Serving as education? That’s not how we usually think of serving. But an education is just what I received recently, when I served as an election volunteer. 

What I learned from the experience had nothing to do with politics; nor was politics the reason I chose this way of serving. I simply was curious about the role and thought it a good way to serve in my community. Some parts of the experience confirmed familiar, but important, volunteer-engagement principles (see Part 2), but my main take-away came from seeing first hand some important truths about my local community. 

People care. This was a minor election, with most races local and uncontested and just a handful of non-binding referendums. Our precinct had no lines and only a small percentage of voters turned out. Still, people showed up throughout the day, many commenting on the importance of having their say through their vote. These are people who care about their community and who see elections as important. I was surprised at how often people thanked us for serving as poll workers. Even though we receive a reasonable stipend, people presumed – correctly – we weren’t doing this for the money.

Localities are distinctive. A wide variety of ages, occupations and opinions were represented in our voters. I worked in a precinct 3.4 miles from my home, and noted some differences between the two suburban villages. Despite the short distance from my home, I’d never visited or even heard of the lovely and active community center that housed us, or been to the park next door or used the adjacent walking path. How much else am I missing in my local community?! 

I tend to avoid politics like I avoid the plague.

Voices matter. I learned much through casual conversations with my two fellow poll workers, with the many voters who paused to chat, and through interactions with county employees as they trained and supported us poll workers. I tend to avoid politics like I avoid the plague, but this experience showed the positives that balance the well-publicized anger and division. Elections are central to all of us living together.  Both of my two fellow poll workers mentioned ways they had personally and quietly lobbied for causes that touched their lives. Each had had a short conversation at some point with one of our state senators, and they mentioned his comment that he placed a higher value on such input over that of paid lobbyists. Both also volunteered for community organizations. I was impressed with all the work that went into preparing the people and resources for the election and the security and privacy of the ballots cast. And the picture that will stay with me longest is from an hour or so after polls closed, seeing our local courthouse building, grounds and parking garage swarming with pairs of people delivering ballots cast, and knowing the same scene was being played out in many other locations and other states.

How does this apply to church volunteerism and the serving of individual Christians? 

Our church family is important. Serving in our churches is important. But we miss the boat if we ignore, or isolate from, our local communities. Perhaps it didn’t matter so much 50 years ago, when ‘church’ was central in most communities. But now, when our culture is no longer Christian, when many distrust organized religion, and when the truth and beauty and power of the Gospel is more needed than ever, it’s vital for followers of Jesus to know and be part of their community. Serving them, and especially serving with them, is a great way to do this! 

If we don’t talk about it, we don’t value it.

Leaders: In what ways are the people in your church family serving in their community? It’d be interesting to ask your staff to make a list of who they know and what they’re doing. Then publicly ask people to share that info, followed by sharing, affirming and celebrating it. If we don’t talk about it, we don’t value it.

All: Who in your church has served in elections? Might it be appropriate to acknowledge them, thank them, and ask what they’ve learned from the experience?

See also: Serving in an Election: Part 2 – Affirming Best Practices