There’s an inscription on the playground wall at the top of the church driveway, written by Bishop R.O. Hall sometime in the 1950s: “The Lord hath need of you.” While you could question the accuracy of that statement (how could the immortal, omnipotent Creator of the universe need anything from finite creatures that he cannot provide himself?), the intent is clear: the Lord calls his people to serve. Our response to God’s grace will be seen in our acts of grace.
St Andrew’s ministries are reliant on God’s people. I’m so grateful for our members who generously give their time to serve. Our ministries are not possible without them. As we resume many of our ministries next week, here are some thoughts on serving.
Through serving, we develop and exercise our spiritual gifts.
1. Serving builds mutual connection. A frequent metaphor used by the apostle Paul for Christian community is the human body. The parts of a human body are intricately connected and mutually dependent for the health of the body. It’s the same with Christians. We cannot spiritually flourish as Christians when we’re disconnected from one another. We need one another to thrive in the Christian life, as we benefit from one another’s time, care, and gifts.
2. Serving meets needs. As you think about serving, my advice is to put needs before gifts. That is, don’t think (at least initially), “What am I good at?” Instead, ask, “What are the needs?” This is a variation on “who is my neighbour?” That is what Christ did. He didn’t think of his gifts, but of our needs. Jesus didn’t die on the cross because he was really good at it, but because we needed it.
3. Serving fuels personal spiritual growth. Physical exercise (like going to the gym) builds strength, health, and develops perseverance, likewise, in the Christian life. Through serving, we develop and exercise our spiritual gifts. We build godly character and self-forgetfulness, because instead of looking to our own needs, we look more to the needs of others.
4. Serving builds dependence on God. When we serve, we’re reminded that we can’t do everything. You will get tired, make mistakes, and get pushed out of your comfort zone. Embrace your creatureliness. Your job is to worship God, not to be God. There are three members of the Trinity; there are no job vacancies for a fourth position. Learn to be finite, to remind yourself, “I can’t do everything. I can’t please everyone. God alone is sufficient”.
5. Serving gives us joy. Paul reminds us of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The greatest joys don’t come from being passive, constantly hoarding what you have, and consuming from others. Joy comes from exercising sacrificial love for others to the glory of God.
Let me ask you an uncomfortable question: are you involved in serving, either at church or outside of church? If you’re not, you’re not likely to be spiritually growing. I want to encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can be involved in serving. Contact our staff for more information. Carol (Children), James (Youth), Juliana (Elderly care), June (Music), and Claudia (Welcoming and Mission partners) would love to speak with you.
