THE SUPERPOWER OF SERVING
In World War II, most young men and women enlisted to serve at the risk of their lives and to demonstrate a genuine love for country. It was no different in Hawaii and on the West Coast for Asian Americans despite feeling ostracized. Considered by some as expendable, they were often given the most dangerous missions. One of my uncles helped rescue the famed "Lost Batallion" of trapped Texans in the Voges forest of France in 1944. It was considered one of the war's most courageous campaigns. Mostly all 215 +Texans made it out intact. In contrast, only 200 of the 1,000 mostly Asian American rescuers returned alive. My uncle was one of them. He lived till 94, spending his final years in a special home with the soldiers he served with. They formed a special bond forged only by serving together for a greater cause. No wonder historians have called that era "The greatest generation." I cannot help but think of what Jesus said in Matthew 20:26 "...whoever would be great among you must be your servant."
In this post covid world, we hear this frequent cry from churches, non profits, institutions and businesses alike: “We don't have enough workers, servers, helpers and volunteers.” To be sure, it is a very real challenge. As it concerns the church, I believe everything we need, and everyone we need is already in God's house. They just need to be surfaced, identified, trained, deployed and cared for.
The desire to contribute is in the heart of most. God made us with an inner yearning to make a difference. It is in our DNA for we are all made in God's image. Jesus himself said he came not to be served, but to serve. Start with that mindset and perspective. This is important because we project what we believe. Impartation happens, values are caught and culture is formed.
Here are some thoughts from my experience as a church planter, pastor, volunteer, and leader over many years. Others I've talked to have echoed the same refrain:
TEACH ON SERVING AND GREATNESS: Expound regularly on the value of serving. Make clear the WHY. A compelling cause helps surface a call to respond to. People need to hear it often before it takes root. Too often we jump straight into the "what" based on the obligation of "you should." In Matthew 20:26, Jesus said the greatest is the one who serves. When we serve we harness and express greatness. Teach that truth from multiple angles. In Matthew 5:19, Jesus said that those who do and teach truth become the greatest in the kingdom. Truth sets us free from the mindset of the world that says, "what's in it for me?"
PRAY FOR PEOPLE TO ARISE: This is not a perfunctory exercise. When the Spirit of God moves, people start moving. Don't skip this step because it seems too spiritual of an exercise. In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus said that "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." I believe this applies to more than evangelism but to all that surrounds the journey of harvesting. Reaping the crops is just one facet of the endeavor. Families were large by intention because the agricultural economy required many hands to sow, cultivate, cut, bin, transport, sort, and refine what was reaped. And that's not counting the clean up process. Sometimes as the Apostle John said, "we have not because we ask not."
ASK AGAIN AND ASK REPEATEDLY: Don’t be afraid to revisit those who previously said "no." Many refuse at the first or second ask. Sometimes, current circumstances, events or challenges prevent participation at a singular moment. But as seasons and situations change, people become available. Remember, it is a blessing and privilege to serve, not a drudgery. We will get what we project. When we ask, we convey value. I only began serving as a brand new believer because someone asked me to. I felt needed and wanted. I don't think I would have just volunteered on my own. I have found that most people are similar. Remember: to ask is to convey value. Encourage every server to be an avid asker. Let that permeate the culture.
INVITE FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO SERVE WITH YOU: Embrace trusted relationships, your first circle of invitation. Think relationships first, systems next. Why? Any system works best when people invite other people to enroll in them. People drive systems. Remember, though your first ask may not pan out, you are planting seeds that may bear fruit in a later season. If you're not planting, you won't be harvesting. In WW II many young men and women signed up to serve because their friends were urging them to. There was a momentous swell of "we're doing this together for the greater good." People did not want to be left out and yes, positive peer pressure played a role. Today, churches who have built community around serve teams are known to thrive. Working together becomes fun when fellowship is part of the matrix.
CRAFT A SIMPLE EASY-TO-FOLLOW SYSTEM: Because people sometimes belong before they believe, provide safe and appropriate opportunities where interested pre belongers can serve. I have found participation can lead to salvation because of relational connection. We have found serving the community through food bank distributions, blood bank collections and back to school drives to be effective examples in this regard. Gospel relationships are built. Emphasize simplicity and reduce complexity. An effective system should make serving as quick a first or next step as possible. Remove the barriers.
MODEL SERVING: Over the years, I have been a parking attendant, usher, greeter, janitor, ball coach drummer, youth worker and small group leader even while serving as a full-time pastor. Those were lengthy stints and not occasional one offs. I am not sharing that to brag about humble servitude but to say that the Lord shaped something special in my soul during those seasons. People follow what’s been done not just what’s been said. That's my story. Do tell your own, and feature the stories of others through live testimony and digital conduits. Teaching informs the mind, but stories move the heart. While I still lead small groups I would gladly re-engage those other duties today as needs arise.
CARE FOR THE SERVERS: Recognize, affirm, appreciate and celebrate them all. We never forget the time tested expression of “Thank you” when expressed from the heart. While events and gifts have a valuable place, a genuine, personally tailored expression of gratitude shared in close proximity to services rendered tends to have profound impact. Be genuine and be consistent.
When I led our team of 30 to plant Pearlside Church in 1994, it took two years to field a full band. Someone donated a drum set but we had no drummer, except me. For a year I played then preached. I quickly realized that was neither healthy, practical nor sustainable. So I stopped playing and left the drummer's throne empty. Over the next two years we surfaced eight drummers because I left a seat vacant, and made the ask. We have never looked back.
We have all heard of the adage, "Where God guides he provides." As trite as that may sound, I have found it to be true. It starts with seeing the need and first asking God to provide. Be specific about it and look for signs of God at work. You may have to ask people to serve for those signs to surface, but remember, "we have not because we ask not."
