Volunteer Handbook

Table of Contents

Thank You from Pastors Greg & Kong
RiverLife’s Mission and Values
Volunteer Values
Visitors or Guests?
Things Not To Say To a Guest and What to Say Instead
God’s High Call To Be a Servant
You Are Part of a Team
You > What You Do
You are a Church Member First and a Volunteer Second

THANK YOU From the Pastors!

Thank you for everything you do for RiverLife. You are making a difference in the kingdom of God. Because of you, people have fallen more in love with Jesus and his church.

Every week, our campuses are full of people making decisions to follow Jesus, get baptized, study the Bible, confess their sins, pray deeper, own their faith, and become more like Jesus.

Because of your service—shaking hands, serving coffee, holding babies, singing songs, or sweeping floors—people are experiencing more hope, healing, and growth in their lives.

With all our gratitude, we say thank you.

Greg Rhodes (Lead Pastor)
Kong Moua (Campus Pastor)

RiverLife’s Mission

To bring hope, healing, and growth to next-gen Hmong and beyond.

RiverLife’s Values

Acceptance—We embrace people as they are.

Transformation—We pursue radical life change.

Relevance—We connect biblical truth to people’s lives.

Biculturalism—We honor the complexity of being Hmong and American.

Authenticity—We are real and transparent.

Impact—We make a difference in our communities.

RiverLife’s Volunteer Values

We serve because of Jesus
We love others because Jesus first loved us. We serve others like we’re serving Jesus.
What To Do: Check your motives for serving. See Jesus in every person you serve. Thank Jesus for loving you.

We are relentlessly others-focused
We leave the best for our guests. Choose to be uncomfortable so someone else can be comfortable.
What To Do: Park far away from the entrance. Eat the squished donut. Sit up front. Remember their name.

We are dependable
We show up when we said we would, where we said we would, and ready to do what we said we’d do.
What To Do: Arrive on time every time. Be prepared.

We value quality
We bring our best with what we have.
What To Do: Don’t settle. Go the extra mile.

We do whatever it takes
No job is too small or insignificant.
What To Do: Help other ministries. If something needs to be done, do it. It’s never “someone else’s problem.”

We have fun
We love what we do. If we’re not having fun, they’re not having fun.
What To Do: Enjoy yourself. Smile. Laugh.

Visitors or Guests?

When someone steps into RiverLife for the first time, they are more than just a visitor; they are our guest.

A visitor is a stranger in a new place.
A guest is special. They’re invited and welcomed.

A visitor is described by what they do.
A guest is described by how they feel.

A visitor comes and goes.
A guest stays and is cared for by friends.

You visit a museum.
You’re a guest in a home.

Things NOT To Say To a Guest and What to Say Instead

Avoid questions that assume things or put people on the defensive. Ask open-ended questions that make a person comfortable and invite conversation.

Don’t Say: Is your husband/wife with you? Do you have kids?
Why? It assumes they have a spouse or kids. It’s awkward if they have to answer no.
Say Instead: Did anyone come with you today?

Don’t Say: I haven’t seen you in a while. Where have you been?
Why? It creates guilt by pointing out that they haven’t attended church lately.
Say Instead: It’s so good to see you. How have you been?

Don’t Say: Where do you go to church?
Why? It assumes they go to a church.
Say Instead: Are you connected to any church or is this a new experience for you?

God’s High Call To Be a Servant

The goal of the Christian life is to be a servant—

not a leader, not a good person, and certainly not a bystander. Jesus repeatedly called his followers to put themselves second and to serve others.

• “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

• “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” Luke 22:26

• “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14

The Apostle Paul echoed Jesus’ words…

• “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Gal. 5:13 

• “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” 1 Cor. 10:24 

• “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col. 3:23-24 

Serving at RiverLife is a chance to reject the narrative of self-centeredness and put the interests of others at the center of your thoughts and actions. 

It’s a time to be like Jesus.

You Are Part of a Team

Ministry is better when it's done together.

At RiverLife, we serve in teams. Teams work together for a common goal. Teams win together, and they lose together. When one person is missing, everyone feels it. But when each person is doing their part, teams can accomplish incredible things.

While it may seem easier to serve in ministry alone, it rarely yields the best results. We have a limited perspective on our own, but in teams, we can see the bigger picture.

Great teams are built upon individual uniqueness and gifts, mutual accountability, and the willingness of people to work for the good of the entire church community. Each of us is part of a team, and we serve God and the RiverLife family.

You > What You Do

You are more important than what you do. Your family, health, integrity, and spiritual well-being are much more important than anything you do for the church.

Your relationship with God is the key to serving. You cannot serve others if you are empty. So, spend time with God, pray, read the Bible, confess your sins, forgive others, and pursue Jesus daily. This will fill you up, enabling you to give to others.

You serve out of who you are—all your strengths and weaknesses. That’s why your emotional health matters. It’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.

We do not want RiverLife to be a church that burns out its volunteers. If you ever feel like we care more about what you do than who you are, please let us know. We value you and will make it right.

You are a Church Member First and a Volunteer Second

What do you do on Sundays when you’re not serving? Do you see it as a chance to sleep in and skip church or be spiritually fed without the responsibility of serving? We hope it’s the latter.

Your connection to the church should not solely hinge on your role as a helper. Church is not just a place of service; it's a spiritual home, a community where you grow, worship, and belong, irrespective of your volunteer status. Attending church, participating in worship, and engaging in fellowship are vital aspects of your spiritual journey. These practices nourish your faith and keep you grounded in God's love and community, beyond the valuable role you play as a volunteer.

Let's encourage one another to maintain our commitment to being active, present members of our church family. Your presence is valuable, both as a contributor and as a part of the congregation. Remember, you are part of a body where every member matters, every Sunday, in every season.