Formed in Community & Formed in Service: Formed in Service

In this episode, I explore the transformative nature of servant leadership, drawing on experiences from my recent work with junior crew leaders at VBS. The overwhelming involvement from the church community was inspiring and reminded me of the profound teachings of Jesus on service. Jesus not only taught about serving others but embodied it throughout his ministry, presenting the ultimate example for us to follow.

We dive deep into the concept of service, referring back to biblical foundations in Exodus and the New Testament, where God clearly outlines His expectations for His people. I emphasize that we, as a collective body of believers, are called to be a kingdom of priests, serving as a bridge between God and the world. This notion is echoed by Peter in the New Testament, where he describes the church as a holy nation, illustrating our purpose to be set apart for the benefit of others, not just ourselves.

Further, I engage the audience with practical reflections based on Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet, which redefines greatness and what it means to serve. It challenges us to consider why, despite knowing these truths, we sometimes continue to fall short in our actions. To address this, I identify three key malformations in our lives that hinder our capacity to serve: self-sufficiency, unholy comfort, and illegitimate allegiance. Each of these idols distorts our understanding of service, leading us away from dependence on God's strength and grace.

Throughout the discussion, I point out how self-sufficiency can create a bootstrap mentality that neglects the profound necessity of God’s grace in our lives. Unholy comfort can lead us to avoid the discomfort required for genuine service, and I challenge listeners to reflect on privilege and justice in the context of their faith. Together, we explore the importance of living not in isolation but in a community, actively serving even those who may not align with us or whom we find challenging.

In the second half of the episode, I emphasize counter-formation practices to combat these malformations. I outline the path of discipleship through intentional actions: being with Jesus, being like Jesus, and being on mission with Jesus. I suggest practical steps for creating a culture of service within our community, such as reevaluating our schedules to create margins for service and engaging in prayer as a constant reminder of our need for God.

As we conclude, I underscore the radical notion that serving others is not just an act, but a heart posture that reflects the essence of Jesus’ ministry. I challenge listeners to consider their personal responses to this calling and to identify ways they can step into their roles as servants in a world that so desperately needs Christ’s love and light. Encouragement is given to reach out for prayer and support, reinforcing our commitment to each other in this journey of service. The episode is a powerful reminder of our shared mission to serve, grounded in the example of Jesus and ever reliant on His strength and grace.