Why Should I Serve at Church?
Last week at our church the pastor presented the annual report before the message. You can catch both in the recording here. Probably like your church, God is moving mightily in and through ours. The report had many, many great things to celebrate, and really only one significant area of concern. Do you know the area of concern? Perhaps your church shares it.
People are coming to Jesus, they are being baptized, and all the less critical measures of a healthy church are strong. But a striking number was revealed. Of the number of people attending on Sunday morning, only about 10% are serving on what we call Dream Teams. These are the volunteers who put in their time and talents to accomplish the mission we’ve all been called to.
I’ve Been Burned Out Before
I remember a church my lovely bride and I were part of many years ago. It was a small church with Jesus loving people and a wonderfully engaging pastor. It was clear He loved the Lord and the people God brought to him. But this church had a similar problem. Very few volunteers for the number of activities.
My favorite girl and I served in many ways. In fact, we were asked to serve so often and so much that we eventually burned out. I even built up a bit of resentment against not just those asking us to serve, but against those who didn’t step up. We were early in our marriage and young with tons of energy, until we overdid it.
Based on that experience, and those of others more recently who’ve done WAY more than might be expected, you might assume I’d be leery to volunteer to serve. That would be a reasonable assumption. But the truth is, when we started at our current church, we immediately started looking for where God would have us serve.
Now, lest you think I’m either a glutton for punishment or almost unbelievably altruistic, let me tell you something. However, I’ve discovered that sometimes I think serving is better for ME than the people I serve. So yeah, I’m kinda selfish in wanting to serve.
The Friend Factor
For the majority of people, you make your friends fairly early in life. In fact, by age 23 most people have reached their lifetime peak number of friends, and it declines from there. And apparently, the best way to make friends is not online, but in person.
Guess where you can easily make friends in person as an over 23 year old adult? In church!
Now, there are basically three ways to make friends at a church:
1) Unplanned conversations
2) Small groups
3) Serving together
There are other, less common methods, such as mission trips, but those fall under serving together, albeit for more limited period of time. The first option is unplanned conversation. For example, you say hello to someone in the foyer and strike up a conversation. Then maybe you see them again next week and do so again. After enough Sundays you decide to get together for coffee, or go golfing, or perhaps a playdate with your kids. Unplanned conversations are a possible way to make friends, but not predictable. The problem is, one critical aspect of making a good friend is spending time together. Unless at least one of you is going to step out and offer an invitation, you’ll likely only remain foyer friends.
The second option is through small groups. Truth be told, this is a FANTASTIC way to combine growth in the Lord and making deep friendships. This isn’t a post about small groups, but if you’re not in one, you’re missing out on one of the most impactful ways the Lord will grow you and allow you to help others grow.
Finally, we reach the idea of serving together. In a small group you’re going to probably make friends with whom you clearly have something in common. For example, my lovely bride is in a women’s small group within a defined age range. In many ways they’re at or near the same life stages, and they relate well together. It may be a group of all singles, or a recovery group, or another common factor. But serving together is different.
In my case, I serve on the first-time guest host team. Our role is to greet people who have never been to our church before, give them some basic information, show them where things are, how to check in any children, and answer initial questions. Our time with new people is literally somewhere between two and five minutes. It’s easy, fun (if you like meeting new people), and is a great way to help relieve some of the apprehension we all have when visiting a new church. I loved how we were greeted our first time and really enjoy being that person for others.
But the people on our team don’t have time to make friends with our visitors. We are smiling faces trying to make it just a bit smoother for them. However, we spend 30-60 minutes with other members of our team at the doors, talking and sharing about our lives. Unlike a small group, where the focus is on a combination of the topic we’re studying and its application to life, when we are serving the conversations are more casual and fluid. One isn’t better than the other, and both are great opportunities to begin building the bonds of friendship.
In addition, on the teams we have a wide variety of people. Women and men, from teenagers to retirees. Different backgrounds, different life experiences, different places of origin, all thrown together by the Lord in our mutual desire to serve others. Oh yes, I love to serve, and one reason is the opportunity to make friends who care about you, pray for you, and enjoy doing what you enjoy. One last point on friends. According to studies, a strong relationship network is more important for long life than even exercise and eating in a healthy manner. So serve on a team and make new friends!
The Obedience Factor
You know another benefit of serving at your local church? You’re obeying the Lord.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
-1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Peter is telling us God has given us gifts for the purpose of serving others. Although our gifts can benefit us, they are part of what Jesus called us to do when He told us the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Serving people is a command of God. It’s part of obedience.
The Fun Factor
Do you know what’s not fun? Always being alone. I have a close relative. He’s very comfortable by himself. He reads many books and enjoys plenty of movies, all alone. And yet, he still seeks out family on a regular basis. He’s also looking for ways to make new friends. Why? Because God created us for relationship.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
When we serve together, we are more productive. When we serve together we can help each other even when we struggle. And when serving together we have greater joy!
Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.
-Proverbs 27:9 TPT
Think about times when you’ve served on a team at church. I don’t know about you, but I’ve laughed so very much when serving on both short term projects, like decorating for an event such as a fall festival, or long term, working on a technical team. Every Sunday morning we laugh over and over as we greet new visitors. Serving on a team can be a great time!
The Wrap Up
Here is the truth. Serving at the local church is every Jesus follower’s responsibility. Not 10%, 20%, or even 70%. All of us should be serving in some capacity. To not serve is to disobey the Lord.
I do want to point out that just because you’re asked to do some particular type of service does not mean that it is the right way of serving for you or that you’re obligated to serve in that way.
I know we want to say yes to be helpful. But the effectiveness of your service to the Kingdom is connected to both using your God-given gifts in the right manner AND doing so with the right attitude. Serving begrudgingly is generally worse than not serving at all.
Each should give according to what he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
-2 Corinthians 9:7 CJB
I know this verse is about giving our offerings to God, but I feel comfortable also applying it to the gift of our service back to God. God loves a cheerful giver. If you are asked to serve, then consider whether it is something God is calling you to do. Sometimes you will have an immediate YES reaction. If so, then jump right in! Other times you may not have such a quick witness in your heart from the Holy Spirit. It’s ok to take some time to pray and consult others who know you well and also love the Lord. And it’s also ok to say no if it’s not the right type of service for you or if it’s not the right timing.
So always find a way or ways to serve. Serving at church allows us to make friends, to have more joy, and to love others as God has called us to do.
Love you Jesus follower!
-Troy
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