Church Service is the Service of the Church
By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor
Early one afternoon a minister was giving a tour of their sanctuary to a group of new people. As he walked through the room, showing them various memorable plaques and objects in memory of those who gave funds for their purchase, he stopped at one in-particular: "And here," he commented, "is the plaque listing the names of those who died in the service." "Really?" one of the new members responded. "Which one? The 9:00 or 11:00?"
If by service all we mean is what time on Sunday we show up to Church we're in serious trouble.
The Church's service is not confined to a particular day or time of the week. It is not obstructed by consensus, or determined by proxy. To qualify as service one does not need an organizer, an administrator, an announcement or an article of promotion. Church service does not require scheduling a meeting, nor does it demand an order or format of any kind. Church service is actually the body of Christ living and breathing, at all times, in all places throughout the world. Church service is the bride of Christ in the action of serving. It is the extension of a greeting, a helpful hand at work, a word of encouragement spoken, a dollar donated, or an hour spent in prayer. It is tacos with Grandma, chatting with a friend on the phone, walking a parade route or planting flowers with your kids. Church service is the service of the church.
I encourage you to review your day and look closely for ways you either experienced true church service, or where you might have missed an opportunity. Tomorrow is another day and another chance to do church even better.
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