Gut Check

Friday is for confession. I know that doesn't rhyme or isn't cute. But it's true. In fact, every day (and many times a day) is a good time for confession. I have to share with you one of mine today. This will show you how lame I am.

Something really bothered me this morning. Although I never heard an audible request, I was prompted to serve someone. The problem was it was 2:37 AM. It was cold. I was happy in bed. And I was prompted to serve. Ugh!

I went about serving. But I did so muttering under my breath. Why couldn't...? What's wrong with them...? Why do I have to...? Sadly, I confess to being angry.

And then something or SOMEONE stopped me dead in my tracks. "Here you are wanting to serve. You always pray for opportunities to serve. And when you're given an opportunity you whine, complain, and over react!" Needless to say, I was convicted.

Upon returning to bed, I prayed that God wouldn't allow peace or sleep to come until I was really okay with what had happened. And I was wide awake for a little over an hour. Answered prayer. It was a time to reflect on my what I'd been called to do and how serious I was about my prayer to serve.

I have a long way to go! Praise God for grace.

Friday Fodder - Service

I'm attempting to get FCC (the church I pastor) to be more outward focused. For the most part, the people here are mission-minded. In the six months I've been at the church, I've attempted to "push" a little harder in this area. In other words, many churches I know are concerned about caring for themselves, rather than caring for those outside the church. They're good at fellowship dinners. Many of them have beautiful buildings. They've got $$$ in the bank for a rainy day. They have four-part harmony while singing the old hymns. And "service" or "worship" is 1-2 hours on Sunday.

I may be accused of over generalizing. But is it really? Haven't most who define themselves as "church" really become a social club?

I live in what used to be considered part of the Bible Belt. In other words, this place was saturated with the Church and ministry was going strong. And just the other day, I hear about a bussinesswoman (raised in this area) who admitted to not understanding the reason for Christmas until she was seventeen. So much for saturation. What if a church would have served her in some way?

(At the time of writing), I've just returned from a meeting with a non-profit ministry in town. The ministry is a parachurch organization with a clothing store, education classes, drug recovery groups, and a furniture store. Their mission is to help people meet Jesus and allow Him to restore their lives. I went there for the purpose of partnering with them to reach our community. Even though we disagree on some minutia, we agree on Christ. The ministry has been in town for about 3 years. And the sad thing: Only 3 (of about 30) churches in town have made an effort to determine what they could do to help.

...But whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:44-45 (NRSV)

Lord, teach us to serve!