When you hear that small still voice calling you to do more to serve God and your church, where do you begin? Starting with your pastor is a good start. Don’t be embarrassed; you’re not the first person to experience this. Your pastor can direct you to the Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) webpage, www.greatplainsumc.org/layservantministries. Answering God’s call can take so many forms. Everyone is not called to be a lay speaker, but we are all called to serve.
There are people waiting to help you understand what it is you are called to do: your pastor, the district director of Lay Servant Ministries, and all those who are serving as lay servants. God doesn’t call only those who are equipped, but he does equip those He calls (Exodus 3:11 -12a, 4:12 – 16). Pastors, it is essential that you get the word out when classes are offered, even if you don’t know of anyone who might be interested. God may be nudging someone along and they just haven’t contacted you yet.
Just as God had a plan for Moses, He has a plan for each of us. Each of us has a role to play in bringing about the Kingdom. Each of us has unique skills which are a part of His plan.
Ephesians 4:11-16 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
When you hear God whisper your name, the answer is “Here I am, Lord.” Learn what God’s plan is for YOU and equip yourself. If you’re still reading this, I suspect God may be calling you to greater service. Answer the call!
If you would like to talk with those who have answered the call, we will have a booth at annual conference and we can discuss your questions.
Bryan Hankins is Missouri River District director of Lay Servant Ministries.
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