Growth Through Serving
Leiah GreeneFormer Board Member
I stood in a group of about sixty people on a recent Saturday morning listening to my pastor give instructions. We had all gathered for Albany’s Big Pick-Up. We were told to take a certain route, where to get gloves, trash bags, and a green vest if we were cool. The pastor also mentioned that we may not see anyone that morning, but that as we walk, we could pray for the families and individuals who live in the neighborhood. If we did see someone and they were curious about what we were doing, we could let them know that we were there to clean up a bit and serve the community.
That’s why I went — to serve. I have been blessed with three amazing daughters, and they too have been blessed. I want them to learn that with our blessings we can bless others. That particular morning we were blessed with time, and we could use that time to help the community and specifically, the neighborhood where we worship. Honestly I felt pretty good about what we did, which in itself is not horrible. After all, I had gotten up and out of the house on a Saturday morning. I could have been in my jammies reading the paper. I also brought my kids out. They could have been watching cartoons from the couch. Instead we decided to join our church in reaching out to the community — helping others. These were good things, but I didn’t see the whole picture.
That’s why I went — to serve. I have been blessed with three amazing daughters, and they too have been blessed. I want them to learn that with our blessings we can bless others. That particular morning we were blessed with time, and we could use that time to help the community and specifically, the neighborhood where we worship. Honestly I felt pretty good about what we did, which in itself is not horrible. After all, I had gotten up and out of the house on a Saturday morning. I could have been in my jammies reading the paper. I also brought my kids out. They could have been watching cartoons from the couch. Instead we decided to join our church in reaching out to the community — helping others. These were good things, but I didn’t see the whole picture.
Leiah and her husband Sean with their children at the Big Pick-Up
About two blocks into the route, we came to a house where smokers lived. I didn’t know the people, but I knew this because of the cigarette “endings” in the lawn, on the sidewalk, and on the street side. I had my head down and was bent over picking them up in small bunches and adding them to my bag. I wasn’t counting, but as bunches continued to appear, my thoughts did start to swerve to judgmental. “Why don’t they get an ash tray out here? Why do they throw this many on the ground? I should bring by a sand-filled stand for their endings. Then this wouldn’t be the mess it is.” I caught myself and thought of the people with grace instead. I know it’s difficult to stop smoking. I also know that some people smoke more when they are experiencing stress. This house had an extraordinary amount of endings, which could mean that this was a several-packs-a-day house. Then I prayed. Lord, only You know if these residents are under stress — financial, relational, occupational — and I pray for peace for them. If these endings aren’t the result of stress, then Lord free them from this habit/addiction so they can live healthy and vibrant lives.
I should point out that I had to capture my thoughts about a few things as we walked and gathered trash. My point in sharing this is that I went that morning to serve others. In addition, I was met there by God and He was able to use this “free time” to grow me. The experience really ended up being more growth in me than any noticeable difference to our community. It was good exercise for my body to not be on the couch, but it was also good exercise for my heart. I went to help others and the process helped me inadvertently.
This experience is similar to my partnership in ministry with Mid-Valley Fellowship. Almost five years ago, I was asked to host a table for the MVF benefit dinner. I knew Duan and wanted to support him in the ministry he was leading. I agreed with the purpose of the ministry and wanted to help. Four years ago, I was asked to consider taking a role on the Board. Again, I supported the purpose of MVF and wanted to help the ministry. I could contribute some of my business and event planning experience, but beyond that I could offer my time and opinions. Three years ago, I was asked to share at the benefit dinner, and I felt that I could. I’ve also attended a Homosexuality 101 course, gathered others to support the ministry, and began to have casual conversations about the ministry with people in my life.
All of these opportunities came out of a need in the ministry and then my desire to serve others. What I found is that these experiences developed me more than me developing the ministry. In faith, I offered my time and in that time, God has met me where I’ve been and has done His work in me.
I can say that I have a greater sense of empathy for those who have experienced pain. I have a greater breadth of grace for those who have hurt others as a result of not healing from their own pain. A passion grew in me to love others more unconditionally, but to also know that sometimes the best love is expressed in honesty — whether pleasant to hear or not. I’ve also witnessed the giftedness of God lived out in working with such various personalities in ministry. All of the Board members, volunteers, employees, group leaders, and interns at MVF are so different in their giftedness and personalities. It has been encouraging to watch the body of Christ grow, work, and communicate with one another.
I’ll be honest that I may not have hosted, served, spoken, volunteered, worked, and planned had someone told me it would be a growth experience. Who honestly wants to walk into a “growth season?” However, had someone told me, “Do these things and God will meet with you; You will encounter the living God as you host, serve, speak, volunteer, work, and plan,” I would have jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t want to meet with Him? We don’t always remember that when God does meet with us, growth is inevitable.
Partnering in a ministry is about helping others along the way. More importantly though it is about surrendering our lives, time, expertise, and giftedness for the glory of God. We participate in ministry to more fully know Him and to more fully know ourselves in Him. I want to encourage and challenge our readers to take the opportunities to partner in ministry. Yes, you can choose to do ministry to help others, and then do it expecting to encounter the living God more fully in your life.
I should point out that I had to capture my thoughts about a few things as we walked and gathered trash. My point in sharing this is that I went that morning to serve others. In addition, I was met there by God and He was able to use this “free time” to grow me. The experience really ended up being more growth in me than any noticeable difference to our community. It was good exercise for my body to not be on the couch, but it was also good exercise for my heart. I went to help others and the process helped me inadvertently.
This experience is similar to my partnership in ministry with Mid-Valley Fellowship. Almost five years ago, I was asked to host a table for the MVF benefit dinner. I knew Duan and wanted to support him in the ministry he was leading. I agreed with the purpose of the ministry and wanted to help. Four years ago, I was asked to consider taking a role on the Board. Again, I supported the purpose of MVF and wanted to help the ministry. I could contribute some of my business and event planning experience, but beyond that I could offer my time and opinions. Three years ago, I was asked to share at the benefit dinner, and I felt that I could. I’ve also attended a Homosexuality 101 course, gathered others to support the ministry, and began to have casual conversations about the ministry with people in my life.
All of these opportunities came out of a need in the ministry and then my desire to serve others. What I found is that these experiences developed me more than me developing the ministry. In faith, I offered my time and in that time, God has met me where I’ve been and has done His work in me.
I can say that I have a greater sense of empathy for those who have experienced pain. I have a greater breadth of grace for those who have hurt others as a result of not healing from their own pain. A passion grew in me to love others more unconditionally, but to also know that sometimes the best love is expressed in honesty — whether pleasant to hear or not. I’ve also witnessed the giftedness of God lived out in working with such various personalities in ministry. All of the Board members, volunteers, employees, group leaders, and interns at MVF are so different in their giftedness and personalities. It has been encouraging to watch the body of Christ grow, work, and communicate with one another.
I’ll be honest that I may not have hosted, served, spoken, volunteered, worked, and planned had someone told me it would be a growth experience. Who honestly wants to walk into a “growth season?” However, had someone told me, “Do these things and God will meet with you; You will encounter the living God as you host, serve, speak, volunteer, work, and plan,” I would have jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t want to meet with Him? We don’t always remember that when God does meet with us, growth is inevitable.
Partnering in a ministry is about helping others along the way. More importantly though it is about surrendering our lives, time, expertise, and giftedness for the glory of God. We participate in ministry to more fully know Him and to more fully know ourselves in Him. I want to encourage and challenge our readers to take the opportunities to partner in ministry. Yes, you can choose to do ministry to help others, and then do it expecting to encounter the living God more fully in your life.
June 2012