When I first moved out on my own a few years ago, one of the first things I did was find a church home in my new city. Coming from a small church in my hometown, I felt overwhelmed in a new church of over a thousand people. I didn’t know where I fit into that community of believers. For the first few months, I would attend the service and then go home without talking to many people. I enjoyed the Sunday morning worship and message, but it felt like something was missing.
Have you ever felt like that? Maybe you’re new to attending a church or perhaps you’ve attended for years, but you feel a void that cannot be filled by Sunday sermons alone. The missing piece you may be searching for is where you are called to serve in the church. Not only does serving form a bond between you and the other congregation members, but you are helping to build God’s kingdom through ministries within his church.
Over the next few days I will lead you through a journey of learning about having Jesus’ heart for service as believers, your role within the church, and how you can plug your gifts and talents into a ministry in your local church.
Day 1: A Servant’s Heart
Read: Galatians 6:10, Acts 20:28, Galatians 5:13
The best example we have of serving others is Jesus himself. He spent a large part of his ministry healing people, doing miracles, and teaching as a service to those around him. Massive crowds followed him everywhere and from what we read in Scripture, it seemed he gave more to people than he received.
One of the most powerful lessons he taught his disciples was how to serve. Just before Passover, he took out a basin and washed the dirty, smelly feet of his closest friends. In John 13:14-15, Jesus said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
James and John, two of Jesus’ closest disciples, came to him with their mother and asked if they could have places of honor next to him in heaven. He told his disciples their greatest goal should not be to obtain power and flaunt it in front of people. Instead, Jesus had a different approach.
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:26-28
In the same way, church was never supposed to be a spectator sport. The pastor and even his team of staff are not meant to do everything within a church. Each person has their own part to play, whether it is on the “front lines” of ministry or behind the scenes. Jesus wants his followers to have his heart for service with a desire to serve each other and the community, instead of sitting back and being served.
Reflection
- In your church right now, do you feel more like a spectator or a servant? What have been the things that compel you to serve or make you hesitate to serve?
- Can you remember a time when you had a mindset like John and James and wanted to be served?
- Spend some time asking God to give you a heart like Jesus: ready and eager to serve.
Day 2: Designed For Service
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Before you figure out where the best place for you to serve in the church, it’s important to first consider the passions and talents with which God has blessed you. The Bible says God has given everyone spiritual gifts.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
God’s Word has a list of some spiritual gifts such as preaching, teaching, encouragement, prophecy, discernment, and words of wisdom. Some people only consider spiritual gifts to be those mentioned in the Bible, but the Lord also gave people talents and abilities that can be used to serve others and bring him glory.
It can be tempting to use our talents to bring honor to ourselves, rather than pointing the attention to God where it belongs. Yes, our gifts can be used as part of our job or vocation, but they are not being used for their intended purpose until they are incorporated into service, either for the church or for those in need.
The apostle Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Reflection
- Compile a list of spiritual gifts, talents, and passions God has given you. Are you currently using them to serve him?
- Have you been tempted to use your gifts to bring glory to yourself rather than God?
- If you have never considered your spiritual gifts before, spend some time praying for God to open your eyes to the gifts he has given you.
Day 3: A Body With Many Parts
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 4:11-16
When many people are asked to consider the different parts of the church, they often think of the pastor and the worship team, because those are the people most visible on stage. However, the church is more than just a handful of people; it is a tapestry of believers with each one playing their part. It takes an army to do the work of the church, both on Sunday mornings and the other six days of the week.
Paul describes the church as the “Body of Christ.” He writes in Romans 12:4-5, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Many people consider the brain, the heart, and the lungs to be the most important parts of the body, but if we were only made up of those organs we would not be able to see, taste, smell or walk. In the same way, a church would not be able to operate with just pastors and worship leaders.
When I was looking for my place to serve in my new church, I signed up to be a youth leader because I like spending time with teenagers just as much as people my own age. Not everyone is cut out to be youth or children’s volunteers, though. Thankfully, there are many more outlets to serve.
If God has given you any kind of talent or passion, then chances are there is a place for you to use it in the church. For example, if you like to bake or cook, you could make meals for people experiencing hard times. If you are good with computers, there might be a spot on the tech team. If you are good at talking to people and forming relationships, you could ask about doing outreach.
Even if you are unsure of what your spiritual gifts are, there are other practical things you can do. At any service or church event, people are often needed to stack chairs, pour communion cups, or welcome people at the door. It’s not the kind of service that gets all the attention, but it’s needed just the same.
The possibilities are endless. All you need is the heart of a servant and the time to lend a hand.
Reflection
- Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s spiritual gift? Ask God to help you be thankful for the gifts he has given and use it for his kingdom.
- Is there an area of church ministry where God is calling you to serve? Check with your church staff to see where help is needed.
- If you are already serving, reflect on how you have seen the body of Christ at work in your church and community.
Photo credit: Emilee Carpenter
Sarah Wieler is a journalist for the Times & Transcript living in Moncton, New Brunswick and there is nothing she loves more than telling a good story. Outside of her passion for writing and Jesus, she is always up for adventures, hiking, watching football, and being a youth leader at her church.
