Engaging the World
For those who lead in mission, service and peace ministries.
Daring to serve
By Del Hershberger
While we pray for Mennonites in other parts of the world, that they will be free from persecution and poverty, they are praying for us in North America, that we will have the strength to overcome the spiritual oppression of materialism and gluttony.
We have a lot to learn from our brothers and sisters around the world. Inspiring stories from Indonesia, Paraguay, and Ethiopia that were shared at the Mennonite World Conference consultation on service in Pasadena, California, last spring demonstrated how believers in those countries are experiencing God’s love as they perform acts of service—both for those who are within the family of faith and for those who are not. At the consultation I was humbled by the natural outpouring of love through service exhibited by the global Anabaptist church. Demonstration of God’s love in word and deed is transforming lives and igniting growth in churches throughout the world.
We can learn from the global Anabaptist family as we renew our commitment to the ministry of service.
Although many North American denominations hold Mennonites in high regard as being “those service people,” we often take Christian service for granted and rely on our reputation to carry us. However, even though the dominant culture has weakened our commitment to service, there is still an earnest desire in our souls to reach out with God’s love to others, and there are some North American Anabaptists who have a compelling vision for service that is truly transformational.
Jan and Rich Landes are currently serving with Mennonite Voluntary Service in La Jara, Colorado, where they work in English as a Second Language, early childhood education, and Boys and Girls Club ministries. They are also impacting their friends back home in Pennsylvania as they write about justice for immigrants and anticipate getting involved in Even Start in Lancaster when they return home next year.
Jeff Marner returned to his home church in Arthur, Illinois, to serve as minister of outreach following his year of discipleship and service in the DEO—Discipleship, Encounter, Outreach—program. His work in Denver during his year of service opened his eyes to new ways of sharing God’s love at home.
In both of these cases, personal transformation resulting from participation in service is motivating them to reach out in new ways in their home churches and is fueling congregational transformation.
We Mennonites often take Christian service for granted and rely on our reputation to carry us.
The fire of service is also being reignited in my home congregation, Hesston Mennonite Church. Three years ago our pastor convinced member Jay Wedel to go with a small team to serve at Menno Clinic in India for several weeks. Jay returned with a new passion for using his gifts and his life for service in God’s kingdom. After searching for opportunities that would challenge their comfortable life, he and his wife, Sharon, moved with their two young sons to Alaska, where they worked at a camp for 15 months. Jay returned to his medical practice in Hesston last summer and is finding many ways to serve at home. As service advocate at Hesston Mennonite, he encourages people to engage in service that transforms both givers and receivers.
I suggest two tactics for revitalizing your congregation’s commitment to service:
Tell your stories.
Almost every church has many stories of members who have reached out with love to others. Many older persons who served through Civilian Public Service, 1-W, and various other ministries, for example, were personally transformed as they cared for others in the name of Christ. When congregants regularly hear and celebrate stories of ministry that create and demonstrate the body of Christ in action, the enthusiasm can be contagious. The stories can create a culture of expectation as they communicate that service is a normal part of Christian life.
Identify and encourage your advocates for service.
Who in your congregation advocates for service? Many churches have deacons who look after the needs of congregants. Does your church have a similar caring team that encourages congregants to actively participate in acts of service in your community and beyond? Service advocates can have a key role in inviting younger, middle-aged, and older congregants to offer gifts of service according to their ability.Del Hershberger is a member of Hesston Mennonite Church in Hesston, Kansas.