Serving the Church is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament. It encompasses a wide range of activities and attitudes aimed at building up the body of Christ, fostering unity, and advancing the mission of the Church. This entry explores the biblical basis, spiritual gifts, and practical expressions of serving the Church.

Biblical Basis

The call to serve the Church is grounded in the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus declares, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). This model of sacrificial service is echoed throughout the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to emulate Christ's humility and love.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of service in his epistles. In Romans 12:4-8, he writes, "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" . This passage highlights the diversity of gifts within the Church and the importance of each member contributing to the whole.

Spiritual Gifts

The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts upon believers for the purpose of edifying the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul explains, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" . These gifts include, but are not limited to, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

The exercise of spiritual gifts is intended to promote unity and maturity within the Church. Ephesians 4:11-13 states, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ" .

Practical Expressions

Serving the Church can take many forms, both within the local congregation and in the broader community. Acts of service may include teaching, preaching, leading worship, providing hospitality, caring for the needy, and participating in outreach and evangelism efforts. The early Church in Acts 2:44-45 exemplifies communal service: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need" .

Moreover, serving the Church involves a heart attitude of humility and love. Philippians 2:3-4 exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" . This mindset fosters a spirit of cooperation and mutual support, essential for the health and growth of the Church.

In summary, serving the Church is a vital expression of Christian faith, rooted in the example of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It involves the use of spiritual gifts, a commitment to unity, and a heart of humility and love, all aimed at building up the body of Christ and advancing His kingdom on earth.1 Peter 4:10-11
As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
And we beseech you, brothers, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
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Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
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1 Peter 5:1-4
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
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4244. presbuterion -- a body of elders
... Cognate: 4244 -- properly, a council (group) of elders; a serving a local church
who lead (feed, shepherd) the people of the Lord (cf. 1 Tim 4:14). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4244.htm - 7k

1249. diakonos -- a servant, minister
... the NT usually refers to the Lord inspiring His servants to carry out His plan for
His people -- ie as His "minister" (like a serving Him in a local church). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1249.htm - 8k

752. archisunagogos -- ruler of a synagogue
... other elders-overseers serving in a particular synagogue. [Note the parallel with
government in the NT. Like the ancient Jewish , a local NT church needs to be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/752.htm - 8k

Kingo's Psalmbook
... Hans Thomisson's hymnal had become antiquated after serving the church for nearly
one hundred and twenty-five years. It had served its purpose well. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter five kingos psalmbook.htm

Reclaiming a Church to Meet a New Age
... in the city!" Another instance revealing the sort of spirit which pervaded the parish
house and filled the people of Christ Church was the serving of dinners ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/reclaiming a church to meet.htm

How Haedde Succeeded Leutherius in the Bishopric of the West ...
... his bishopric, for, as has keen said above, he was more industrious in ecclesiastical
than in worldly affairs; serving God only in that church, and going ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how haedde succeeded.htm

Of the Teachers and Ministers of the Church. Their Election and ...
... If we admit this (and it certainly ought to be admitted), there will be two classes
of deacons, the one serving the Church by administering the affairs of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 of the teachers.htm

The Living Word
... He had long suffered under the difficulty of serving a church which honored the
law-breaker and persecuted the law-abiding and thought of resigning. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter thirteen the living word.htm

Whether There Should be Different Duties or States in the Church?
... states and duties is not an obstacle to the unity of the Church, for this ... namely
by charity, "by what every joint supplieth," namely by one man serving another ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there should be different.htm

The Corporate Union of Church Bodies: Bases and Terms.
... they have also been an evidence of inherent strength, serving a providential purpose ...
and the early and mediaeval history of the Christian Church, by quickening ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/ii the corporate union of.htm

Household Salvation
... They rejoiced, no doubt, also because they had enjoyed an opportunity of
serving the church in waiting upon the apostle. They felt ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/household salvation.htm

Article xxviii Every one is Bound to Join Himself to the True ...
... and unite themselves with it; maintaining the unity of the Church; submitting
themselves ... Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xxviii every one is.htm

The Emperor's Mother Helena Having Come to Jerusalem, Searches for ...
... the emperor's mother had completed the New Jerusalem, she reared another church
not at ... in the register [217] of the churches to a repast, serving them herself ...
/.../chapter xvii the emperors mother helena.htm

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