In the church, there is a common occurrence. Many believers ardently participate in the church's ministry at first but frequently give up due to some unhappiness, which even leads to church disagreements in serious cases.
Pastor Liu, who serves in a northern church, pointed out that when it comes to such a situation, Christians need to have a correct mindset toward serving in the church.
First, Pastor Liu believes the minister should understand that serving is for the growth of our lives, not for others.
The lives of Christians need to grow and cannot stay at the level of believing, which can be trained and rooted in the position of serving. Therefore, it is beneficial to actively take part in the church’s ministries and services.
Second, Pastor Liu stressed that serving is not based on our preferences but on the gifts God has given us and on His will.
Apostle Paul said, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers.” We served based on His gifts. There is no such thing as a more honorable position because we are all working together to build up the body of Christ.
However, some are envious of those who preach at the altar and are unwilling to serve in other capacities, while the pastor notices that they lack the gift and eloquence of preaching. Some enjoy singing but are assigned to welcome and clean, which dissatisfies them. Some people will feel disrespected if someone takes on their role as group leader, and they will stop attending church out of rage. Similar incidents occur frequently in churches. Such motivations for serving are wrong and need to be changed.
"As servants, we should be faithful if God uses us. Otherwise, we shall wait patiently without complaints. We must surrender our sovereignty to God as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." Pastor Liu explained: "We must be a brick in His hands, willing to be placed anywhere at His will, not by our own desires.”
Third, Pastor Liu emphasizes the importance of self-improvement for those in positions of service.
In Liu's view, the results vary for the same thing on different hands. Whether serving as a preacher, a teacher, a choir leader, or a pianist, they all need to be equipped, along with hard work for self-improvement in the field where they serve.
Pastor Liu urged those who serve to have objectives and to serve with the intention of pleasing God and seeking God's reward. He said, “We will see God’s work at a certain period during the process of studying hard to serve Him.” What concerned him the most was that some ministers only prayed, "Lord, help me." Allow the Holy Spirit to guide me!" They served without even lifting a finger after prayer.
Preachers who do not carefully prepare their sermons and rely only on 'the guidance of the Holy Spirit' will end up with nothing to preach, according to Liu. It will be difficult to pull the congregation into a life of worship if the choir leader is not well prepared. As a result, those who serve must be willing to grow.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
在教会里有一种常见现象，很多信徒起初很热心地参与教会的事工，但常常因为一些不开心而中断了事奉，有严重的还会导致教会纷争。
针对此，刘仆人是北方一所教会的牧者，他针对这种现象指出基督徒需要有正确的事奉心态。
首先，刘仆人认为事奉者要认清一点：事奉不是为了别人，而是我们生命成长的需要。
基督徒的生命需要成长，不能停留在仅仅是相信的阶段。而事奉的位置是可以操练我们，让我们生命扎根的位置。因此，基督徒积极参与教会的事工，参与到服事中，是对自己生命有益的事。
其次，刘仆人强调事奉不是按照自己的喜好，而是按照上帝给我们的恩赐和上帝的喜好。
保罗说，我们各人蒙恩，都是照基督所量给各人的恩赐。主所赐的，有使徒，有先知，有传福音的，有牧师和教师。我们按照上帝给的恩赐来服事，并没有哪个职份更尊贵一些的说法，因为我们是同建基督的身体。
但是有人羡慕在台上讲道的，就不想做其他的服事，但是牧者观察，他明明没有讲道的恩赐和口才；也有人喜欢唱诗，但却被教会安排做接待和打扫，心里就会不满；小组长的位置有人替代了，就觉得没了面子，因为生气，反而不来教会了……类似这样的事情在教会并不少见。这样的事奉动机都是有问题的，需要改变。
“作为仆人，上帝用我们，我们就忠心，上帝不用我们，我们就安静等候，不要有怨言。我们要把主权交给上帝，我们只是百般恩赐的好管家。”刘仆人解释说：“我们要成为被上帝使用的那块砖，不是我们想放在哪里就放在哪里，而是上帝要放在哪里都行。”
然后，刘仆人指出参与服事的人要提升自己。
在刘仆人看来，同一件事，不同的人做，结果往往是不同的。传道人也好，教师也好，诗班领唱也好，司琴也好，都需要装备，而且需要非常努力用心地在自己所事奉的领域上提升自己。
刘仆人鼓励服事的人要有目标，带着讨上帝喜悦的心，带着要得上帝的奖赏的心去学习服事。他表示：“因为我们为了服事上帝而努力用心去学习的时候，到了一个阶段，一定会看到上帝的工作。”他最怕的是有些事奉人员只会说“主啊，你帮助我吧，圣灵带领我吧！”祷告完，自己一点努力也没有，就去到事奉的位置上。
刘仆人提醒我们：传道人，不好好预备讲章全凭一句“圣灵带领”，到最后会陷入无道可传的境地。带领诗班的，不好好预备，也很难把会众带入到敬拜的生命里。因此，服事的人一定要预备提升自己。
有关事奉（三）：教会事奉人员该有的三点心态
In the church, there is a common occurrence. Many believers ardently participate in the church's ministry at first but frequently give up due to some unhappiness, which even leads to church disagreements in serious cases.
Pastor Liu, who serves in a northern church, pointed out that when it comes to such a situation, Christians need to have a correct mindset toward serving in the church.
First, Pastor Liu believes the minister should understand that serving is for the growth of our lives, not for others.
The lives of Christians need to grow and cannot stay at the level of believing, which can be trained and rooted in the position of serving. Therefore, it is beneficial to actively take part in the church’s ministries and services.
Second, Pastor Liu stressed that serving is not based on our preferences but on the gifts God has given us and on His will.
Apostle Paul said, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers.” We served based on His gifts. There is no such thing as a more honorable position because we are all working together to build up the body of Christ.
However, some are envious of those who preach at the altar and are unwilling to serve in other capacities, while the pastor notices that they lack the gift and eloquence of preaching. Some enjoy singing but are assigned to welcome and clean, which dissatisfies them. Some people will feel disrespected if someone takes on their role as group leader, and they will stop attending church out of rage. Similar incidents occur frequently in churches. Such motivations for serving are wrong and need to be changed.
"As servants, we should be faithful if God uses us. Otherwise, we shall wait patiently without complaints. We must surrender our sovereignty to God as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." Pastor Liu explained: "We must be a brick in His hands, willing to be placed anywhere at His will, not by our own desires.”
Third, Pastor Liu emphasizes the importance of self-improvement for those in positions of service.
In Liu's view, the results vary for the same thing on different hands. Whether serving as a preacher, a teacher, a choir leader, or a pianist, they all need to be equipped, along with hard work for self-improvement in the field where they serve.
Pastor Liu urged those who serve to have objectives and to serve with the intention of pleasing God and seeking God's reward. He said, “We will see God’s work at a certain period during the process of studying hard to serve Him.” What concerned him the most was that some ministers only prayed, "Lord, help me." Allow the Holy Spirit to guide me!" They served without even lifting a finger after prayer.
Preachers who do not carefully prepare their sermons and rely only on 'the guidance of the Holy Spirit' will end up with nothing to preach, according to Liu. It will be difficult to pull the congregation into a life of worship if the choir leader is not well prepared. As a result, those who serve must be willing to grow.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Pastor: Correct Mindsets for Those Serving in Church
