Disciples, Not Volunteers: A Call to Full Commitment in Christ

By Pastor Barron Greenwalt, En-Joy Ministries

The Heart Behind This Message

I’ve been wrestling with the “volunteer” mindset that’s become so common in our churches today. Please hear my heart—I absolutely believe in appreciating those who serve faithfully, and Scripture calls us to honor one another with love and affection (Romans 12:10). I’m grateful for every expression of thanks, and I happily receive it myself! But the truth is, the Bible never once refers to God’s people as “volunteers.” What we find instead is a relentless call to full, wholehearted commitment as disciples and followers of Jesus Christ.

What Scripture Really Says About Service

Look at the Gospels: When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they didn’t sign up for occasional shifts—they “immediately left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:20), abandoning everything for total devotion. Paul later declared that he counted all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8), pressing on through hardship without excuse or retreat.

Scripture leaves no room for half measures. Jesus warned the lukewarm church in Laodicea: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot… So then, because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). James describes the double-minded person as “unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). And we’re commanded, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). This isn’t casual service—it’s worship with our whole lives.

Cheap Grace vs. Costly Grace: Insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The “volunteer” mindset can unintentionally promote what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called cheap grace—grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ living and incarnate. In his classic book The Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer powerfully contrasts this with costly grace:

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession… Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has… It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: ‘ye were bought at a price,’ and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”

 This distinction challenges us deeply: A volunteer approach risks cheapening the grace we’ve received by offering convenient, low-commitment service. True discipleship demands everything—yet it is the path to real life in Christ.

Our True Biblical Identity

We are not volunteers who can skip commitments or offer minimal effort when it’s inconvenient. Peter reminds us that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9), called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

A Call to Action at En-Joy Ministries

At En-Joy Ministries, let’s move away from low-expectation labels that can unintentionally foster flakiness or excuses. By all means, let’s celebrate and appreciate one another—host those banquets and give heartfelt thanks! But let’s also challenge each other to embrace our true biblical identity: a priesthood of believers, fully committed disciples who serve excellently because we’re doing it for Christ.

Church family, this isn’t about guilt or burden—it’s about the joy and freedom that come from living fully for the One who gave everything for us. Imagine what our ministry could look like if every one of us stepped into this costly grace: reliable, passionate, all-in followers of Jesus who reflect His faithfulness in every area of service. The harvest is plentiful; the workers are needed—and they are us.

Let’s commit today to lay aside the volunteer mindset and embrace the high calling of discipleship. Together, we can build a church that honors Christ with our whole lives.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You humbled by the costly grace poured out through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for calling us not as casual volunteers, but as a royal priesthood, chosen and set apart to proclaim Your excellencies. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we’ve approached Your work with lukewarm hearts, double-mindedness, or excuses. Cleanse us from any cheap grace that diminishes the price You paid.

Ignite in us a fresh fire for wholehearted discipleship. Help us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus with joy and abandon. Strengthen En-Joy Ministries to be a place where commitment is celebrated, service is excellent, and every believer lives as a devoted follower—not for recognition, but for Your glory alone.

Unite us in this pursuit, Lord. Make us reliable, faithful, and passionate ambassadors of Your Kingdom. May our lives and our ministry reflect the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen.