ministering servant of God.
Duties of a Community Services Volunteers
The program varies from place to place, based on local need. In about 500 cities and towns across the
Resource Materials
Two books by Ellen G. White best express the vision and philosophy of Adventist Community Services; Welfare Ministry (1952, Review & Herald Publishing Association) and The Ministry of Healing (1942, Pacific Press). You can obtain copies from your director or through an
Ministries of Compassion includes the guidelines and policies under which projects and centers associated with the Adventist Church are to be organized as well as a wealth of "how to" information. This new edition specifically for
Health Screening Handbook is the official program guide for the setting up of a van ministry, health fair, or other screening program. It is available from AdventSource (1-800-328-0525).
Disaster Relief Guide is the official guide for preparations to respond effectively in the event of a disaster in your community, call AdventSource at 1-800-328-0525.
Brochures on domestic ADRA Affiliates, the Adventist Refugee Ministry, How to Start a Community Services Center, and the Inner City Program, are available from the ADRA/North American Office at (301) 680-6437.
Information about additional resources and answers to your questions can be obtained through the denomination's "help desk" by calling (800) SDA-PLUS. A number of helpful fact sheets can also be obtained on the Adventist Forum on CompuServe or through the Fax Plus automated fax-back system. Dial (800) 474-4SDA.
Adopt a grandparent
Adoption services
ADRA volunteering
Advocacy program
Alcohol program
Baby care class
Bible study group
Big brother/sister
Blind camp
Blind services
Board member
Branch Sabbath School
Camping for children
Child care
Children's story hour
Clothing/bedding program
Community cupboard
Community surveys
Cooking school
Counseling services
Craft class
Deaf services
Disaster Response
Divorce recovery seminar
Domestic violence program
Door-to-door contacts
Drug abuse detox
Drug abuse prevention
Drug abuse rehabilitation
Families of prisoners
Family camping
Family counseling
Family finance seminar
Family life workshop
Field trips
Financial counseling
First aid class
Follow-up contacts
Food bank/pantry
Food distribution
Foster child care
Foster grandparenting
Free clinic
Fund raising
Furniture program
Grantsmanship
Grief recovery seminar
Handicapped services
Health appraisals
Health education
health screening
Home nursing
Home nursing class
Homeless shelter
Homemaker services
Immigration program
Information and referral service
Inner City Program
Intake desk
Inter-agency liaison
Interviewing clients
Job-finding service
Job training program
Layettes
Legal aid
Literacy tutoring
Literature rack
Marriage seminar
Meals on Wheels
Migrant ministry
Newcomer ministry
Operation Overcoat
Operation Paintbrush
Parenting seminar
Pathfinder Club
Preparing for Baby class
Prison ministry
Public relations
Receptionist
Refugee ministry
Runaway shelter
Self-help groups
Senior citizen group
Senior citizen lunches
Sewing class
Shoes for Little Shavers
Smoking cessation program
Soup kitchen
Stress seminar
Suicide prevention
Support group
Tax assistance
Telephone friend program
Transients aid
Transportation assistance
Tutoring
Vacation Bible School
Van ministry
Videos, educational
Visiting the aged
Visiting the sick
Weight control program
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