I don't know about you, but there are certain topics that when they get mentioned on a Sunday, get my blood pumping...evangelism, discipleship, children's ministry, faith in the workspace, giving, leadership... the list goes on. Given my role at Grace London (Operations), one of those topics is serving. Our church wouldn't be able to function or flourish without the faithful and persistent service of our church family. We currently have ~175 people serving on a volunteer team rota. I want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all of you who volunteer, for all your hard work and dedication to serving our church family.
Serving isn't a special task that God gives to just a few of us, 'the special few', but is something that all of us are called to. We don't simply serve out of obedience (although that's no bad thing). Serving blesses us in so many different ways. Peter, instructed the church with these words: 'Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms... If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides' (1 Peter 4.10-11). Peter is saying a couple of very encouraging things: 1. Using the gifts God has given us, in service, is one of the ways we can faithfully steward God's grace in our lives. 2. Whenever we serve, God will give us the strength that we need. What a challenging and reassuring message!
Serving on a Sunday volunteer team is such a practical way of showing our commitment to Christ and each other. This doesn't mean that all of us have to serve in the same way (like a team of Christian robots), but we can each use our God-given gifts in the particular way that God has designed and equipped us to. We have so many different ways that you can serve at Grace London. Whether you're an extrovert or an introvert, love meeting new people, prefer people you already know, enjoy technical details, get there early, or prefer staying late, there are plenty of ways to serve. We each have unique skills, gifts and abilities that we can bring, so don't be put off if you feel like there isn't a space for you in one of our serving teams.
Coincidentally, my favourite biblical passage sums up the call to serve beautifully. In Philippians 2.1-11, Paul says:
'So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'
We serve because Jesus served us.
Why I Serve?
"Serving at Grace is an active way for me to be involved in community and support those around me. I believe contributing where there is a need is so helpful in building a strong, unified church for God’s glory."
- Joe // Venue
"It is such a blessing to welcome people on Sunday, whether it’s getting first-timers connected or seeing familiar faces and hearing about their week. I always feel energised after serving and it is a great way to get to know the church!"
- Nissi // Welcome
“I’ve always enjoyed being around kids and find it so fulfilling that we get to play a small part in their development as individuals in the community.”
- Fisola // Grace Tots