Jesus Is Calling You Into His Service

Jesus is calling you into His service. Too many people think that you have to be a pastor to be in the service of God or to be called. As a member of the District and Conference Boards on Ordained Ministry too often see well intended lay people wanting to serve God and thinking they have a call into ordained ministry.

God calls all of us into His ministry. 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. This passage is in the midst of God calling his people to holiness and service. We are all called.

In the recent debate over how we will be in ministry together as a church we have discussed our vision – to make disciples of Jesus Christ and how best to do that. We have discussed three goals we would like to accomplish; 1) a dedicated education time on Sunday mornings, 2) unified worship and 3) an outreach into the community.

This discussion has prompted us to consider moving some of our worship services offsite until such time as we build a larger worship center here or elsewhere. We have talked about our Sunday morning schedule. We have considered a number of changes and we have heard support and some concerns.

We probably haven’t unearthed all the options available to us as we strive to reach our three goals. I pray God will help us discern what is best for His church at MZ.

Along with this discussion a number of other things have surfaced. One of them is a need to examine our hearts and reasons for coming to church in the first place. How many of us “simply” come to worship and that ends our efforts for the Lord? How many of us offer to help around the church? Most of us could help to keep a flower bed clean of weeds and in some inexpensive color. Many of us could serve as ushers, greeters, on a committee, in other support ministries. Some of us, if not most of us, could be used in the children’s and youth ministry. Where are you helping make your church a better place? If you’re waiting for a sense of connection at MZ, there is no better way than to offer to serve in some ministry. You will be working with others who have a similar heart and interest and will get to know them by rolling up your sleeves so to speak and getting at it for the Lord.

Once you find a place to plug in I want to remind you that you should take your task very seriously. Volunteers are just unpaid workers in the harvest field of the Lord. Your part is very important, at times, allowing the paid staff to do things they might only be able to do. But, without your support and work, they might not get to those other tasks because they are filling the gap we all should be filling.

When you work with children, with the yard, with the worship service or any other place, do it to your best ability. Don’t show up for a class to teach without taking time to prepare. Don’t wait till Saturday night late when you know weeks ahead of time to call or try to find someone to fill in for you. Take your task seriously! Here what God’s Word says.

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

You are called and you are needed. And when, not if, you get plugged into the work of the Lord, do it to your best ability! God notices, even if no one else does, and your efforts will make MZ a better church.

Shock them! Grab Pastor’s Wade and Tony in the halls and ask them where they need you to work in the discipleship ministries of the church. Ask Wade & Rachel what SonBurst needs. Seek out John Hines, Sr. and ask him what needs repaired or maintained around the church. Send me a note and tell me where you would like to work in the coming year. Talk to Norma and Vicki and tell them of your interest in the music ministry of the church. Call the office and tell Christi you would like to volunteer some time (30 minutes a week would do amazing things) to help in the office. You can do it, I know you can, because – we can do everything through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13.