Serve (Part 2)

I started playing tennis when I was about thirteen years old. I started by going to the courts with my friend and his older brothers, who were playing high school tennis. I would take one of my parents’ old wooden rackets that had been stored away. We rarely hit a ball in the court. But something about that environment grabbed me, and a desire to play developed. I wanted to learn to play tennis, not just hit balls.

I got some instruction from my friend’s brothers and kept going to the courts practicing what I learned, observing players, and mimicking what I saw. When I reached high school, I had the opportunity to start the school tennis program. And for the first time I got some real instruction on how to properly serve. It is hard to play a game of tennis if you do not serve the ball.

Serving starts the point. And without a proper serve there is no way for there to be a competitive point, game, or match. Learning a proper serve was very important.

As church members we must learn to serve. In one sense, part of our new nature gives us the desire to serve. But we also must be discipled to serve. We need to be put in an environment to serve. We need a culture of serving one another.

In John 13, as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet that was unusual, but it did not come out of nowhere. In many ways it was like me as a young teenager. I was around tennis, I was watching tennis, and I began to play tennis. But I needed someone to show me how to serve and then give me instructions to improve that serve until it was a proper serve.

If you are already involved in a ministry in the church, be observant of those who are hanging around. Come alongside them and begin including them in serving. Show them how you do what you do and encourage them in their attempts until their serving becomes natural for them.

If you are not currently serving the church but have a desire for God to use you in His kingdom and for His glory, then get on the court. Be with the church in as many situations as possible. Attend every service. Go to Bible studies that are offered during the week. Be present. Ask questions of those who you see serving in ministries to which you are drawn. Be available. God wants His people to love one another by serving one another. There are hundreds of ways that can be done each and every week. I know the following list may be long, but grab one or more of these ideas, and take a swing. You will be serving before you know it.

1. Welcome people as they come in and help them find where they need to go
2. Volunteer in the church nursery
3. Provide a ride for people who cannot drive (children, elderly, disabled, etc)
4. Host a “Parent’s night out” with childcare
5. Stick around to clean up after service or special events
6. Mentor younger church members, couples, or families
7. Visit people in the hospital
8. Run copies for Sunday school teachers, class leaders
9. Help set up for special events
10. Stuff envelopes in the church office
11. Call and invite new visitors to return
12. Teach a class
13. Sing in the worship choir, praise team, or play an instrument
14. Send cards to people who have recently had a baby or other exciting life event
15. Send cards to those in the hospital, battling illness or who have lost a loved one
16. Hold an umbrella for people coming in/leaving on rainy days
17. Help finalize details for special events
18. Work in AVL ministry
19. Fix broken items around the church
20. Help out with the student ministry
21. Paint or decorate outdated classrooms
22. Shovel snow in the winter
23. Do yardwork/housework for church members who need help
24. Drive children/teens to off-campus church activities/events
25. Pray for the pastors, staff, church members, missionaries, and those in your community
26. Volunteer in the church office
27. Retrieve parents of crying children from service
28. Offer medical assistance when someone has a medical emergency
29. Record videos to use during service or in the youth group
30. Answer the phone
31. Run errands for supplies
32. Work with the security team
33. Periodically roam the hallways to help people find their way to ministries or classes
34. Invite other families over for lunch after church
35. Donate candy, pencils, Bibles, food and other supplies
36. Offer wedding planning
37. Help with social media or websites
38. Take pictures of special events
39. Gather everyone’s information for the church directory
40. Organize the resource center or library
41. Offer counseling to hurting church members
42. Compliment others regularly
43. Introduce people to each other
44. Coordinate a special service project opportunity
45. Work with children’s music programs
46. Be the first to participate, to encourage others to participate too
47. Help organize vacation Bible school
48. Knit blankets for new babies (either for the nursery or to take home)
49. Restock pews with offering envelopes and pen
50. Bring small toys to give to children in the service
51. Be responsible for advertising church events in your community
52. Direct traffic after service lets out
53. Start and maintain a “Jobs” or “Opportunities” bulletin board
54. Open your home for youth group events
55. Help late-comers find seats
56. Decorate for Christmas
57. Set up a clothes donation box (particularly winter gear) for those in need
58. Sit near the front or back of church to minister to those who need someone to talk to

By His Grace and For His Glory,                                 

Pastor Mark