Irrelevant?

[Gentle Lamb]

Something that has come up in the church teachings of one of the churches I've been following is the need for people to serve actively in a particular department in the church, using their God given talents, or they will be irrelevant. They can even be irrelevant if they're not at a particular service to give of their talents. I've heard this same sort of doctrine preached in several churches that I've been through and in the past I was always eager to jump in and serve. Years later, having been through much spiritual abuse in churches and just abuse in general (as detailed in some of my past posts) I'm far more hesitant to serve and I'm leaning into the guidance of God about serving anywhere. It didn't sit right with me when I heard this doctrine being taught, as it sounded so similar to the desperate pleas and bully type of pushing towards serving in the church that I've given in to before... only to be treated badly. Is this a common doctrine being taught? I don't think it aligns well with scripture and I want to be careful, I'm hesitant to make another commitment. Also I think there are other ways to serve even if I'm not active in any particular church department. Help?

 

[bekkilyn]

One thing to consider is the possible responsibilities required for being a member of a particular church congregation vs. someone who just attends a church or doesn't attend a church at all or watches online services. If you're not a member of a particular congregation and have agreed to whatever is required of members at that particular church, then you do not have those responsibilities to be active or serve in any given department in that church.

If you are a member, then you may have agreed to certain responsibilities and then you would need to decide to either step up and fulfill whatever agreements you made or move your membership to a church that does not make those demands.

With that said, I do wholeheartedly believe that God put us on this earth to serve and to use the gifts and talents he gave us to serve, make disciples, glorify him, and to help build up the body of Christ in *some* way. God didn't just put us here to sit around for no purpose. Maybe he's not calling you to serve in a particular church organization, but he is calling you to serve *somewhere* and perhaps then you're in need of more prayer to help you discern the special ministry that God is calling you to do as part of the body of Christ.

I'm not sure "irrelevant" is the best word to use when it comes to gifts and talents that are unused. Yes, they are irrelevant, but "dead" is probably a better one. We need to be using our gifts and talents *somewhere* or we produce no fruit and that's what dead trees produce.

 

[SuperCow]

Even if they followed a faith by works doctrine, I think the word is incorrect.

Everyone is relevant, even if their relevance is evil or they're food for a grizzly bear or something. I think they mean worthless, which is what they might become if they continue to insult their own parishioners.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Well, that's one way to get volunteers for the children's ministry...

 

[Pavel Mosko]

Is this a common doctrine being taught? I don't think it aligns well with scripture and I want to be careful, I'm hesitant to make another commitment. Also I think there are other ways to serve even if I'm not active in any particular church department. Help?

I was pretty active reading a lot of "Church Growth" movement books in the mid to late 90s and yes it is very common idea based on "spiritual Gifts" and the importance of having gifted volunteers helping the ministry of the local church. Rick Warren's Church uses the SHAPE model of ministry and has classes on it etc. like the pdf below.

http://www.ministryideas.com/doc/shape_discovery_tool.pdf

 

[timothyu]

Sounds like free labour while a church profits. Do they expect financial input from you also or is your time and efforts considered contribution enough. You never mentioned whether these were for profit institutions or non-profit communities.

 

[.Jeremiah.]

Back in the day when I was attempting to find a church building that actually taught God, instead of peddling their corporate policies, I also was “led” to serve.
Since I had a strong desire to serve, I ran with it. But after many different church building experiences, I began to see the light.
I now serve people wherever I go, whatever I do.
I’m no longer going to a building, since I never encountered the Lord in any that I went to.

This verse, directly from the Lord, finally made sense:
Mark 7:7
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Also, this one:
Luke 17:21
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Behold!!!