SERVICE

Have been thinking a lot this morning about service and where I fit into the church community I belong to http://www.sanctus1.co.uk. I emailed the following to fellow members as part of ongoing discussions we have been having:-

"Hey there all you beautiful people. We have not had our Sanctus1@Nexus meeting about "service" yet but thought I would offer some thoughts:-

To me, serving the community is about recognising the needs of others and being willing to muck in and assist, according to your gifting, in whatever way you are able, e.g. offering an ear, a word of encouragement, praying for someone, offering hospitality, leading discussions, organising events, financial assistance, setting down, cleaning the church, making newcomers welcome, tea duties (and cakes - yes please Eva) etc etc etc. We serve God through serving others and such service should not be acted out for praise and glory but with humility, a loving heart and by being real with each other.

Philipians 2:5-8:
In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross.

I myself fear being pigeon holed or categorised. I see myself like a lava lamp, evolving from shape to shape or metamorphosing into other shapes, depending on who and what is around me and new things I learn. Saying that, I do appreciate that some roles through their very nature do need definition, identity, commitment and the dreaded "title" but that shouldn't make others feel, how can I put it, "less worthy" or whatever. It is important that everyone should feel valued and equal whatever and however they contribute.

Also, someone mentioned at the shared service that we can all go through dry periods and we need to be able to support people through this and let them receive for a time, without there being any pressure to give back - in these times their mere presence is serving in my eyes. If each and every person's role was given identity, would such a person then feel they were letting others down? I'm not sure that would be conducive to making them feel a part of the community.

I came across the following model for service, which I found interesting and may help you think about where you can serve:-

S Spiritual Gifts How have I been gifted?

H Heart What do I get passionate about?

A Abilities What am I able to do?

P Personality What best fits the type of person I am?

E Experience What have I been through in life, and how can that help others?

One last thought - would it be helpful to have some sort of diagram to show the various ways in which people can get involved and keep it somewhere prominent?

Have got loads more going around in my head but gotta go........didn't intned on writing so much.

Peace to one and all.

Julie x"