Archive for serving in the church

Praying as a Means of Serving

Tucked away in Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth story is a woman named Anna. A widow for almost all of her adult life, the Bible says this about how Anna spent decades of time:

Luke 2:37 (CSB)

…She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

Anna’s dedication to prayer was counted as service to the Lord. Prayer can be viewed as service in some very practical and important ways.

First, Prayer serves God. When we pray, we aren’t providing God with information that He needs. But we are providing God with interaction that He wants. Scripture is filled with examples of how God invites us to call upon Him, seek Him, ask of Him, and cry out to Him. Because God desires for us to have this dynamic, active relationship with Him, we serve Him when we pray. 

Second, Prayer serves Others. Within His own sovereign authority, God has determined to work through the prayers of His people to accomplish something in another person’s life. In Acts 12, Peter is in prison, but the Bible makes a point to note that the church was praying for him. God miraculously delivers Peter in response to those prayers. We also serve others in prayer by letting them know that we are lifting up their needs to the Father. Many are encouraged to hear that someone else is praying for them.

Third, Prayer is a service to yourself. In 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel remarks that to fail to pray for the people of Israel would be a sin against the Lord. Praying for others is an act of service to self because it maintains personal holiness, closeness to God, and greater understanding of His will.

Like Anna, when you pray you are serving God!

Written by David Bond, Executive Administrator, Arkansas Baptist State Convention

Prayer as a catalyst for a focus on serving others

Think back to when you first met Jesus. Would it not have been easy to selfishly grab hold of only what salvation had to offer you? Security. Eternal bliss. Future promises. Walking with God. But what about focus on others? What? One could easily be caught up in the things that God has in store for their life or family, but what about the people of whom God has placed around them? Prayer should actually lead to that type of discipleship mindset. When one humbly comes before Holy God, the main focus cannot be self only. Initially, yes, the heart is drawn to God, but will eventually bend thoughts toward others’ needs – completely outside of oneself.

Consider the passage in Mark 10:37 when James and John asked Jesus, “Allow us to sit at your right and your left in glory.” — asking for a place at the table of glory! We tend to think, “How could they ask such a selfish question?”. In reality, all Christians are capable of such selfish behavior because of a Genesis 3 world. Outside of Christ, no one would be able to live unselfishly. Jesus replied, “On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be slave to all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CSB)

Then one should ask, if that is true, where is that biblical principle expressed with prayer. Two strong examples come to mind. First, we find Jesus in the upper room with the Twelve. Jesus knows exactly what is about to unfold, yet He prays a prayer over them instead of himself. In John 17:11-16, “Holy Father, protect them . . . that they may be one . . . joy completed in them . . . so that they may be sanctified by the truth”. (CSB)This narrative is an amazing example of selfless servanthood. Through Jesus’ intimate prayers, He called upon the Father to minister to these men who would become future pastors, leaders, and martyrs.

Secondly, the greatest example is found in Mark 14:36, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will but what you will.” (CSB)It could be quite easy for a believer to simply wash over these verses and go on to another activity in their life. Jesus not only placed the Twelve at the top of His priority list, but the entire world of sinners. He died to show that servanthood was more important than glorification.

What does it take for a believer to come to the realization that serving others trumps glorification? Answer: Prayer that leads to humility. When one prays, unworthiness rises to the top. That unworthiness subsequently points to others and challenges one not to serve themselves. Therefore, the goal is to resist selfishness through vibrant prayer that leads to true servanthood.

Written by Dr. Tim Turner, Dir.of Evangelism & Discipleship, WV Convention of Southern Baptists

3 Ways to Deploy Group Members in Service

Growing-to-ServeWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Ephesians 2:10 is a verse that gets overshadowed by its predecessor (2:9), but it contains an equally powerful message: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You have heard it said, “We are saved to serve” and that is true. However, in recent years we have exchanged “come, let’s serve the Lord together” for “come on in and have a seat.” People are created to serve and sense that they truly belong when they are serving in and with the group.

WHAT DO I DO?

Inside the Group

A leader is wise to involve as many people in serving inside the group as possible. Teachers, according to Ephesians 4, are not to do ministry for everyone but to equip everyone for the work of ministry. If a person is given a service to perform during the group time, they are more likely to be present and on-time.  If nothing is expected of them, then attendance becomes optional. Think of as many possible tasks that can be done: set-up team member, greeters, care leaders, fellowship leaders, host/hospitality leaders, and so forth. Seek to involve everyone.

Through the Group

Hopefully, you will begin to have group members leaving the group to start a new group or to serve in another age group ministry in the church. Groups should consider these people as missionaries serving beyond the group. Seek way to serve these missionaries. It may be serving in their place when they are on vacation or cannot be present. It may be serving them by making provisions for their new ministry. Your missionaries should see their former group as people willing and ready to serve them.

Beyond the Group

It is wise for every group to look for service opportunities for members in the church, in the community, in the city, and beyond. Mission service projects tend to unify the group and focus it on being a Great Commandment/Great Commission ministry. Look where group members go and are engaged beyond the group, are there ways the group can serve in those areas? For example, if group members have children that are involved in a recreational sports league, how might your group serve and minister to others who are involved. The Great Commission reminds us to make disciples as we go and wherever we go. So, go and serve.

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Daniel Edmonds is the Director of the Office of Sunday School and Discipleship at the Alabama State Board of Missions