The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody [Hardcover]

Bill Hybels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2004

The future of the local church is directly tied to its ability to attract, equip, and unleash the potential of volunteers in the church Pastor Bill Hybels sees a new reality on the horizon. There is unprecedented spiritual openness in today's society, and at the same time, increasing economic pressure on the resources of local churches. The solution lies squarely on the able shoulders of God-gifted volunteers. And they are ready for the challenge! Once trained, empowered, and inspired, record numbers of volunteers will take on all new levels of responsibility in the local church, creating a volunteer revolution that will transform churches and communities. The Volunteer Revolution reveals how all of this can happen and how churches can unleash vast amounts of untapped potential. Through real-life volunteer stories, Hybels inspires church leaders in their role as equippers while motivating potential volunteers to align themselves with God's mission to change the world. The Volunteer Revolution is also available as an unabridged Audio Pages CD.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'...As in most of his other books, this new volume from Hybels take a decidely practical approach as he explains and promotes a substantive Christian concept. He understands the church to be a community of people with a variety of abilities and attributes who are called to serve. Certainly the church has an important 'service' mandate to fulfill. This small book communicates the essential message clearly and compellingly.' -- Christian Week

(Christian Week )

From the Back Cover

The future of the local church is directly tied to its ability to attract, equip, and unleash the potential of volunteers in the church

Pastor Bill Hybels sees a new reality on the horizon. There is unprecedented spiritual openness in today’s society, and at the same time, increasing economic pressure on the resources of local churches. The solution lies squarely on the able shoulders of God-gifted volunteers. And they are ready for the challenge! Once trained, empowered, and inspired, record numbers of volunteers will take on all new levels of responsibility in the local church, creating a volunteer revolution that will transform churches and communities.

The Volunteer Revolution reveals how all of this can happen and how churches can unleash vast amounts of untapped potential. Through real-life volunteer stories, Hybels inspires church leaders in their role as equippers while motivating potential volunteers to align themselves with God’s mission to change the world.

The Volunteer Revolution is also available as an unabridged Audio Pages® CD.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 141 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310252385
• ISBN-13: 978-0310252382
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Church Institutions & Organizations

More About the Author

Bill Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and chairman of the board for the Willow Creek Association. The bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Axiom, Holy Discontent, Just Walk Across the Room, The Volunteer Revolution, Courageous Leadership, and classics such as Too Busy Not to Pray and Becoming a Contagious Christian, Hybels is known worldwide as an expert in training Christian leaders to transform individuals and their communities through the local church. Hybels received a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity College in Deerfield, Ill. He and his wife, Lynne, have two adult children and one grandson, Henry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Idea, Bad Execution, March 24, 2005

By 

George P. Wood (Springfield, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody (Hardcover)

The subtitle of The Volunteer Revolution is "Unleashing the Power of Everybody." When I picked up the book, I thought it would be chock full of suggestions for pastors about how to lead a volunteer revolution at their churches. But this book is long on inspiration and short on information. What this book did very well was cast vision for leading a church of energized volunteers. It communicated the importance of mobilizing people to meet needs. What the book did not do well-in my opinion, anyway-was to show how to make the vision a reality. There are suggestions scattered throughout the book, but what I need is a plan. So,thanks, Bill, for showing me why the volunteer revolution is necessary. But next time, please write a book with step-by-step guidance.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Strong on Inspiration, Weak on Implementation, April 15, 2005

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody (Hardcover)

I agree with another reviewer who in essence said this book paints a great picture of the value of volunteerism, but gives little instruction on how to recruit. Just about everyone who takes the time to read this title will admit that volunteer ministry is a very good thing and should be greatly applauded. The problem however, is that those of us who are leaders would appreciate Hybels doing more than just "preaching to the choir." The people needing to hear the message of this book are the very ones who won't be reading it.

I respect Hybels and have benefited enormously from his other writings. This title unfortunately, doesn't fit his previous high standards. While enjoyable and easy to read, this book provides little help to a frustrated leader with few volunteers.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Guide to Service, August 29, 2004

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody (Hardcover)

A key to the success of a local church, be it one of the major interlational religions or an independent church of its own is the work that gets done by their members. Bill Hybels, the senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church says that basically people want to volunteer. They want to find something in their lives that takes them beyond their daily job. It could be that they spend 8 hours a day operating a drill press or selling insurance, or designing a new bridge. But often, even usually this doesn't provide the fullfillment that they need in life.

Getting such people to volunteer by straping on a tool kit and helping to repair an inter city house, by asking them to help in a soup kitchen, or just ring the bell for the Salvation Army helps the church, the community and especially the individual volunteer.

More than just an appeal for service, this is a how-to manual on how to attract, motivate, and keep volunteers working. It is filled with practical hints, and clearly comes from years of experience.