29th June 2025 Question box

OK so let me read today’s question:

“Serving in some ministries excite me. Serving in some other ministries is hard and difficult. Should I still serve in those ministries that I have no desire to serve in?”

Thanks for that question. I think we can all relate to the fact that we enjoy and do well at some things, and we are out of place in other things. That’s why I preach, but I don’t play piano. God gives different gifts to different people, and that’s good because it means that all together we get to have music and a message and supper together in a suitable building together this evening.

Perhaps to answer this question, can I separate two words which were part of the question: difficult and desire:

• Sometimes ministry is difficult. Have a look at what Paul said to Timothy: “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). Just because something is difficult is not necessarily a reason to stop doing it; We are in a spiritual battle, Satan doesn’t want the mission of the gospel to succeed, and so there are times when we need to ask God for strength to keep going.
• But then I think what this question is really getting at is the issue of desire. Like I said, I have no desire to join the band: it wouldn’t be good for the band, it wouldn’t be so helpful to you, and it wouldn’t be so joyful for me. I’m glad that our musicians are the band, they have the skills and they enjoy it. In the long term, I think it is good for us to each find a place to serve which does line up with how God has gifted us.

Here are some verses from Romans chapter 12: “If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8). Now, it’s interesting, just to focus on the last one: showing mercy. We are all called to show mercy, aren’t we? If you’re on your way to church and someone falls off their bike and needs help… we don’t say: “Oh sorry, that’s not my gift…” And yet some people are particularly gifted in works of mercy, and so we make them deacons, we set them aside to be able to focus on intentional works of mercy.

So what I’m saying is that sometimes in the short term we need to pitch in and help out with things that might not be our particular passion or gifting, but we can see there’s a need. (There have even been times when I’ve stepped in and lead the singing, and made a joyful noise to the Lord… it encourages other people to volunteer!). However in long term, you will be more effective, and probably more cheerful, if you can serve in those ways that God has put on your heart.

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This question was originally answered in our evening service on 23 February 2025. I’ll aim to post another question and answer next week. You can read about how our question box works here.