Every Member is a Servant | A Three-Part Article Series | Part 3: Deploying

Josh Pool

We’ve spent time defining service and debunking its primary hindrance, an overly individualized view of calling. In other words, we’ve asked two main questions so far: (1) Why should I serve? And (2) What’s keeping me from serving? Well now, we ask one final question: (3) Where can I start?

            While many of you are already serving faithfully, this final article is to help us all identify fresh opportunities to strengthen and build up our local church. Just recently, we had our Ministry Team fair, which gave a great snapshot of various needs all throughout our church’s life. But here are just a few areas that I personally see:

-     Our nursery and children’s ministry on Sundays and Wednesdays. We need several more volunteers by August. Talk with Katie Tillman!

-     Our college and young adults. We would love to have a couple or two come alongside several of our members (and recent visitors) who can pour in time and discipleship to these younger believers. Speak with me if you’re interested in this.

-     Our senior care team. This includes looking after, visiting, calling, praying for our senior saints whose health challenges may keep them from joining the typical gathering rhythms of the church. Talk with Nick Evans.

-     Our music team. We need a few more willing and capable musicians and singers to step in to come alongside our music team as they look to strengthen our congregational singing both inside and outside the Sunday gathering.

There are certainly more. This conversation could go on for quite some time. If you’re looking for ways to serve, contact us. We’ll get you connected to the right person.

Reflect

            Remember: the goal is not merely to fill ministry positions and keep our people endlessly busy. The goal is to build up the body where it has its greatest needs.

            For now, ask a few final questions of yourself:

• Which of these opportunities most immediately caught my attention?

• Is there a need in our church that I am uniquely positioned to help meet?

• What is one concrete step I can take in the next two weeks to strengthen and build up another member?

• Is there any illegitimate reason that keeps from taking the next step?

Conclusion

            I’m excited about where our little church is headed. We’re beholding Christ, equipping his church, and seeking to make him known to the ends of the earth. We’re seeing Christ-exalting worship, deliberate discipling, leaders being raised up, children and youth being taught the gospel. We’re hearing reports of what God is doing through our missions partners around the world. God is working in and through our church.

            Let’s steward all that God is doing through serving well. Take a fresh look. What needs do you see? Where can you be of help?

            I’m blessed by regularly getting the question, ‘How can I help?’ Or, ‘Let me know what you need.’ Here’s my response: Show up early on Sundays ready to exalt Christ, encourage the saints, and evangelize unbelievers. Sign up wherever you can and give it all you have. Be in a deliberate, ongoing discipling relationship. Genuinely pursue friendships with members you don’t know well. Take interest in the spiritual well-being of our congregation. Love Christ by loving his church. Behold Christ by helping others do the same.