Church Work

Serve the Lord with gladness. – Psalm 100:2

In just about every church, a very small percentage of the congregation does the work that needs to be done. In general, you see the same people directing traffic, greeting, taking up offering, singing and playing in the worship band, serving in the nursery, leading Life Groups, leading children’s programs and teaching the youth. Solid adults who feel called to serve in these areas are scarce.

What do you do in your local church? If you do anything at all, do you do it because you have to? Or, do you do it because you want to? The difference is night and day.

I have spoken to musicians who feel “stuck.” There is nobody else to fill the need that they fill, so they do it simply to fulfill the need. There are countless people serving right now who are burned out because there is absolutely no relief in sight. It absolutely should not be this way. There is a better way.

I believe the key is to gain an eternal perspective. If you believe that your service to the Lord could be used to change where someone spends eternity, you will begin to serve the Lord with gladness. If you will begin to look at what you do or will be doing as a ministry, you will begin to want to serve. People will see a light in you that they want and need. Your light will begin to shine before men, they will see your good deeds, and glorify your Father in Heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

This works at work as well. If you see your job or your studies as service unto The Lord, you will become magnetic. In our current culture, there is this attitude where people want to do as little as possible, but receive maximum reward. If someone sees you have a great attitude while working, they honestly think something is wrong with you. This is the perfect opportunity to tell people about the living God that you serve. Serve the Lord with gladness.

I envision a church where everyone serves Him with gladness. Honestly, isn’t that what Heaven will ultimately be? I can only imagine what would be accomplished through a man or woman who would silently pray for God to intervene on a visitor’s behalf as they greeted them and shook their hand at the door. What would become of the nursery worker who is glad to pray for those babies as they hold them? What if they spent an hour praying for their souls, their family, and the ministries that would soon be in their future? Will you figure out where God would have you serve, and go for it? Serve the Lord with gladness!

Let me give you an example of why this is so important. When Tonya and I felt God was leading us to Lifeline Community Church, I basically laid one fleece out before the Lord. I said, “Lord, if you want us here, you have to make it so our kids want to go here. If they don’t like it, we can’t go.” After leaving the church service, I asked my little girl, “Did you like it?” “Yes, daddy, I loved it!” I was amazed, so I pressed further, “What did you like so much about it?” “Daddy, they have doughnuts out front that you can just get one for free!”

I couldn’t help but smile. Somebody took the time to get up early, buy doughnuts, make coffee, set up a table, and work at what has to make for a pretty long morning. Not to mention, they got to clean it all up at the end. I would be willing to bet that the people who did it that morning did it with gladness. What an unbelievable difference it made in the life and future of my family!

Ask God where He wants you to serve. What ministry does He want you involved with? When it becomes clear, do it with all your heart, completely confident that the Holy Spirit living inside of you will change hearts, minds, and lives.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Later

Adam