Volunteering Can Be So Much More
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Volunteering Can Be So Much More...
Teams are a big part of the culture at Commons, so we asked Kevin Borst to talk a little bit about how he thinks about Teams and what they mean to this community.
Which teams do you work with, and what do they do?
I oversee our creative teams here at Commons. Maybe you’re wondering what that means. The creative teams work mostly with music and production. It takes over 60 people to make them function well and facilitate worship on Sundays for both the in-person and online livestream services.
The music team is out front, on the stage – bringing musical talent, creating an inviting atmosphere, and offering a prayerful space.
The production team is behind the scenes – sound techs, screen techs, and camera operators, all working to give you a smooth and care-filled experience.
Of all the teams, the music and production teams stayed together and fully functioning during the pandemic. What did those volunteers teach you through their generosity and commitment?
When most people were staying home during the pandemic, the music and production teams continued to come to church every Sunday. We heard over and over again how much their presence meant to people worshiping from their living rooms.
This is actually amazing if you stop to think about it. We made live worship experiences with real people going through the same thing that everyone else was. I love that lesson: worship carries us through tough times, and real people lead us.
When the pandemic hit, we were thrown a curveball, facing new challenges we had never even considered before, like how to create a worshipful environment that could reach across the country into people’s homes. Creating a high-quality livestream is actually really difficult and requires a significant amount of technical expertise to run and manage.
The process of getting our livestream system up and running was very learn-as-we-go, and without fail, every week we would find a new problem to solve or ways to make improvements in order to give our community the best experience possible. Through all of these changes, our production team was so generous, extending grace and flexibility as they learned each new change, every week, for two long years.
They were so ready and willing to partner with our staff to create our online experience, with each member committed to learning from one another to make this evolving experience work. It actually became an ongoing joke to ask “so what’s new this week?” every time our techs would come in to serve.
What do you think people get out of being on these teams?
Being part of a team here at Commons has the opportunity to surprise you.
First, it provides opportunities to build friendships and connect with others in our community. Teams can really be the community-building space we hope for when we are part of a church. I think when people invest their time and energy into this community, they cross the divide between being an observer and a participant. This creates a sense of ownership and belonging that draws us to one another as we create a collective sense of home. After all, church isn’t something put on for us, it is something we do together.
Second, there is a deeper spiritual practice that can take place in being part of a team. When we offer who we are to our community, we can, in turn, find a connection to God. In these moments of exercising our gifts and abilities, we become more of what God imagines for us. Each encounter with teams may not feel so profound, but over time, I believe God shows us more of who we are, what is important to us, and where we can grow through the ongoing act of serving.
Not already part of a Commons team?
You can find more information about teams and sign up to join here.
All teams have space for new team members, so feel free to explore the many opportunities we have available.
