Attitude

Food for thought:
   I noticed a cartoon the other day portraying a Christian singer "ministering" at a piano.  His words were rather indicative of our time:
   "I'd like to share a song that the Lord gave me a year ago, and even though he gave it to me, any reproduction of this song in any form without my written consent will constitute infringement of copyright law, which grants me the right to sue your pants off. Praise God...."

 If God wrote a want ad perhaps it would read like this:
   Kingdom workers need immediately.  Urgency of task and shortage of workers makes it mandatory that we expand our labor pool immediately. Recent resignations have left many openings.
   Frequent absenteeism will force us to make unwanted cutbacks in services unless we expand work force immediately.  Ability not as essential as availability plus excellent training is available.  Manual has been tried and proven over the past two thousands years.
   We hire regardless of sex, race or age.  Diverse backgrounds welcome and even helpful.  In the past we have used peasants and poets, kings and fig pickers, fishermen and doctors, harlots and queens, young lads and wise old men.
   Main qualifications:  firm faith in Christ, a soft heart and a thick skin.
   Work not suitable for everyone.  Must be able to withstand criticism of fellow workers and shirkers who often insist on their rights while ignoring their responsibilities.

Self evaluation - How do you feel about participating in a ministry (Christian service)?

1.     Exciting to serve others knowing that it is my opportunity to serve Christ and express the love that I have for Him.

2.     I desire to fulfill my life purpose.

3.     I want to be a part of the church reaching others and building up the family.

4.     I feel that everyone should help out sometimes.

5.     If I can find one that’s fun I wouldn’t mind.

6.     I don’t want to do it.

Read the following verses and consider what mindset about serving you would like to develop as a disciple of Christ.

Mark 10:45 (Jesus)  "For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 25:40 (Jesus)  "And I, the King, will tell them, 'When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!'"

What is your goal concerning the mindset you have towards serving in a ministry? 

On what truth(s) do you need to focus?

How will you keep track of how you are doing? 

What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?

Motivation

Food for thought:
   Recently I came across this question, "Would you do for GOLD what you would do for GOD?"  What does this mean?  The answer is clear.  If you're not attending prayer services now, would you do so if you were paid for it?  Would you witness for Christ more zealously if you were given some monetary compensation for your efforts?  Would your contributions to the work of Christ be more generous if such "investments" brought guaranteed financial return?  If these questions disturb you because they call for a reluctant "yes," it is apparent that you're more willing to do something for gold than for GOD!
   Because of our sincere desire to please Him first and foremost, may it always be said of us that we are truly "serving the LORD"!

  I asked, "Why doesn't somebody do something?"  Then I realized I am somebody.
        -- author unknown

Self evaluation - Why do I participate in a ministry?

1.     I am overwhelmed by how much God loves me and I want to express the love that I have in return to Him. It brings joy in return when I give of myself in Christian ministry, especially when I accomplish an objective that I prayerfully felt called by God to pursue.

2.     I desire for others to be served so their lives can be stronger and so they can have additional and better opportunities to know Christ.

3.     I would like the church to grow and become stronger.

4.     I want to please God.

5.     I am obligated as a Christian to serve.

6.     Someone asked me and I felt uncomfortable saying “no”.

Read the following verses and consider what motivations for proclaiming the truth about Jesus you would like to form as a disciple of Christ.

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

What is your goal concerning the motives you have for participating in a ministry? 

On what truth(s) do you need to focus?

How will you keep track of how you are doing? 

What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?

Practice

Food for thought:
   John Henry Jowett told about a small village where an elderly woman died.  She died penniless, uneducated, unsophisticated, but during her lifetime her selfless service had made a tremendous impact for Christ. On her tombstone they chiseled the words, "She did what she couldn't."
   That can be the epitaph for every Christian who will allow Christ to live through us:  HE can do through us what we can never do ourselves.

    Back in 1957 the First Brethren Church of Sarasota, Florida had a ground breaking service.  Instead of the usual shovels for special people to use in digging, they brought an old one horse plow. Recalling the words of Jesus, "Take my yoke upon you," they borrowed an old yoke and two stalwart laymen were hitched up.  But the two were unable to pull the plow.  Then the entire Building Committee of the congregation were put on the rope, but even then the plow did not move.  Other church officers were added, and the Sunday school officers and teachers, but still the plow did not move.  Finally every member of the congregation who was present each took a hold  of the rope.  With every member pulling together, the plow moved, the ground was broken.
   Too many Christians expect the preacher or a few officials to do the work and pull the entire load to keep the church going.  If we want to see progress we must all work together.

Self evaluation - How do I participate in ministry?

1.     I accept responsibility for an area of ministry including the development of a team of coworkers. I am unified with other church leaders and work cooperatively to accomplish the mission of the church.

2.     I make a commitment to an ongoing ministry and develop skills to do it effectively.

3.     I will serve in a ministry even if I have to leave my comfort zone to try something that’s new or otherwise challenging to me.

4.     I accept a challenge to help in ministry even if it means I must adapt my schedule and learn something new.

5.     I help out if asked as long as I feel comfortable with the responsibility.

6.     I don’t participate.

Read the following verses and consider what goals you would like to establish regarding your participation in ministry.

Romans 12:1-2  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

What is your goal concerning your participating in ministry? 

What skills do you need to develop? How will you measure your effectiveness?

How will you keep track of how you are doing? 

What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?

Consistency

Food for thought:
There are three types of Christians who respond to the call of service:
    1. Rowboat Christians -- have to be pushed.
    2. Sailboat Christians -- always go with wind.
   3. Steamboat Christians -- make up their minds where they are going and go there regardless of wind and weather.

 There are a lot of Christians who are doing nothing.  But there are no Christians who have nothing to do.
    -- Anonymous

    "I did," said the wind! 
    "I did," said the paper! 
    "I did," said the string!
    "I did," said the boy!  But in reality they ALL flew the kite!  If the wind had lulled, if the paper had torn, if the sticks had broken, if the tail had caught in the tree, or the boy had fallen, then the kite would have come down!  EACH HAD A PART TO PLAY!
   God has placed you in a strategic role!  You are important to your church ministry.  Just use your gift to the Glory of God and leave the results to Him.

Self evaluation - How often do you serve in an intentional ministry?

1.     I am responsible for a crucial area of ministry.  Every single week I am involved working with others in the carrying out of our team ministry.

2.     I am involved on a weekly basis in at least one ministry of the church.

3.     I am a committed member of a rotation in at least one ministry.

4.     I am a part of a ministry that lets me help out when I want to, but if I want to skip I can.

5.     I will help out on an individual case by case basis, but not something ongoing.

6.     I don’t participate in a ministry.

Read the following verses and consider how frequently you should participate in a ministry. 

Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.

What is your goal concerning how consistently you participate in a ministry? 

When and where and will you do this?

How will you keep track of how you are doing? 

What obstacles will you need to overcome and how will you face them?