Strangers & Aliens

Just whom are you serving when you lead that Sunday morning meeting. Oh, I know you will say you are serving the congregation (that is the right answer, go straight to the top of the class). But whom are you really serving.

Are you one of those that loves to be seen at the front? You delight in it. You revel in it. Not that you would admit it to others. But it's true nonetheless. This is the sin of pride. And it seems to me that many whom God supernaturally equips with the gifts and abilities to preach and lead are susceptible to this sin (and I include myself firmly in this camp). There is some likeness to the Pharisee in Jesus' story (Luke 18.9-14). It's an easy sin in which to fall; but a devastating one not only for you but for those you are called to lead in worship. Take care.

That is certainly one way that your leading can be self-serving. But perhaps it may be less deliberate. Here are some other clues that you may not have thought through carefully enough whom it is you are serving.

Do congregations feel like that they are peeking through the curtains at your private time? The accusation from the leader is often "I should be able to worship too!" True - except that your worship to God is, at least in part, your service to others. So, it may be entertaining to see you lost in rapture going off on your own, but is it serving others? Really?

Do congregations feel like you are leading for them. This is a slightly different question. It might be answered by the language you use. If you have lots of children, are you being careful with language? If you have lots of unbelievers are you explaining what you are doing?

Do congregations hear more about you than about God? "Let me tell you about something that happened this week?" I try to save personal testimony for when someone else is leading. That avoids the temptation to talk about myself - which always is more destructive to those listening than I realise, because like many people, I love to do it.

More positively, serving others is a great joy, delight and privilege. So take it on - yes! But do so thinking about who is going to be there; what will help them draw near to God; what will encourage them; what will build them.

And here's the thing. In humility you will eventually find that what builds and encourages those whom you serve also builds and encourages you.