Why?
Because He didn't just want to tell us what to do, he wanted to show us.
How do these men and women love with servant's hearts? Let me list some ways.
-They've helped us carry dinner trays on Wednesday nights when my children grossly outnumber the number of parental hands available.
-They've carried our trash and helped strip down tables after events.
- They carry bundles of walking sticks intended for a VBS craft on their shoulders in a long sleeved-collared shirt on a hundred degree day.
- They rushed to the aid of a young teen who slipped in a puddle of water, cleaning up her spilled tray before she even had the chance to be embarrassed.
-They've offered to babysit, so we could go on a date night or take the big kids somewhere.
-They have offered to take children home from sports practices.
-They go out of their way and make a point to say hello.
-They encouraged me in the parking lot after voicing fears on Facebook.
-They brought me food when I had a baby.
-They hung out with me in the ER for far too long as we awaited test results.
-They offered to sit with my kids at home while we waited in the ER for far too long.
-Though surely taxed by other areas of ministry, they still find time to lead the childrens' choir.
-They snuggle babies while presiding over a deacons meeting. And any other time they can get their hands on one.
-They teach their children to find ways to serve others, like holding our baby while we eat dinner or warch our bigger kids play basketball.
-They show up at the hospital to pray over my babies, sometimes praying over the delivery - like during the delivery.
-They have made countless phone calls, sent texts, and written notes.
These are just a few I thought of, off the top of my head with very little effort. Now realize that I represent just one of hundreds of families in our church. I suspect each one can name a time they witnessed or were personally blessed by the leadership in our church family.
The final example requires a bit of a back story, but it's one of my favorites. Last soccer season, Sam coached a group of Pre-K and kindergarten girls. At the same time, we had three other kids playing so Saturdays were pretty hectic. When it came time for the end of the year celebration, Sam had to travel for work. It's generally expected that coaches show up to these things, so I was the next in line to serve as substitute. This event so happened to occur the night Leah was fitted with a full-arm cast. In addition to the Sam being gone and Leah's arm being broken, I was stressed to the max because we were leaving the next morning to take a trip to Maryland, and I was beyond overwhelmed at how to be in four places at one time for the after-ceremony pizza party. Each team had a designated room in the Family Life Center in which they'd hang out one final time and eat some pizza. When we arrived before the awards to drop off our supplementary snacks, I expected to find my kids' rooms scattered on different floors and in opposite corners of the building. (That's what I do.) What I discovered was that the gym also had tables set up. I found the first team on the back wall. I took a few steps further to the next table, which belonged to my second child. As I proceeded down the wall, I started to wonder if it was just a cool coincidence that they were together. Then I reached the third. And finally the fourth. All four of my childrens' team tables were on the back wall. With dozens of teams, it couldn't have been accidental. Our precious recreation minister had orchestrated the pizza party so that parents with multiple children celebrated in the gym. Because he's amazing. I almost cried right there. (I did cry, later on.) It was such a sweet, sweet gesture. He did not have to do that, but it meant the world to me that he had.
Guys, these folks are TOP NOTCH people. They exemplify Christ. With love like this flowing down, I cannot help but get excited about what God is going to do at Central Baptist Church. You should join us!
You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:13-15When I think of Jesus, the ultimate authority, acting in the humblest service, I cannot help but think of the amazing staff families at my church. Over the past couple of years, we have been blessed with the most sacrificial, serving men and women, and I just want to brag on them. They are the epitome of servant leaders. They saw what Jesus did and the follow his example day in and day out. Not one of them is too important or above serving their church family. It's an honor to do life with them.
How do these men and women love with servant's hearts? Let me list some ways.
-They've helped us carry dinner trays on Wednesday nights when my children grossly outnumber the number of parental hands available.
-They've carried our trash and helped strip down tables after events.
- They carry bundles of walking sticks intended for a VBS craft on their shoulders in a long sleeved-collared shirt on a hundred degree day.
- They rushed to the aid of a young teen who slipped in a puddle of water, cleaning up her spilled tray before she even had the chance to be embarrassed.
-They've offered to babysit, so we could go on a date night or take the big kids somewhere.
-They have offered to take children home from sports practices.
-They go out of their way and make a point to say hello.
-They encouraged me in the parking lot after voicing fears on Facebook.
-They brought me food when I had a baby.
-They hung out with me in the ER for far too long as we awaited test results.
-They offered to sit with my kids at home while we waited in the ER for far too long.
-Though surely taxed by other areas of ministry, they still find time to lead the childrens' choir.
-They snuggle babies while presiding over a deacons meeting. And any other time they can get their hands on one.
-They teach their children to find ways to serve others, like holding our baby while we eat dinner or warch our bigger kids play basketball.
-They show up at the hospital to pray over my babies, sometimes praying over the delivery - like during the delivery.
-They have made countless phone calls, sent texts, and written notes.
These are just a few I thought of, off the top of my head with very little effort. Now realize that I represent just one of hundreds of families in our church. I suspect each one can name a time they witnessed or were personally blessed by the leadership in our church family.
The final example requires a bit of a back story, but it's one of my favorites. Last soccer season, Sam coached a group of Pre-K and kindergarten girls. At the same time, we had three other kids playing so Saturdays were pretty hectic. When it came time for the end of the year celebration, Sam had to travel for work. It's generally expected that coaches show up to these things, so I was the next in line to serve as substitute. This event so happened to occur the night Leah was fitted with a full-arm cast. In addition to the Sam being gone and Leah's arm being broken, I was stressed to the max because we were leaving the next morning to take a trip to Maryland, and I was beyond overwhelmed at how to be in four places at one time for the after-ceremony pizza party. Each team had a designated room in the Family Life Center in which they'd hang out one final time and eat some pizza. When we arrived before the awards to drop off our supplementary snacks, I expected to find my kids' rooms scattered on different floors and in opposite corners of the building. (That's what I do.) What I discovered was that the gym also had tables set up. I found the first team on the back wall. I took a few steps further to the next table, which belonged to my second child. As I proceeded down the wall, I started to wonder if it was just a cool coincidence that they were together. Then I reached the third. And finally the fourth. All four of my childrens' team tables were on the back wall. With dozens of teams, it couldn't have been accidental. Our precious recreation minister had orchestrated the pizza party so that parents with multiple children celebrated in the gym. Because he's amazing. I almost cried right there. (I did cry, later on.) It was such a sweet, sweet gesture. He did not have to do that, but it meant the world to me that he had.
Guys, these folks are TOP NOTCH people. They exemplify Christ. With love like this flowing down, I cannot help but get excited about what God is going to do at Central Baptist Church. You should join us!
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