A writer shared the following in a past article in Homiletics.....
We just got back from Jose O’Shea’s in west Denver. It’s a cool little eatery — been around for years. I noticed again tonight what I’ve noticed on other occasions. The wait staff these days really wants to let me know that they’re there to serve. Radical idea, huh? This is what we heard at O’Shea’s: “Hi, my name is Lisa, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight.” Lisa is going to take care of me. That’s fabulous! A couple of nights ago at P.F. Chang’s, Justin said that he’d be my “server” tonight! How cool is that? What would happen if a stranger walked into church and someone came right up to him or her, and said, “Hi, my name is Allison, and I’ll be taking care of you today”? Wow! Couldn’t we just say that to each other once in a while? Hey — I’m here to serve you. I’ll be your server today. I’m gonna take care of you today. It made me think of a more recent conversation I had with Evangelist Keith and his latest blog, Cast Your Vote. What direction will our ministries go? Are we here to serve or be served? I know the answer to that but it seems the church and some leaders have forgotten what Jesus taught his disciples. 14:8 When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Author C. Gene Wilkes in his book, Jesus on Leadership, calls it having a head table mentality. Many leaders today will take a position at the head table and wait to be served. Is that keeping it real?I was sharing with Evangelist Keith about an experience I had the other day while washing my car in the church parking lot. A lady that lives in the community and attends another church came by and stated, "Pastor, you shouldn't be washing your car. The deacons should be doing it." My words to her was that I am physically capable of doing this myself and should. Pastors and church workers. Are we serving or being served? In my mind it is us that should be saying I'll be your server today? |
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