Serving God Outside the Church?

DropKick74 · 05-12-2010, 09:45 PM

So Basically I've been really trying to discern how the lord wants me to serve him in my everyday life. I understand that I am not called to minister inside the church (pastor, deacon, etc.) or at least not yet. I don't feel called to be a missionary to a far off country, and i don't feel called to start some new organization or project to witness my community on a large scale. I guess i'm just trying to ask one simply question.

I understand that God doesn't see quantity as quality but I'm Just not sure how one can serve God in your everyday life.

I'm going to college in computer science to get a 9 to 5 job. I want a house and to take care of my wife and eventually my children. So while i describe my soon to be mundane and basic life. How do you serve God in that everyday life. I'm just not sure. is it even possible or do we all have to quit our jobs and become missionaries. Though i don't think that is quite true because Adam was called to work the land. So if you understand my question please offer up some help. I pray to God to let me see how i am to serve in my daily life and i know he will provide the answers i'm just curios how you guys do it. How to serve god in the nine to five life with kids a wife and a mortgage.

**dogfood** · 05-13-2010, 01:21 AM

just be yourself.
do the basics
worshsip God, pray and ask God for moments when you can share about Him.

Giga Hertz · 05-13-2010, 02:20 AM

Show the love of Christ to your co-workers, and be righteous in doing hard, honest work.

I work at a computer shop, and between my brothers (who also work there) and I, we get hard work done and build a good reputation. You could argue that that could be done by anyone, but the fact that you're using the talents God gave you it makes the job worth while.

1/2-Fast Player · 05-13-2010, 07:28 AM

The above posts are excellent points. Another thing you might consider is that there are times when we seem to be doing the ordinary hum-drum, but we're actually acquiring skills and knowledge that God may put to a more direct use later in our lives.

Consider the time after the Exodus when Israel was wandering in the wilderness. During that time the tabernacle was constructed, and master craftsmen fashioned all the beautiful fixtures and appointments, such as the ark of the covenant. Where did those craftsmen learn those skills? Most likely while they were Egyptian slaves, and didn't see how they could be serving God in that condition.

There will be times when you see fruits of your labors, and times when you won't. Stay faithful to God and trust him to guide you where He wants you. It's been my experience (YMMV, of course), that when I'm truly seeking to do His will, He won't let me do anything else. He'll close the doors I'm not supposed to enter, and open the ones that I am.

jthomas1600 · 05-13-2010, 09:27 AM

I know you say you are not ready for full time ministry and you're looking for something in your daily life but you still might want to consider participating in some type of organized ministry through your church. This will permeate your life and become a part of who you are. A lot of churches have ministry's at nursing homes, homeless shelters, jails etc. If your church has a ministry, say where a man holds service at a homeless shelter twice a month or something, you could ask to go along and lead the singing portion. As something like that becomes a part of who you are it opens opportunities to witness in your daily life. People will find out -- they will ask questions.

**Rainer.** · 05-13-2010, 10:07 AM

Most of the best stories we can read about Jesus are about when he found people one-on-one, and shard with them. Consider Nicodemus, or the Samaritan woman at the well. Most of the other time, he was with those 12 men closest to him, investing his life into caring for theirs.

Keep it personal, build those relationships. Pray that you can become more like the example Christ set.

DropKick74 · 05-13-2010, 10:45 AM

Thanks guys, I really needed this. I just wanted to make sure you can serve god effectively in his will in everyday life. I appreciate your posts. I'm still interested in hearing how more people serve god outside your church.

OiBoyz · 05-13-2010, 10:59 AM

If you can't serve Him effectively in "normal" life, then what do you have to share with "normal" people out on the mission field?

I don't know how old you are, but I know there are some folks on this forum who are as old as I am, and will remember this. When Keith Green died, his wife Melody did the Memorial Concert all around the country. She wanted to take Keith's final message out. He was pushing for overseas missions. He was saying "don't wait to be called, you are called. If you're still at home, you're not listening."

I loved Keith, but I think he was wrong. At least partly. You are called. We all are. But not everyone has to leave to a foreign land to serve Him. In fact if you follow the NT example, those who did leave their homes were the minority. They went and planted churches, where the "normal" people were. To stay at your home and in your city and live among your friends and family as a faithful witness is an viable service option for a Christian. In fact, in some ways it can be the hardest. "A prophet is not without honor except in his home town."

Notice what Jesus said: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Where were they at the time? Jerusalem. Not everyone was required to go to the "end of the earth."

Oh, another thought.... your topic title? Doesn't make any sense. YOU are the church. Or at least a part of it. The Church isn't the building you go to, it's the people inside it.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 05-13-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropKick74

So Basically I've been really trying to discern how the lord wants me to serve him in my everyday life. I understand that I am not called to minister inside the church (pastor, deacon, etc.) or at least not yet. I don't feel called to be a missionary to a far off country, and i don't feel called to start some new organization or project to witness my community on a large scale. I guess i'm just trying to ask one simply question.

I understand that God doesn't see quantity as quality but I'm Just not sure how one can serve God in your everyday life.

I'm going to college in computer science to get a 9 to 5 job. I want a house and to take care of my wife and eventually my children. So while i describe my soon to be mundane and basic life. How do you serve God in that everyday life. I'm just not sure. is it even possible or do we all have to quit our jobs and become missionaries. Though i don't think that is quite true because Adam was called to work the land. So if you understand my question please offer up some help. I pray to God to let me see how i am to serve in my daily life and i know he will provide the answers i'm just curios how you guys do it. How to serve god in the nine to five life with kids a wife and a mortgage.

I am sorry you feel this way to be honest. I am because in a very real way someone has had you buy into the idea that real Christians, serving God are vocational. That you have to go to Borneo, or pastor a megachurch or something.

The early Christians were by and large working folk, often slaves. The idea of vocational ministry is by far a minority calling. And I think it is far too elevated and misunderstood. I say this as someone to graduate seminary in two weeks.

Even Paul worked a job as a tentmaker and personally, I hold Paul in respect as somebody who served God. The idea of serving God as separate from working a normal job is in my opinion a bit of abdication by the greater majority of believers, and a dependence on professional clergy who get a sense of ownership of leaving ministry to the professionals.

The most rewarding work I have had in a long while is in the church, but voluntary, and not a paid position. I help lead a youth group. To be honest, while there is a youth group those who help come from all walks of life. However, I have found that it isn't easy to serve in the 9 to 5 grind.

Some possible tips:
1) Find something you love that helps build the greater body of Christ.
2) Reserve some time out of your busy life for ministry.
3) Seek to live out the faith always. Live a life characterized by your calling as a Christian.
4) Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.
5) Always remember this:
Ecclesiastes 12
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

DropKick74 · 05-13-2010, 11:45 AM

Please don't think that I am thinking i HAVE to leave home to serve God and i HAVE to be a pastor. I know these things. what i was looking for from you guys were examples of servitude in day to day life. I know you don't have to be a pastor and that's why i posted this. I just needed some help. I've reread my post and i realize i was very scatterbrained when i wrote it because this has been bugging me for a very long time. I want to serve God on a day to day basis but i'm not sure how. I was hoping you guys could offer up some scripture of day to day examples or some examples from your own lives. How do you serve god in school or in work. the thing of it to is that for a very long time i thought the only people who could serve god were those who worked in a church. I now realize that is wrong and that is what has lead me to the questions i have already asked.

I am also very aware that we as believers are the church. but come on, you know what i mean. if you want i can rename the title "serving god outside the big white building with a steeple commonly referred to as the church" but i figured i would save my fingers the typing. LOL

OiBoyz · 05-13-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropKick74

Please don't think that I am thinking i HAVE to leave home to serve God and i HAVE to be a pastor.

I know you didn't mean that. And I hope this is a question we all have in our lives. How do I serve God today?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

The most rewarding work I have had in a long while is in the church, but voluntary, and not a paid position. I help lead a youth group. To be honest, while there is a youth group those who help come from all walks of life. However, I have found that it isn't easy to serve in the 9 to 5 grind..

My current ministry is as a volunteer at a minimum security men's prison. I buy all my own supplies, and I've spent a fair amount of "my own" money doing it. But really, God provides and it's never been a problem. But it's probably some of the most rewarding ministry I've done.

I have also worked in "full time ministry" where I was paid to be there. It was rewarding. It was hard.

For the most part my jobs have all been in areas where it was easy to see the service you were doing. Currently, I am working in a hospital. My job is as support staff to the nurses. If I do my job well, people are helped. If I do my job poorly, people can be hurt. It's pretty easy to see that I'm making a difference.

The toughest time I had, and I struggled like you are now, is when I had a job that I couldn't see the service I was doing. I was a grocery store clerk. I struggled to find the ministry there. And it was probably more frustrating than any other time in my life. I felt mired and stagnated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropKick74

I am also very aware that we as believers are the church. but come on, you know what i mean. if you want i can rename the title "serving god outside the big white building with a steeple commonly referred to as the church" but i figured i would save my fingers the typing. LOL

I wasn't playing a semantic game. I mentioned it because I think it's part of the answer to your question. I remember as a young believer, having prayed about going into full time ministry. It didn't happen and didn't happen, and one day the light went on. I had always been in full time ministry. We all are. All the time. If you belong to Him, it comes with the package.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 05-13-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropKick74

Please don't think that I am thinking i HAVE to leave home to serve God and i HAVE to be a pastor. I know these things. what i was looking for from you guys were examples of servitude in day to day life. I know you don't have to be a pastor and that's why i posted this. I just needed some help. I've reread my post and i realize i was very scatterbrained when i wrote it because this has been bugging me for a very long time. I want to serve God on a day to day basis but i'm not sure how. I was hoping you guys could offer up some scripture of day to day examples or some examples from your own lives. How do you serve god in school or in work. the thing of it to is that for a very long time i thought the only people who could serve god were those who worked in a church. I now realize that is wrong and that is what has lead me to the questions i have already asked.

Sorry, I can only see the text you right. It would be nice to be able to read hearts through text on a message board.

However, do what you are called to do, by Christ. Deny yourself, pick up your cross daily and follow him. I can't tell you exactly how that will look, obviously, but as someone who has worked in computer repair, believe me, the opportunities are more numerous than you think to show the love of Christ.

Quote:

I am also very aware that we as believers are the church. but come on, you know what i mean. if you want i can rename the title "serving god outside the big white building with a steeple commonly referred to as the church" but i figured i would save my fingers the typing. LOL

I wasn't being fascetious.

Nor am I sure why it has to be outside the building with the steeple. I work with inner city youth at a youth group. I serve "inside the white building", but in a capacity that anyone with excessive determination, thick skin, and generally rough around the edges could. I think at the church you might find some fantastic opportunities to branch out in ministry.

Where are your particular passions?

Thats a big question in getting anywhere. My suggestion would be to look around for something that utilizes what you are good at or enjoy, or both.

I think the biggest ways we can are not going to be very big seeming. I offered a couple scriptures. One explicit, one implied. (Micah 6:8)
What will go the farthest, in all honesty is being genuine, not being faith in your Christianity. I know, not too profound, yet profoundly difficult.

But for me the biggest thing was finding a ministry I enjoy, and then carving a niche of time for it. And it is at a church currently. I didn't seek that or oppose that.

1/2-Fast Player · 05-13-2010, 01:33 PM

OiBoyz:
> I had always been in full time ministry. We all are. All the time. If you belong to Him,
> it comes with the package.

+1

That whacks the nail squarely on the head.

For years, the weekly bulletin at my church had a space headed "Ministers." Instead of listing the paid staff under that heading, it said "The Membership." That's the idea.

OiBoyz · 05-13-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

But for me the biggest thing was finding a ministry I enjoy, and then carving a niche of time for it. And it is at a church currently. I didn't seek that or oppose that.

When the prison opened here, they had a volunteer training. I went for the training without any idea what I would do or what needs there were. But I knew I wanted to go in the prison to work with the inmates. I had an idea I might find someone there who had a ministry ready to go and just needed extra hands. What ended up happening was that the inmates had asked the chaplain for a Christian Movie night. The Chaplain asked me if I would take it on. I said yes without any idea where I was going to get movies to show. He had about ten to start me out with and I agreed to start the next week. I was the very first volunteer in our facility. It was kind of scary to start with. ''

Within a year, the Lord led me to start a Bible Study. I had thought I would be doing a lot of evangelism, but for the most part that hasn't been the case. I've been doing more discipleship with guys who either were Christians but not closely following the Lord when they fell, or have come to faith while they're in the system. A side benefit to the Bible Study evening is that I asked my Pastor to go with me when he had time. He doesn't make it every week, but goes as often as he can. It's turned out to be a real blessing for him as he gets to be in the Congregation and not be the leader. He's going through cancer treatment now, and the guys have been a prayer backup for him.

What I find interesting, is the ministry that I really didn't think was "spiritual enough" my Thursday Movie Night, is the one group in the facility that is somewhat evangelistic. It's very low key, which makes it a perfect venue for the guys to invite their unsaved friends, and gives them a springboard to talk to the guy. I hadn't expected that God would use it that way, but He has.

At the time I started out there, I was working days. But my boss needed me to work evenings. I told her I would as long as I had my Thursday and Friday nights free. At times I've had to fight to keep that time, but I've made it clear to my employer that this is an important time for me, and it could be a deal breaker if they insisted I work that time slot for anything short of a Disaster Response. They have been very good about respecting that, though a time or two I've had to work right up til time to leave for the Prison, and come back after to finish the shift.

DropKick74 · 05-13-2010, 08:40 PM

Its so hard to misread emotion on the forums. lol anyway when i said the whole " i can rename the title "serving god outside the big white building with a steeple commonly referred to as the church" but i figured i would save my fingers the typing. LOL"

I was just playing.

by the way how do you guys keep quoting each other
that's a question for another day.

I think what oiboyz said about the grocery clerk thing is what i'm really struggling with but as you guys say i need to just remain faithful to God and it will come.

The reason i was speaking about servitude outside the church was mainly because i want to serve in a way that will bring people to the church and into the body of christ. I already lead worship every sunday for my college age group and i contribute as much as i can to anything else in church.

I really want to thank you guys for the advice and i appreciate it all. Since reading all of your posts I am really confident that God will show me how he wants me to serve

by the way someone asked about my passions and basically I am very passionate over my guitar and music

I'm also passionate about worship and fellowship and seeing people grow closer to God on a personal level.