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serving on a team

Wise & Kind 31-day Proverbs Reading Challenge

Cultivating a Servant’s Heart

It’s our fourth and final week of the Wise and Kind Proverbs Reading Challenge Blog Series. We hope you’ve loved reading how the women of Sandals church are living out our vision to grow spiritually wise, relationally kind, emotionally healthy, and cultivate community. This week, we’re looking at the final attribute—cultivating a servant’s heart.

If you’re inspired to serve, keep reading and you’ll have a chance to learn more about the teams at Sandals Church that need someone just like you! Also, if you’ve missed any of the previous posts in our series, take a few minutes to go back, visit, and be encouraged:

Cultivating Wisdom & Kindness

Cultivating Emotional Health

Cultivating Community

As always, we love hearing from you. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.

To all my fellow people-pleasing friends, let’s say it together: My name is [insert your name here], and I’m a recovering people-pleaser.

I am in no way making fun of support groups. Seriously, I’m relating people pleasing as the problem that it is. Hear me ladies—It. Is. A. Problem. Especially when one is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Serving and people-pleasing can get intertwined and become a messy dysfunctional thing.

Let’s talk about the difference in the two:

People pleasing has its roots in insecurities. It’s the attempt to “do for someone” acts of all diverse kinds to gain favor, acceptance, or even to earn love. Take it from me, a former people-pleasing queen, there is nothing more exhausting and further from the service Jesus intended for us to embrace and live out than people pleasing.

Serving is giving of oneself freely because of one motive and one motive alone…love. Jesus served because He loved. He loved us to death, literally. The only thing that should motivate us to serve tirelessly and continually is our love for the One who loved us first.

The Bible tells us that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28) The key word is “give.”

Although many of us are a tad tainted with this culture that teaches us to “be served” rather than to serve, we have to take our eyes off of our confusing culture and look square into the eyes of the One who modeled servanthood perfectly—Jesus.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you. Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation. Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT

Our serving should never be an attempt to gain favor, be recognized, or work for God’s love and acceptance. Sister friend, you are LOVED and ACCEPTED by God before you lift a finger in Sunday school class or pick up your mic to belt out a worship song.

You DO NOT need to serve to gain God’s love or favor. You definitely do not need to serve to become more spiritual in the eyes of man or God. If you are serving in this way, you’re missing a beautiful opportunity, sweet friend.

Serving is simply a way we say “I love you back, God.”
It’s a beautiful way to express gratitude for all He has done.

Not all of us can forsake all and become Mother Theresa. She is my favorite example of a human servant. Although she sets the serving bar high, we can still serve in simple yet impactful ways. And yes, it counts to serve your family, but they are the easier ones to serve because we love them. At least, most days we do. 😉

Jesus served His disciples and He served strangers. He made Himself available to whatever the need was. Yes, we are all gifted in some capacity, but that should never limit us in the ways we are willing to serve.

You may be a gifted orator and sharing the gospel comes out as smooth as butter.

You may have the vocals of an angel.

But poopy butts need wiping in the nursery, and the trash needs taking out in the foyer. Those things are serving too.

A couple Sundays ago, I was attending a leader meeting at Sandals East Valley. When I walked in, I observed a man carefully vacuuming every piece of debris on the floor. Shorty after the meeting started, we were introduced to that man: Dan Zimbardi. Um, the renowned D.Z.?! Our Executive Pastor was vacuuming!

I heard so much about him and I met him for the first time as he modeled servanthood by vacuuming the floor. He was not too important to push a Dyson. High five, Pastor Dan!

I think people pleasing has messed up my serving game in the past big time. As I’ve aged, I understand far better the joy and privilege of serving out of a heart of genuine gratitude for all God is and all He has done for me.

He loves me. He showed me how much on Calvary 2000 plus years ago. I love Him and I show him by serving Him with gladness.

Simply serving Jesus is a joy, a privilege,
and truly brings a satisfaction like nothing else.

Go get em’, girl. Serve your little heart out all you can, just because you love Him back.

In His perfect and matchless love,

Diane

LET’S DIG DEEPER…

  1. What does being a servant look like to you? Is your definition based on the truth of God’s word or is it derived from what you’ve been told “serving” should be?
  2. Who do you know that models a servant’s heart? How do they inspire you to serve?
  3. Read Proverbs 3:3-4. Are you trying to earn favor with God and people through serving? Reflect on the truth that you are loved and accepted by God not because of what you do, but because you are His. Now, respond to God and tell Him what that truth means to you.
  4. Has people-pleasing impacted your willingness to serve God? What do you need to let go of (fear, insecurity, doubt) in order to simply serve God with a heart full of love and gratitude?

Is God stirring up a desire to serve in your heart? If you’re willing to respond and step out in faith, you can learn more about joining a team at Sandals Church here. There is a place for you!

As you continue your study of Proverbs, consider these other verses on cultivating a servant’s heart. Choose the one that most speaks to you, and be intentional about applying it to your life and allowing it to change who you are.

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. Proverbs 12:24

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. Proverbs 31:17

Diane Huntsman is the Sandals Ministry Partner for Cultivate East Valley. She’s a wife of 31 years, mom to 4 adult children and Grammy to her 3 gifts. She is in love with Jesus and determined to use all her mistakes, messes and years of living to help women in all seasons to make this life count for eternity. Diane has served in different women’s ministries for 25 years and desires to leave a legacy of loving Jesus to the max. She enjoys all things outdoors, hates running and burpies but loves to make her body do all the things her mind says it shouldn’t do. You can find her on her porch some days, and wishing she was there on all the rest.

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What “Serving on a Team” Means To Me

What does serving on a team mean to me? I am not sure which part of this Cultivate value is more impactful to me – SERVING GOD or being part of a TEAM.  I’m going to share a bit about both, but before I do, let me introduce myself.  I’m Denise White, Pastor Jeff White’s wife, and together we are loving, leading, and serving at Sandals Church Moreno Valley.

Four years ago, we came to Sandals from a small church in Riverside. It was the only church either of us had ever attended. Over the years, Jeff and I both served in a variety of roles as volunteers, leaders, teachers, and eventually staff. Sometimes it was because there was a need to be filled, but other times we intentionally used the gifts God gave us and stepped into a role or started a ministry.

In May of 2013, we left our church because Jeff was invited to join the staff at Sandals Church as the Director of Family Ministries. It became clear that God was calling us to serve Him at Sandals and a new season of ministry was about to begin. Our hesitation came in leaving the church and friends we knew, but that was replaced with an excitement in serving the God we love.

Serving God is an act of obedience but more than that, it is a response of the heart.

We serve because we respond to God’s affections for us. We serve to show our gratitude for all He’s done.

We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

He loved us so much He sacrificed His Son for us to save and give us eternal life. (John 3:16)

He chose to love us even in our brokenness. (Romans 5:8)

Rest on these thoughts for a moment and respond to God. 

If to love Him is to serve Him and to serve Him is to serve His church,
how then should we serve His church?

We should serve the way Jesus served us! We serve with a posture of humility. We put others first. We love unconditionally, and we serve sacrificially. Our attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though He was God, did not demand and cling to His rights as God, but laid aside His mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. He humbled himself even further, going so far as to actually die a criminal’s death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)  

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life
as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-3 NLT

As we transitioned to Sandals, it didn’t take long before our family found places to serve. At a church our size, there is always opportunity. Plugging into a team was essential in grafting ourselves into this church. It was not something we had to convince ourselves to do or negotiate a way to fit into our schedules.

Serving is a part of who we are.

One of the beautiful aspects of serving God and His church is the invitation to participate in what God is doing.  So many great things are happening at Sandals Church. Lives are being changed, from the littlest kids to our more seasoned adults. As we serve within our church, we get to be a part of the amazing things that God is doing.

I like to say we get a front row seat! 

Serving God is an act of obedience but more than that, it is a response of the heart. | Serving on a Team |

What does serving others at Sandals look like? 

It might be holding a baby while parents listen to a much needed sermon, or giving a warm smile and friendly hello as a new family walks in our doors. Maybe it’s teaching a 3 year old what it looks like to pray.

It could mean operating a camera so people can watch the message from other locations, or you could be the one who directs cars so nobody gets frustrated while parking before service.

Maybe you’re called to pray over the man who just learned he has cancer, or listen to the woman whose marriage is falling apart. You could be a group leader and relationally draw others into a deeper walk with Jesus.

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s making cookies for our new guests.

God in all His power and majesty could share the good news and bring healing to broken places without us, but He doesn’t. He’s called us to be part of that plan so we will see His powerful work unfold and give Him honor and praise along the way.

God desires for you to love Him, serve Him, and serve His church.

You just need to respond to His invitation.

  • BE WILLING: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 NLT
  • BE YOU: “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” Galatians 6:4-5 MSG  

Jeff and I have served on many teams and ministries over the years and I hope many more to come. We serve because we are willing.

We said YES.

Most recently, we said yes to serving at Sandals Church Moreno Valley. Yes to stepping out of our comfort zone. Yes to serve until God leads us otherwise. We say yes to where we are needed.  And we serve as we are – ordinary people. We don’t have an extraordinary talent, we just utilize the gifts God has given us to the best of our ability. But we don’t stop there. We allow ourselves to grow in those gifts as God leads.

Remember, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called!

God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings. Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ—to Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 TLB  

It is my deep hope that through my story you will realize just how much you are loved by our Father. He doesn’t need us but HE WANTS US.  Say yes to Him. Say yes to his gift of salvation. Say yes to his love. Say yes to his calling on your life.

That’s what serving on HIS TEAM means to me!

Love to all of you,

Denise

LET’S DIG DEEPER…

  1. Think of all the ways God has loved and served you. How might your service be a response to His sacrifice?
  2. God gave up His son for our salvation. What do you need to give up in order to serve others?
  3. Consider your gifts, talents, and resources. Where and how do you think God can use those at Sandals?
  4. Are you ready to answer God’s call to serve? If not, what would it take for you to say yes to Him?

If you’re ready and willing to serve on a team at Sandals Church, you can learn more here.

 

Denise White is the Cultivate Coordinator at Sandals Church Moreno Valley, where she loves doing life and ministry alongside her husband of 26 years, Campus Pastor Jeff White. Her joy is watching her children, Amber (23) and Tanner Callison, Justin (21) and Emily (17) become who God has created them to be. Denise loves creating, event planning, traveling and spending quality time with friends. While she’s known for baking her delicious Friday cookies, her secret wish is for a personal chef to cook dinner every night!