Stepping up to serve

By Pastor Tom Anderson

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. --Galatians 5:13

A friend–who lives in Florida–called me the other night to complain about his church. It seems they have a woman who volunteered to lead a ministry to moms of young children on a local military base. He complained that this ministry was too narrowly focused and what really needed to be done was to reach out to serve the broader community of those who live and work on base. He took his complaint to his pastor and now he was making his case to me–2000 miles away.

I listened intently and when the moment came for my response, I said simply, “I think you are being called to ministry. Why don’t you come alongside this volunteer leader in your church and offer to begin a Bible study on base during the lunch hour or a prayer group or some other outreach of your own imagination?” There was a long silence. When you’ve got the time to call somebody who lives 2000 miles away to complain about how a church volunteer leads a ministry–I say it’s time for you to get in the game. Don’t stand on the sidewalk criticizing the workers, pick up a hammer and help build the house!

Serving in ministry is basic to Christian living. How is your serve? Do you need to improve your serve? Are you afraid of serving? Are you tired of serving? Do you believe you have aged out of serving? Do you wish someone would ask you to serve? Do you have trouble trying to figure out where to serve? Keep in mind Paul’s words. Serving isn’t about “doing your part” or “pulling your weight” or “doing your duty”. It’s about love–only love: through love serve one another. O Lord, increase our love for you and for each other!

Here are just a few opportunities for you to get in the game at Thrive:

Church Grounds clean-up August 26, 9 am-11 am. Trimming, pruning, raking and bagging to beautify our grounds and honor the Lord. Just show up with your work gloves!

Coffee hour coordinator. We are looking for an individual or a small team of people to provide snacks for our Sunday morning coffee hour. Coffee is already made by our house barista, Cristy Powell. We only need snacks. It’s a key touch of hospitality for our guests to enjoy at Thrive.

Children and Youth workers–have you taken the training and been certified to serve in our children or youth ministries? We’d love to have you in the pool–talk to Sue Cole or myself.

Monthly youth event coordinator–our youth team has a vision for a new way of providing wholesome Christian fellowship for middle and high school students. Let me know if you are called to this!

Thursday morning cleaning crew. Every Thursday morning at 6 AM volunteers clean the floors, windows, bathrooms and take out the trash. Many hands make light work, plus there’s free coffee in the kitchen afterwards! See Frank Sherman.