What are ways I could serve / be serving in the church?

Answer

According to the Bible, every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift to use in service to the body of Christ. “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 speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11;compare Ephesians 4:11-16). So, an important step in determining how to best serve in the church is for us to discover what our spiritual gifts are. Of course, we don’t have to know what our gift is before we start getting involved in the church. In fact, we often discover our gifts in the process of serving. The spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12:6–8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 28.

There is a difference between the Body of Christ universal (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) and the local church Christians attend for corporate worship «not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. », (Hebrews 10:25). But there is no difference in how Christians ought to use their spiritual gifts, because serving God is a twenty-four-hour proposition, not a Sunday-only enterprise. All Christians everywhere should be serving God in their local churches and looking for opportunities to serve outside the walls of a church building Learn More.

2 Corinthians 9:12-13. It may be challenging to discern the spiritual gift(s) that God has bestowed, but it is preferable to serve somewhere than nowhere “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”, Romans 12:11. Often, the discovery of gifts becomes clearer through action—as we engage in various tasks, we discover our strengths and passions “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.”, 1 Chronicles 28:9.

There are always more needs than willing workers; this was true in Christ’s day and remains true today “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few;'”, Matthew 9:37. Finding a need in the local church is never a challenge. From evangelizing the community, a task all Christians are called to do (Acts 1:8), to cleaning the bathrooms, there is always plenty of work to be done. It is beneficial to consult with the church leadership regarding the church’s needs. Engage in a discussion with the pastor and elders about available positions and how they may align with your skills.

Here are a few examples of service positions in local congregations:

• Sunday School and Bible study teachers (after vetting)

• Children and youth leaders

• Administrators

• Secretaries

• Janitors and maintenance workers for building and grounds upkeep

• Transportation workers for children or individuals who cannot drive

• Outreach workers

• Us

• Ushers and greeters

• Choir members and soloists

• Musicians

• Music directors, song leaders, etc.

• Audio and video technicians

• Website administrators and social media coordinators

• Treasurers and accountants

• Kitchen workers

• Nursery workers

Every member of every church should be serving in some way, and every servant of the Lord should remember that it’s more than just serving others; it’s loving them: “Serve one another humbly in love” «For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. », (Galatians 5:13). Serving the church can take on many forms: babysitting for a young couple to give them a night out, preparing a meal for a family struck by illness, visiting an elderly, housebound widow, or just picking up a phone and saying, “I was thinking about you today.” Christians may busy themselves in tasks of service like the ones listed above, but endless performing, without love, is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). As we go about serving God and others, let us do so with a spirit of humility and brotherly love (Philippians 2:1-4).