I work full-time as an Associate Pastor of the Kids Ministry at NBCC. Many years ago before joining the pastoral staff at my previous church, I was a long-time volunteer for various roles and ministries. Even though my title changed from a volunteer to a children’s pastor, my mindset towards what I do hasn’t really changed.
My calling is to serve.
But what does serving look like outside of a church setting? Is serving only for those who work in ministries? Or is serving only at church or a ministry setting?
I think the best way to address these questions is with a story:
Isaiah Sneed was a high school student when Kids Ministry was meeting on Zoom in 2020-21. He joined our meetings as a Jr. Leader and he showed amazing leadership. He was reliable, excellent in teaching and engaging with kids, and pleasant to work with. Adult leaders and kids alike adored him.
One day, many years later, I noticed a young man at a local supermarket. He was working as a cashier and caught my attention. He was not doing anything out of the ordinary, but his attentiveness, politeness, confident and pleasant demeanor stood out to me. As I stepped up to the register to pay, I suddenly realized the cashier was none other than Isaiah! His servant's heart carries through in every area of his life - wherever he is and whatever he does. Working or serving, he’s fully present and shares his best self to be good to others. He works as if he serves in the church.
Our roles at work look different. Some deal with people firsthand more than others. Some tasks are not so visible as they support people, teams, and organizations in the background.
Colossians 3:23-24 tells us that we, asJesus followers, are to do all things as if we’re working for the Lord. This means that we go beyond what is required, even when no one is watching, because it is for the Lord, and this is what “serving” means.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
There are times we grow weary while doing good. While discerning what God is calling us to do in a particular season is important, we need to check our hearts to see what discourages us from serving.
1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
1 Timothy 1:12 reminds us that we serve through the strength Jesus gives us, and because Jesus considers us trustworthy and appoints us to his service. He didn’t call us to honor, glory, title, compensation or a position. He doesn’t expect us to have it all together to be able to serve. We rely on Jesus to give us strength. And we are called by Jesus to serve. If our expectations are not aligned with the calling, we can experience resentment, disappointment, exhaustion and confusion, which lead to easily giving up or neglecting the calling.
Whether it is within our job description or outside of it, we are called to serve. The opportunities are all around us: at work, at home, on the street, at church, and online.
Each day, there’s something we can do to serve and be a blessing to others. Ask God, “How can I be a blessing to someone today?”
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