You were not meant to just go to church on a Sunday; you were meant to be the church, to serve the church and to be involved in the church. Yet, with busy schedules consisting of full-time jobs, appointments, running errands and more, how exactly do we become involved and not just church-goers?

Don’t Hesitate

Perhaps you’re still finding your way and where you feel called to serve, and that’s fine. But don’t let it take years of your life to figure out. Serving in any ministry is vital, no matter what you’re doing. And it’s not about feeling good or better about yourself; it’s just about desiring to serve God and His people.

So, wherever you feel called (or gently nudged) to join, just do it, even if it’s just one evening a week. Join the women’s ministry. Get on the prayer team.  Participate the church choir. Volunteer at a food pantry servicing the community. Attend a few different church group meetings to find one that feels like a good fit.

Once you take the leap and join, God will restore measures of confidence in your faith and He will make you even stronger to serve.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  —1 Peter 4:10

Serve With Gladness

Some people see church service more as a ritual or obligation, something they have to do lest they be known as not following church protocol. It becomes just another thing on the to-do list each week. Others do it out of pride so they can feel superior to those who don’t serve as much as they do.

We have to abandon this mindset, because not only is it a sorrowing way to enter into ministry, it’s nothing we need to prove or slap on Facebook to let others know we’re serving. God knows, and that’s the beauty of it. Approach the opportunity to serve with gratitude and joy and you’ll be serving in the way God intended.

“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”  —Psalm 100:2

Expect Growth And Change

Don’t think that wherever you serve now, that is how it will be for the rest of your life. God is a God of growing His people, so expect to grow exponentially, expect to be more faithful in your attitude and humility towards God, expect to be more servant-hearted, expect to be bolder and more courageous, and expect that the attributes of Christ will only shine brighter in you. That may mean that you take on different roles of service in the church over the years, or find new talents and skills that you can use to better your faith community.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”  —Colossians 3:23-24

The beauty of becoming involved in a church is that you are surrounded by Christ-focused individuals that you can do life with. There is beauty in being able to see God at work in other’s lives, and being a part of that is a special thing.

You may also be interested in When It Comes To Your Faith, Can You Walk The Talk?