Product Description

There is unprecedented spiritual openness in today’s society, and at the same time, increasing economic pressure on the resources of local churches. The solution lies squarely on the able shoulders of God-gifted volunteers. And they are ready for the challenge!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #218171 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780310252382
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"...As in most of his other books, this new volume from Hybels take a decidely practical approach as he explains and promotes a substantive Christian concept. He understands the church to be a community of people with a variety of abilities and attributes who are called to serve. Certainly the church has an important 'service' mandate to fulfill. This small book communicates the essential message clearly and compellingly." — Christian Week

(Christian Week )

From the Back Cover
The future of the local church is directly tied to its ability to attract, equip, and unleash the potential of volunteers in the church

Pastor Bill Hybels sees a new reality on the horizon. There is unprecedented spiritual openness in today’s society, and at the same time, increasing economic pressure on the resources of local churches. The solution lies squarely on the able shoulders of God-gifted volunteers. And they are ready for the challenge! Once trained, empowered, and inspired, record numbers of volunteers will take on all new levels of responsibility in the local church, creating a volunteer revolution that will transform churches and communities.

The Volunteer Revolution reveals how all of this can happen and how churches can unleash vast amounts of untapped potential. Through real-life volunteer stories, Hybels inspires church leaders in their role as equippers while motivating potential volunteers to align themselves with God’s mission to change the world.

The Volunteer Revolution is also available as an unabridged Audio Pages® CD.

About the Author
Bill Hybels (B.A. Trinity College) is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Willow Creek’s innovative ministries have made it one of the most attended churches in North America. Hybels has authored over 20 books, including, Fit to Be Tied, and Rediscovering Church (with his wife Lynne), Honest to God, Too Busy Not to Pray, and Courageous Leadership.

Customer Reviews

Good Idea, Bad Execution
The subtitle of The Volunteer Revolution is "Unleashing the Power of Everybody." When I picked up the book, I thought it would be chock full of suggestions for pastors about how to lead a volunteer revolution at their churches. But this book is long on inspiration and short on information. What this book did very well was cast vision for leading a church of energized volunteers. It communicated the importance of mobilizing people to meet needs. What the book did not do well-in my opinion, anyway-was to show how to make the vision a reality. There are suggestions scattered throughout the book, but what I need is a plan. So,thanks, Bill, for showing me why the volunteer revolution is necessary. But next time, please write a book with step-by-step guidance.

Strong on Inspiration, Weak on Implementation
I agree with another reviewer who in essence said this book paints a great picture of the value of volunteerism, but gives little instruction on how to recruit. Just about everyone who takes the time to read this title will admit that volunteer ministry is a very good thing and should be greatly applauded. The problem however, is that those of us who are leaders would appreciate Hybels doing more than just "preaching to the choir." The people needing to hear the message of this book are the very ones who won't be reading it.

I respect Hybels and have benefited enormously from his other writings. This title unfortunately, doesn't fit his previous high standards. While enjoyable and easy to read, this book provides little help to a frustrated leader with few volunteers.

A Practical Guide to Service
A key to the success of a local church, be it one of the major interlational religions or an independent church of its own is the work that gets done by their members. Bill Hybels, the senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church says that basically people want to volunteer. They want to find something in their lives that takes them beyond their daily job. It could be that they spend 8 hours a day operating a drill press or selling insurance, or designing a new bridge. But often, even usually this doesn't provide the fullfillment that they need in life.

Getting such people to volunteer by straping on a tool kit and helping to repair an inter city house, by asking them to help in a soup kitchen, or just ring the bell for the Salvation Army helps the church, the community and especially the individual volunteer.

More than just an appeal for service, this is a how-to manual on how to attract, motivate, and keep volunteers working. It is filled with practical hints, and clearly comes from years of experience.