Wufoo

1) Must I stay available if I indicate that I am free most evenings?

No. Go about your regular schedule. Only when you're ready, willing, and able will you be expected to help. Only the person who calls you will know you've been contacted.

2) Will I be overworked?

Every effort will be made to spread the duties around. A record will be kept of how often you've helped, in order to avoid overloading anyone.

3) Won't some people be too proud to share there needs?

That's a serious possibility, but it's primarily their loss. As more needs are met, more people will hopefully be willing to share their needs.

4) Won't some people take advantage of others?

This is always a risk any generous person takes. But Christians should take advantage of others less often than people who have never experienced God's mercy. The Deacons will use their discernment to decide if someone is abusing the system in any way.

5) What if only a small number in the church make themselves available?

Of all the potential problems, this one will most quickly thwart Redeemer's mercy efforts. However, such a problem is unlikely since Redeemer's community responded so positively to Redeemer's first attempt to establish a similar network (the Diaconate).