SERVICE

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth” ~ Muhammed Ali

A. Share your definition of Service.

Service is the selfless giving of one’s time, talent or treasure to aid someone in need. It is the ultimate act of humanity.

A1. Share your definition of Ministry.

Ministry is taken from the Greek word “diakonos” in which we get the terms “deacon” and “minister” and it literally means “to serve.” Ministry is not solely a one-time event but rather is rooted in a perpetual mindset of showing charity, care, and compassion to the least of these.   

B. What could be one or more differences between what is offered as a service and as a ministry?

In most of our experiences, we probably have come to accept “service” and “ministry” as synonymous terms. However, there is a very subtle yet distinct nuance that separates the two. Service can be viewed as a one-time humanitarian offering to address an isolated event. An example would be a person helping someone struggling to carry their groceries up three flights of stairs. Whereas ministry is viewed in a spiritual context and is more long term in nature with the expressed propose of addressing a valid need. Conducting an ongoing prison bible study would be a good example.   

C. What are some ways that your service can become a ministry?

Using the example given about helping someone with carrying their groceries up three flights of stairs, one could make a commitment that at least three days a week they would assist those in need living in their apartment complex with various tasks. In doing so, they could share the Gospel and be an example of what it looks like to be an A.G.E.N.T. of God.

D. List your Spiritual Gifts.

• Teaching/Preaching
• Helps
• Administration
• Leadership
• Words of Wisdom
• Exhortation

E. List three of your top skill sets that you have sharpened over time.

Team-building

Public Speaking

Leadership Development

F. What are some of the ministries in the church that match up with your spiritual gifts?

BBC Ministerial Council

Worship and Fine Arts

Youth Ministry

F1. What ministries match up with your skill-set? 

        Stewardship Ministry

Christian Education Ministry

        Support Ministry

        Evangelism Ministry

        Missions Ministry

G. In the twenty days of our Day of Service observance of the birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. identifies a ministry in the church AND in the community that you can serve alongside during the 2020 Lenten Season (Feb. 26 – April 10th).

Stewardship Ministry

Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (V.O.I.C.E.)