Working for God or Doing God's Work?

In SLM parish life we often speak about “working for God.” We volunteer, give our time, and help where we are needed. This generous spirit of volunteerism is essential to the life of the Church. Ushers, choir members, catechists, sacristans, and many others offer their time and energy out of love for God and the parish community. Yet the Church also speaks about something deeper: charism. A charism is a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church. When someone exercises a charism—such as teaching, music, hospitality, or leadership—they are not simply helping out; they are doing God’s work through the gifts God has placed within them.

Volunteerism asks, “Where can I help?”

Charism asks, “How has God gifted me to serve?”

Both are important. Volunteerism keeps parish life moving and expresses our generosity. Charisms help ministries flourish because people serve according to the gifts God has given them. This also requires honesty and humility. Just because I may want to be a cantor does not necessarily mean I should be a cantor if I do not have the gifts of musicianship and ministry needed for that role. Perhaps the Lord is calling me to serve in a different ministry where my gifts can truly benefit the community. A simple analogy may help. If I am five feet four inches tall (that’s me!), I might admire great basketball players like Shaquille O'Neal and wish to play like him. But desire alone does not give me the physical gifts needed to dominate the basketball court. In the same way, in church ministry we must discern not only what we enjoy, but where God has truly gifted us. The ideal is when generosity and discernment meet; willing hearts ready to serve, and Spirit-given gifts guiding how we serve. In that way we move from simply working for God to truly doing God’s work in the life of the Church.