Ministries

The mission of the Episcopal Church is the mission of Christ. The Catechism of The Episcopal Church teaches that “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p. 855

Five Marks of Mission

The Five Marks of Mission, developed by the Anglican Consultative Council and adopted by the General Convention in 2009, are:

To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
To respond to human need by loving service
To seek to transform unjust structures of society
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

In a succinct way, the Five Marks of Mission offer a framework for mission and ministry work. For many, the work of the Five Marks is already part of a congregational or personal mission program. Whether it’s when you recycle (Mark #5), undertake social justice work (Mark #4), donate to a food bank, volunteer at a soup kitchen (Mark #3), renew your baptismal vows (Marks #1 and #2), or countless other ways, the Five Marks of Mission shine through.

“Mission is really making us all aware of the incredible love that God has for all of us,” said Archbishop Desmond Tutu. “It says things like: you don’t have to earn God’s love. God loves you, period. Everything flows from there.”

Holy Trinity Church has many opportunities for participation in the mission and ministry of our church. Here are just a few of our current ministries:

Acolyte Corp
A.C.T.I.O.N. Food Pantry
Altar Guild
Children’s Ministry – Nursery, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Children’s Christmas Tableau & Spaghetti Dinner, etc.
Parish Choir
Daughters of the King
Feeding Ministry/Hot Dog Ministry
Gift Card Ministry
Lay Eucharistic Minister
Lay Eucharistic Visitor
Men’s Ministry
Office Volunteer
Our Lady of Guadalupe Ministry (OLG Guild)
Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity – Faith Relations Committee
Recovery Ministry/12 Step Meetings
Saint Cecilia Music Guild
Saint Martha’s Hospitality Ministry
Video/Recording Ministry
Usher/Greeter
Vestry
Veteran’s Ministry
Welcome Table

10 Benefits of Being a Church Volunteer

By Brian Dodd

During the summer of 1986, I was working in a grocery store while attending college. This job came with the unbelievable benefit of one unpaid week of vacation per year. So when July came I had a decision to make. Should I go to the beach for sun, fun and relaxation or should I make the strategic decision to teach 2nd graders in Vacation Bible School?

I did not realize it at the time but this one single decision put me on a path I would continue on to this very day. With the exception of two paid staff positions, I have served as a volunteer at my local church for the next 29 years.

As I reflect on the last three decades of my life, the following are 10 Benefits Of Being A Volunteer At A Local Church:

Volunteering At My Church Has Given My Life Greater Purpose

There are a numerous important causes in the world and quality places to volunteer your time. But for me, I made the strategic decision to serve at my church because it was there where my efforts could result in someone’s life being changed for eternity. It is in a local church where a person could be made brand new and become redeemed.

Volunteering At My Church Has Given Me Broader Perspective

Serving others has allowed me to focus on larger issues and others rather than always on myself.

Volunteering At My Church Has Given Me Lifelong Friendships

There is a unique relational bond which comes from “being in the foxhole” with someone and serving together. I have made literally hundreds of personal connections and lifelong friends because of volunteering at my church.

Volunteering At My Church Has Given Me A Healthier Self-Image

It may sound egotistical but there is a healthy sense of pride which comes from serving others and not being called to a lesser task. You just feel better about yourself when your life matters and makes a difference.

Volunteering At My Church Helps Others

Living an internally focused life benefits no one. Serving others relieves suffering, benefits the under-resourced, meets the needs of the marginalized, provides hope, and improves the quality of people’s lives.

Volunteering At My Church Has Made Me More Generous

Generosity is time, talent and treasure. Church volunteers give sacrificially of their time and talent BEFORE giving sacrificially of their treasure. It is a sequential process. By being generous with my time and talent, financial generosity has been a natural outflow.

Volunteering At My Church Taught Me How To Make Better Decisions

When I used to teach Sunday School in college, I could have gone out every Saturday night with the guys. However, I learned early in the process the best decisions come when you give up what is good (Saturday night with the guys) for what is best (studying on Saturday nights to serve others on Sunday mornings).

Volunteering At My Church Makes Me A Better Thinker

Being a quality volunteer requires sacrifice, study and preparation. Volunteering at my church has made me smarter.

Volunteering At My Church Has Given Me Lasting Influence

My daughter knows nothing other than her parents serving others. A privilege I never planned when I took my first volunteer role in 1986 was one day I would be passing on a legacy of service to the next generation.

Volunteering At My Church Will One Day Result In A Greater Reward

Like many of you, I look forward to the day when I hear my Heavenly Father say “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

At sporting events those in the stands pay to watch the game. Those on the field get paid! The same is true for church volunteers.

If you are not volunteering in your local church, it is time to get on the field and start getting paid with these incredible benefits I have listed.

Brian Dodd is the Director of New Ministry Relationships for Injoy Stewardship Solutions, and author of The Two Minute Leader