Volunteerism and the Cult of Self

The DVD series Bridges explores the challenges of building gospel bridges to the LDS community. In

one session the narrator notes that within the the LDS community volunteering is considered a prideful act. This stands in sharp contrast to the Protestant tradition were churches solicit volunteers and even chastise people for not volunteering to staff its ministries. In essence churches ask their people to self-identify and self-validate their giftedness. This is out of sync with Paul's description of the Body of Christ in Romans 12.

The Body of Christ metaphor with Christ as its head values every part (member) of the body because every part is essential to the body's functioning. Different parts play different roles; every role has the same value. Depending on your tradition, the role of elders and deacons is to guard the gospel, nurture faith within the community, and equip people for works of service. This involves assessing and validating the gifts of those present for the building up of the body of Christ. The North American church's culture of volunteerism is a reflection of Western individualism that unintentionally fuels the cult of self as a substitute for authentic community.