How Best to Serve

I was on the web site of a leading West Michigan company this morning and saw this statement regarding their philosophy on helping to make the area a better place:  "Our employees and associates are encouraged to become engaged in their communities."  I've been thinking about this statement, particularly as Volunteers In Service is continuing to work with businesses and companies, and how best companies can "become engaged" in their communities.

When companies think of serving or volunteering, they typically think of things like "Days of Service" or United Way's "Day of Caring."  These are days set aside for collectively "caring" or "doing good" things.  Alley clean-up, lawn work, and painting are some of  the usual activities which groups perform during these activities.  But, invariably, the alley becomes trash-strewn again, the weeds reappear, and  the paint begins to chip.  Good work is done, yes, but is it what really needs to be done?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

What if, instead of a day of caring, we made it a lifetime of caring?  Might this look just a bit different?  I think it would.  One of the ways Volunteers In Service approaches serving is, instead of assuming what is needed in a particular area, we find out what is needed by asking the people who live there.  Who better to know?  Not only that, but what if the people we're asking are also willing to get involved by contributing what they can?  Would this be a way to develop significant, effective, sustainable ministry in a particular place?  I think it would.  What do you think?