Serving Through Our Gifts

[Floatingaxe]

Serving Through Our Gifts

When was the last time you volunteered at church? Was the experience enjoyable, or did you merely serve out of a sense of obligation? Perhaps your church responsibility left you feeling so drained that you never signed up for another commitment, and now you feel guilty for not contributing.

We are all uniquely created to do certain jobs well---some of us are musical, others are athletes, and still others are gifted mechanically. The Lord gives each new believer a spiritual gift in order to edify the body of Christ.

Romans 12:6-8 lists seven

[Guest HIS girl]

One thing I will add, may the serving and using of our Gifts NOT be restricted to Church only....it is for the benefit of others outside the Church too (extremely so).....I only mention this because I have seen this happen.

[Floatingaxe]

One thing I will add, may the serving and using of our Gifts NOT be restricted to Church only....it is for the benefit of others outside the Church too (extremely so).....I only mention this because I have seen this happen.

What you say is absolutely true, but the point was that we need to edify the Body of Christ. It is not a selfish thing or neglecting the world--it is necessary. The gifts are mainly for the Body to edify itself. Building up each other in the Lord is what we need in order to be able to win the world to Jesus.

[healingoil]

Yep. Pastors make a point of preaching about this very thing. Some people have an obvious spiritual gift or gifts and for those who are unsure, we are to pray that the Lord would show us.

Not only does it edify the body but it gives us a sense of purpose in life.

[Guest HIS girl]

One thing I will add, may the serving and using of our Gifts NOT be restricted to Church only....it is for the benefit of others outside the Church too (extremely so).....I only mention this because I have seen this happen.

What you say is absolutely true, but the point was that we need to edify the Body of Christ. It is not a selfish thing or neglecting the world--it is necessary. The gifts are mainly for the Body to edify itself. Building up each other in the Lord is what we need in order to be able to win the world to Jesus.

Gotcha

[Rick-Parker]

Dr. Stanley is such an awesome preacher!

[Iryssa]

I've volunteered in a few places...my favourite, and the one where God blessed me the most (and I hope I blessed others...some did tell me it blessed them), was in singing. Church, worship team, youth worship team...I've also volunteered in the nursery and in the toddler room.

Next time you drop a child off at Sunday school, make sure you thank the volunteer in there...it's the kind of job which can be rather draining and doesn't get much appreciation. I often walked away wondering if anyone cared...not that it's all about other people caring, of course, but I don't think we want our Sunday School teachers and nursery monitors burning out either, do we?

[Floatingaxe]

I've volunteered in a few places...my favourite, and the one where God blessed me the most (and I hope I blessed others...some did tell me it blessed them), was in singing. Church, worship team, youth worship team...I've also volunteered in the nursery and in the toddler room.

Next time you drop a child off at Sunday school, make sure you thank the volunteer in there...it's the kind of job which can be rather draining and doesn't get much appreciation. I often walked away wondering if anyone cared...not that it's all about other people caring, of course, but I don't think we want our Sunday School teachers and nursery monitors burning out either, do we?

Amen, Iryssa!

[healingoil]

I've volunteered in a few places...my favourite, and the one where God blessed me the most (and I hope I blessed others...some did tell me it blessed them), was in singing. Church, worship team, youth worship team...I've also volunteered in the nursery and in the toddler room.

Next time you drop a child off at Sunday school, make sure you thank the volunteer in there...it's the kind of job which can be rather draining and doesn't get much appreciation. I often walked away wondering if anyone cared...not that it's all about other people caring, of course, but I don't think we want our Sunday School teachers and nursery monitors burning out either, do we?

Yep, that's great Iryssa, and I love how you point out that God blessed you and so in return you use it and bless others.

I sing, as well - (in fact I am singing How Beautiful by Twila Paris in church tomorrow hehe) - and have also been fortunate enough to be part of a worship team, etc. It is nice to be able to give back AND do something I thoroughly enjoy.

[calluna]

Great reminders on serving here!

I'm heavily involved in children's ministries at my Church. It's really overwhelming sometimes, but rewarding also :-) I write all of the curriculum, teach, plan "family nights," round-up volunteers, and take care of other administrative details... ! Busy, busy, but it's great. I have to stay close to God to pull it all off, and rely on Him for wisdom and whatnot. I love teaching the children about the Lord, and watching the spiritual growth in some of the kids in my class is so encouraging to me. God has done amazing things in this ministry!

In the past, I've been involved in discipleship of women in my neighourhood or youth at Church. The one-on-one time spent in ministering to another is so renewing and helps remind me of how God is so personable with us also.

If you're not currently involved in service at your Church or in your community, I would strongly encourage you to prayerfully seek out opportunities. The blessings will outweigh your efforts!