Called to Serve

Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” Matthew 20:26b-28a

A few Sundays ago we read Jeremiah’s call in worship. I said the Lord calls all of us to do something (or many somethings!). Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who join God’s work of transforming the world. So I asked, “What is God calling you to do?” both within the ministry of the church and outside the walls of the church.

In her book, Ultimately Responsible, Sue Nilson Kibbey writes, “...when a person makes a decision for Christ, the old life is gone and the new life of Jesus fills the believer. So if the life of Jesus lives and is embodied in you, then you have joined Jesus on mission to serve the needs of the world. Not serving is not an option.”

At times there are people who think it’s my job as the pastor to do the ministry. It is certainly true that I’m called to serve, too, but I’m not called to serve in place of the people of the church. Rather, my job is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). Our church, Salem, exists to help prepare and equip you to serve, to be Jesus in the world today. Again, Salem’s mission is to develop fully engaged disciples of Jesus and unleash them in service to the world.

Sometimes we are called to a specific ministry (service), and sometimes we are called to serve wherever we can, wherever there is a need.

When I was starting a new church in Des Moines ten years ago, we were meeting in a former driver-through bank building out in front of a mall. I was there early getting ready for people to arrive when I noticed a couple in the yard outside the building. They had arrived for our gathering, but instead of coming right in they began picking up the garbage in the yard. In fact, they came inside and asked for a trash bag so they could clean up the yard and make it look nice.

I knew they’d be leaders in the new congregation because of their servant hearts. They didn’t think it was anyone else’s job. They didn’t think picking up garbage was beneath them. None of us should. Jesus is the One who wrapped a towel around himself and washed his disciples’ feet as a servant.

Sue Nilson Kibbey writes, “In the language of the Kingdom, those who serve are called “servants” by Jesus. “Volunteers,” the terminology used in many churches, is the language of the club. Volunteers give of their time when it is convenient and whenever they personally choose. Servants, however, have a master who is in charge, and servants obey for a lifetime. Serving is not something a servant chooses when it’s easy or convenient. It’s a way of life, an identity.”

To think of it another way, being a Christian isn’t a privilege (I get to go to heaven when I die!); being a follower of Jesus is a responsibility (We have a task!). This is the misunderstood doctrine of election.

To be chosen does not simply mean we get to go to heaven. Election is about whom God chooses to be incorporated into God’s mission of transforming the world. Following Jesus is a responsibility! In Jesus we receive an invitation to join God’s mission, bringing Salem/shalom to a broken world (health, wholeness, completeness, well-being, friendship, justice, beauty, salvation).

In what way is God calling you to serve? Salem exists to help prepare and equip you to serve, to be Jesus in the world today. Let’s do this together!


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