by Pastor Kenn Curren

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

John 13:12-17

As Easter approaches, we hear the stories of Jesus and how He came to serve others, not be served (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45). Are we living out His example?

Tony Alstott says, “American culture says, ‘Volunteer.’ But Jesus says, ‘Serve.’ Jesus never asked for volunteers. In today’s world, people volunteer because they want to, not because they have to. They say, ‘I’ll volunteer if it’s something I like to do, want to do, and if it fits into my schedule.’ Don’t get me wrong, volunteering is a good thing, but it’s not enough. Jesus called us to be disciples. When we accept Jesus’invitation to follow Him, we no longer volunteer according to our own preferences. Instead, we serve according to Jesus’ preferences. If Jesus wants us to serve in hospitality, hold a baby in the nursery, paint a wall at the food pantry, or give a testimony, we don’t say no. Declining churches are full of members who volunteer according to their own preferences instead of responding to the opportunity to serve where God is calling. Paul says that God has equipped the church with every spiritual gift to accomplish His mission. In your local church, there are opportunities to serve. Volunteers may never fill those opportunities, but servants will. Be a servant. Shock your pastor by asking, ‘I am a servant of Jesus, where am I needed for the sake of the mission to make disciples?’ Then respond to opportunities to serve for God’s glory.

We’ve got a ton of chances to serve around the church and community. What talents and gifts has God given you that you can use to help others? Are you making the most of those gifts? I hope we become more like servants. I hope we’ll do everything we can to accomplish God’s mission for us here in Loudonville and beyond.

Peace, Pastor Kenn