Training For Service (1)

It’s A Privilege

W

hat a privilege it is to serve in the kingdom of God. History reveals that there were those who felt a great honor to be on the staff of a king and to serve in his kingdoms. Today, there are those who hold positions in the White House and carry out assignments for the president. These also like to tell their friends and others that they serve the president.

However, may I remind you that this kind of service is nothing compared to the honor of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15) in His kingdom. This should be to all of us the greatest honor upon this earth!

A Great Job

Many of the men in the church can be complimented for the great job they are doing in leading the singing, leading in public prayers, and serving at the Lord’s table. Please understand that this “Training For Service” is being published to help all of us do even a better job. In the Lord’s church, we must NEVER stop learning and improving. Christianity is a growth process, and if we are not growing, we are in spiritual trouble.

The apostle Peter closed his second epistle with the words, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Thus, spiritual growth in leadership among our men is truly appreciated!

In This Series

Therefore, in this series of lessons, we will be looking at the various areas of service involving prayer and other activities, and how all of us can train ourselves to grow.

Even though our women should not be involved in the public roll of leadership, it is my prayer that you too will want to study these lessons. For we will not only study the leadership of men, but also the follow ship and participation of both men and women in worship.

As members of the body of Christ, we are all one in Christ! Paul described this concept to the Roman Christians in this way: “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:4, 5). Thus, with our different functions, we can present to the Lord a united, working body.

A Service With Order

Let us begin by looking at the principle of carrying out the worship services with order. It is at this point that our men in general can be complemented. The worship services are well planned and orderly as each person carries out his assignments.

For example, in our congregation, it is wonderful to see our men sitting on the front row ready to serve at the Lord’s Table. It is great to see our song leaders well prepared, in their place, and ready to lead. One by one our men lead their assigned prayers, make announcements, and read Scriptures. This kind of order shows our heavenly Father, His Son, and all present, that we care!

Plan As You Go!

Some churches have not always carried out an orderly worship service. For example, I can recall while growing up that worship services were conducted by the policy, “Just plan as we go!” The song leader would select the man leading the prayer as he looked over the men in the audience. Sometimes when he called upon a brother, he would pass it on to another. Did these brethren care? Did they love the church? Yes, but they had not been taught the importance of planning and carrying out an orderly worship service.

Give Your Best

There is a rule found in the words of a song that all of us should follow: “Give your best to the Master!” Since we must seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33), shouldn’t our service in the kingdom be better than anything else that we do in life? Surely it should be!

Appreciation

At this point, we need to express appreciation to the men in this congregation who give assignments to make this order in worship possible. It is so sad when they are refused while seeking men to serve. Yes, there are times when we must refuse due to illness. However, saying no should be done only when there is an emergency! When they invite us to lead a prayer, read a Scripture, or serve at the Lord’s table, we need to accept graciously and thank them for giving us the honor to serve.

Worshipers

Please keep in mind also that this order that pleases God does not begin and end with the men who are leading. But it also involves the worshipers in the pews. We must likewise give our best to the Master by being as quite and reverent as possible. How can one talk, write notes, play with the babies (as sweet as they are) and still worship in “spirit and in truth?” John 4:24). Remember, we have many hours during a week to enjoy all these other things, but during worship, we must give our all to the Lord!

Next Lesson

In our next lesson, we will be studying how we can all serve more effectively in this congregation. It is hoped that you will want to read the next issue. The leadership of this congregation is very important and appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read this issue.