Ministers Desk June 10 2012

I have been sharing with you the results of our latest Natural Church Development (NCD) survey.  One of the exciting results from the survey is that it affirms for us the strength we have in the area of service.  One of the foci of our Purpose is to embody our faith in service where every one of us has at least one area of service that stretches and challenges us into a place where we can’t do it alone, but must work in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Many people in our congregation already have embraced this and are feeling the influence of God as their faith is grown. 

The service that we offer is always a response to the grace of God that comes to us first.  Therefore service is about recognising what Jesus has done for us already through his death and resurrection.  Service is primarily a love gift that we give to God, through other people.  As we serve we share with Jesus in showing the new kingdom that he has brought about.  Service therefore isn’t about what we do, but the attitude and motivation with which we do it. 

The service that we give can be connected to the congregation or not.  We encourage people to find their place of service wherever it happens to be.  For some this happens through community groups, local schools, agencies of the church or individual actions in their neighbourhoods.  Since this service takes place away from the gathered church community it often goes unnoticed.  Yet we want to acknowledge and support all of those in our congregation who embody their faith in service.  If you know of others who serve outside the congregation, please take the time to thank them, ask about their service and pray for them.  If your service is outside the church, please let others know.  Not to blow your own horn, but as an encouragement to them and to find a support base for yourself.

Thank you to each of you who serve and show the reality of God’s kingdom.  As you do serve, please continue to find new ways of growing in your faith.

To do this it might be helpful for you to ask yourselves some questions.  First, consider how selfless your service is.  Gauge the extent to which you’re doing it for the sake of God and others.  Second, reflect on the positive impact your service has on your discipleship.  Does it lead you to trust God more?  More fully rely on the power of his Holy Spirit?  Does what you’re doing change the lives of others for the better and enable them to see Jesus more clearly?  Third, identify the connection between what you do and God’s desire to build his church.  The reason for our service can sometimes be lost or confused, particularly if we’ve been serving in the same area for many years.  Identifying this connection unites us all through our different forms of service.  Please take some time to prayerfully consider these questions.  It may be that you don’t have answers for some of them, or that you don’t like the answers that you come up with.  That’s great because it gives you a reason to look again at what you do and align yourself closer with God’s plan and purpose for you in his church.