when the ministry question becomes, “how much?”

My dad was talking to me on the phone a few days ago as I was desperately trying to over-schedule myself. He said, “You know Katie, sooner or later, you’re going to have to realize that you can’t please everyone.” I was taken aback but then felt relieved.Often, I want to be able to do everything for everyone. I want to know every single person at church or on campus. But this is not what God has called us to!

I had been feeling guilty because I wasn’t involved with a ministry at my new church yet. At my previous church, I had been very involved with at least 5 different ministries in addition to school and work. I don’t say this to sound over-spiritual. In fact, if you read on you’ll understand why I say this.

As a disclaimer, I want to say that there is no limit or magic number of ministries that we should serve in, except one: serving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Additionally, I don’t want to say that we should shy away from good ministry opportunities because we afraid of getting over-involved.

What I am asking for is, like any issue we face as Christians, some discernment and wisdom.

I was talking with some friends on the way back home from church this afternoon about how involved we should get at church. I started to realize that the question can quickly become legalistic if I am trying to ascertain my spiritual well-being based on my external service.

I don’t know what struggles you may have. You may be leaps and bounds ahead of me in this issue and are serving God faithfully. I appreciate you so much! Maybe we can schedule an appointment so I can learn from your example !

Our question should not be,”Should I be serving in the church?”

RATHER

“How should I serve in the church and/or to what extent will my time allow for such-and-such?”

Just as a final thought, one of the pastors at the church I attend, Jonathan Rourke, said that Christians often have a false view of ministry at church. They want to get “plugged in” and don’t realize that this term is getting us confused about serving the body of Christ. As Christians, we will always be a member of the body of believers and for this reason we should serve faithfully and diligently at any capacity we are given.