Protestant Christian Volunteers in Community Social Service Programs: What Motivates, Challenges, and Sustains Their Service

Abstract

This article presents findings from a research project exploring the motivations of 25 volunteers from Protestant Christian congregations involved in community service programs. These volunteers are motivated primarily as their way of responding to God and to the needs of others. As they serve, beneficial relationships with others and other personal benefits become motivations for their continuing service. Their motivations help them sustain their service in the face of the challenges created by volunteering. This article concludes with implications for social service administrators who seek to recruit, train, and sustain the involvement of these volunteers and their congregations, including understanding and connecting with volunteers' religious world views.