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Pastor Doug's Ramblings and Ruminations |
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Date: 2009-08-23 17:37:24
Title: Mission Trip Reports
This morning we heard two mission teams give reports on their trips. The first group talked about their work in Canada. The second group talked about their work in Moldova (a small European country surrounded on three sides by Ukraine). It was great to hear how God is working…both in the lives of the people ministered to and the people who minister. These trips usually change a person. They can make a big impact.
As I reflect on this morning, (I am writing on a Sunday instead of trying to squeeze it in on Monday), a few things stand out. First, we are all called to serve. We are to look at our skills, talents, desires, life experiences and spiritual gifts and use them to serve others. Serving takes on a two-fold approach.
This begins when we serve outside the Church in MISSIONS. These can be local missions such as a soup kitchen or shelter. It can also be national missions where you travel somewhere in the USA. Or is can be international missions. This is…you got it…going to another country. This type of mission work is important. We need to take the gospel to the four corners of the earth.
There is another aspect to serving. This includes serving inside the Church. This is what can be called MINISTRY. This is the usual stuff that people think about: teaching, doing Bible Study records, being a deacon and so on. These are all valid places to serve. However, serving can be so much more. One key question to ask is “What do I want to do to serve others?” This may open a door for you to experience the joy of serving. It may also open the door to a new ministry within your Church.
A second thing that comes to mind as I think about the mission team reports this morning, is that being obedient is more important than being excited. Several people described the emotions of anxiety and fear. They did not mean a paralyzing anxiety or fear. Rather an apprehension about the whole trip. In the end, what came out was that they were glad they committed to the trip and followed through even though they had some concerns. Their obedience led to a special blessing for each of them. Better still some have spoken how it has changed their lives.
This was my sixth trip to Moldova. That place does something to me. It is somewhat like a second home. Where are you in exercising the spiritual discipline of serving? Do not delay. Find a place to serve, commit to it, pour your life into it, let it take you out of your comfort zone, stretch you, and bring you unexpected joy.
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