FINDING A TEAM TO VOLUNTEER WITH

 …FINDING YOUR S.H.A.P.E

The purpose of everything determines its nature, design and features. Since the Creator is a God of purpose, He had your purpose in mind when He designed your whole personality. What God has made you to be is intentional, meaningful, and guaranteed to succeed. Thus, taking time now to inventory who you are is an important key to unravelling your purpose.

“You are who you are because you were made for a specific contribution on earth.”

                                                                                                                              Rick Warren

God never wastes anything. Your gifts, talents, unique experiences and personalities are what make you who you are. Understanding these factors will help you discover your unique Purpose in Life. The term S.H.A.P.E was developed by Rick Warren in his book, Purpose Driven Life. To unpack this even more,  listen to the 45 minute audio message. The word S.H.A.P.E refers to five specific characteristics of who you are and is an acronym:

Spiritual Gifts

This refers to a set of special abilities that God has given you to share his love and serve others. The Bible assures us that every believer has at least one gift (1 Cor. 7:7). The best way to discover your gift is to serve. When you use your spiritual gifts, people are edified, God is honoured and you are fulfilled.

Make a list of your spiritual gifts (Serving/helping, Teaching, Hospitality, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Encouragement, Healing, Mercy, Administration, Wisdom, Prayer – see Romans 12: 6-8, 1 Cor. 12:8-10, 1 Cor 12:28, 1 Peter 4:9-10, Eph. 4:11):

Heart

This refers to your passions. You heart reflects your dreams and desires; it is not the same as your hobbies. Your passion refers to what drives you, who you deeply care about, the needs you desire to meet, and the cause you sincerly wish to conquer. To discover your passion, find the things that make you happy when you do them. Find the change you most desire to see in the world.

Make a list of your heart’s ambitions, desires, hopes, interests, dreams, motivations.

Abilities

These refer to the things you are naturally good at. God has given each of us the ability to do some things well. God gave us those talents with our Purpose in view. Note that abilities may also be acquired or learnt. Rick Warren writes: “The abilities you do have are a strong indication of what God wants you to do with your life”. Examples include: analyzing, coaching, consulting, cooking, designing, decorating, writing, speaking, repairing, planning…

Make a list of your Abilities (Natural Talents):

Personality

The Bible clearly shows that the people God used were different in personality. “Your personality refers to your character and temperament. You must understand these, for they account for how you relate with others and respond to opportunities. Whether you are introverted or extroverted, outgoing or reserved, self-expressive or self-controlled, cooperative or competitive, solo or team player etc., are factors that are determined by your personality all of which are keys to your design and, thus, your purpose.

Make a list of your personality traits: (Introvert, team player, …):

Experience

You have been shaped by your experiences in life, most of which were beyond your control. God allowed them for His purpose of moulding you.” In determining your shape for serving God, you should examine at least six kinds of experiences from your past: • Family experiences: What did you learn growing up in your family? • Educational experiences: What were your favourite subjects in school? • Vocational experiences: What jobs have you been most effective in and enjoyed most? • Spiritual experiences: What have been your most meaningful times with God? • Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past? • Painful experiences: What problems, hurts, thorns, and trials have you learned from? God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others.

Make a list of your  experiences―family, educational, jobs, meaningful times with God, your past, serving God, joyous occasions, painful experiences.

Conclusion

The first and principal way to discover purpose is to discover God. There is no shortcut; for the purpose of a thing can only be revealed by the maker of that thing. Your S.H.A.P.E would help you discover your purpose only if you are connected to the God of purpose!

“God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves His purposes through them all” 1 Cor 12:6.

Now go and try out helping in some different church ministries or start one. Let our church office know your thoughts on this and where you think you may want to serve.

Volunteer Ministries To Consider

Everyone has a God-given desire to make an impact on the world around them. Now, how has God designed you to make a difference in other peoples’ lives? At the church, many groups gather to get things done with great fellowship along the way: community garden, church gardening, kitchen helpers (coffee/tea/food, set-up and clean-up), greeters, ushers, media team helpers (video cameras and audio/streaming), Sunday Prep (folding bulletins/Welcome folders), Tuesday night canteen truck for homeless, Christmas kettles & toy drive …

Volunteer Page <-- Click Here

There are more volunteer opportunities within the community―: Thrift store (sorting clothes/displaying), food sorting/organizing/giving out, knitting club, …simply call the church office and let us know what you have in mind. You may even want to talk to someone to go through the S.H.A.P.E analysis to help you to consider specific areas that God may be preparing for you. Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect, and you might just get more happiness out of your serving than you may think. This 25 min video may inspire you.

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.