Spiritual Gifts: Service

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering…

Romans 12:7

The word ministry means to serve, to be a servant, to be an attendant. This individual is always ready to do the bidding of the Master. The word ministry takes reference from the teaching: that the Lord is our Master, and therefore, they are always be quick to respond and ensure that the tasks of the ministry are done completely. These people love to serve others in practical ways with the love of Christ. They are the doers of the church: they are the practical people of the assembly. The following are some characteristics of those who have the servant gifting in the local church:

Firstly, these people easily recognizes practical needs and are quick to meet them.

Important needs that would seem insignificant to others catch their eye. They take joy in meeting that need. It is a ministry of helps. Some ways they serve is to providing transport, baking a cake for another person, giving hospitality, repairing and maintaining, aiding with housework: these are among the variety of things that can be done.

Secondly, these people like carrying out a support role.

These people do not enjoy taking the lead, but works with someone else, staying in the background, and helping the other person to be free to do their work. Timothy served Paul so that Paul could carry out his ministry. Paul said in Phil 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Servers make wonderful secretaries, vice-presidents, or committee members, but are very reluctant to take up leadership positions, and are likely to be frustrated with the demands of leadership if they do so. A server will see how other people can be of help, and take them to the leader or involve them in the work in some way.

Thirdly, servers are hospitable.

Servers are the first to offer help to host a visitor. They love to make their visitors feel wanted by taking care of all their physical needs. Martha’s home was often a place where Jesus stayed at because of the hospitality they provided. Philip the deacon, gave hospitality to Paul while he was on his missionary journey.

A caution is that servers usually has a hard time saying `no’ to requests for help.

Servers are certainly the hardest physical workers. They know they are good at a task, they find it hard to turn down requests for help. Servers are very loyal. They put extra touches onto a job. A danger is that the server can end up having so many jobs, that they become workaholics, and neglect their home and personal responsibilities. Servers can be so busy, that they work beyond their physical limits and may suffer burnout.

Servers need approval and encouragement.

Appreciation confirms to the server that their work is necessary, and it is being blessed by the Lord. Paul gave Timothy more praise than any other assistant.

Some may add: I do not serve, or do the menial tasks because I do not have the gift of service and ministry. The Lord Jesus wants all of us to be servants and it is His will that we learn to serve. Gal 5:13 … by love serve one another. Serving others is not an option, but an instruction of the Chief Servant, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brethren, let us thank the Lord for servers in our church, and let us encourage them in their work for the Lord and for us. And let us be servants as the Lord Jesus is our example of Servanthood.