Why Serve the Church
It’s not easy to wake up early on a Saturday morning after working full time (and then some) Monday through Friday. I don’t have the luxury to take time off or sit back in my chair most days, so when Saturday rolls around, I’m tired from a full week of tasks, demands, emotions, struggles, challenges, papers, appointments, and an arguably severe lack of sleep to fuel me for all of those things.
So why do I get up? It’s Saturday.
Why do I leave the comfort and warmth of my bed to get up and volunteer and serve the church?
I certainly know that I’m called to be the hands and feet of God. (1 Corinthians 12:27) But I don’t think that’s why I’m doing it. I like being a morning person, but I think for me, serving has become much more personal.
Two years ago, I was in the fight for my life. I made some bad decisions and hurt people who trusted me, and I was deeper trouble than I had ever been in my life. I had a literal mountain to climb to just survive.
I didn’t have a job at the time, and unemployment benefits isn’t much. I didn’t have a place to go. I wasn’t sure where my next meal was coming from some days.
I thought multiple times that my best way forward was to end my life.
But I kept going to church which saved my life.
Every week and sometimes every day, I was being served by the church. When I was broke (and even now), people from Severn Run were buying me lunch. I ended staying with a family from Severn Run for almost six months – rent free – and was fed meals for free often.
Friends, mentors, and others from connect groups were supportive and encouraging through my tough times.
A lot of time, I didn’t have anything to give, but I needed so much. Yet, nearly every turn, the church served me.
I absolutely did not deserve it. I had turned my back on God for a long time, and I to answer for mistakes.
But the church absolutely loved me and told me I was worth so much.
There’s probably hundreds of Biblically justified reasons to serve the Church by joining the worship team, working with the Transformation Center in Brooklyn Park, helping with Collide the youth group, or giving your time to some ministry for the community.
The one I’ve found most relatable is Philippians 4:19 which says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
We can be on either side of that. If we embrace our call, we can be the tool, listening ear, generous friend, or servant that God uses to meet his children’s needs. We can also see our needs met through God’s beautiful plan through the body of Christ – the Church.
So why serve the church? For me, I serve because the church served me.