Forced to serve?

[Arbo]

It isnt that i BELIEVE I am forced to serve, I AM being forced to serve.

So you believe.

 

[webdog]

Serving is using the gifts we have been given. Everything we have, everything we are is from God. Whether it's physical strength to push a mop or a voice that can carry a tune. It is all related within the framework of our lives and service to our Lord.

Since all believers are commanded to serve, we have all been gifted with the ability to do so.

You are blessed that you were gifted to work with small children. Some of us are NOT gifted with that blessing. I'm one of them. God didn't grant me the patience needed for small children's ministry. Perhaps that's why we never had children of our own.

Which means the OP doesn't apply to you. The requirement was for those with children.

I'll gladly paint the nursery, empty the diaper pails, mop the floors, prepare meals for them and anything else in a support role. One example of such service has been during Vacation Bible school. I have and will continue to volunteer, in any support capacity needed. There's one exception. I cannot volunteer to teach a class. I do not have that gift. To "force" me to fill that role would be a disaster for both the children and myself. God has allowed me to recognize that limitation within myself.

:thumbsup:

IMO it is wrong for any church to "force" any member into a specific service for our Lord in any manner. Our Lord calls. He doesn't force anyone into "work" for which He hasn't made provision for him/her to be successful according to His plan for their lives.

So leaders should plead? Shepherds should ask sheep where they would like to go? I think it is wrong to think one is "forced" when a requirement like the OP is given. A parent can take advantage of the service...but cannot serve themselves? Something is seriously wrong when a believer complains about this!

 

[Oldtimer]

Since all believers are commanded to serve, we have all been gifted with the ability to do so.

Which means the OP doesn't apply to you. The requirement was for those with children.

:thumbsup:

So leaders should plead? Shepherds should ask sheep where they would like to go? I think it is wrong to think one is "forced" when a requirement like the OP is given. A parent can take advantage of the service...but cannot serve themselves? Something is seriously wrong when a believer complains about this!

Yes, I agree that all believers are commanded to serve and have been gifted with the ability to do so. My point is that we all are not gifted in the same manner. You are blessed with the gift of QUALITY service with small children. I was not, as previously stated. Other parents of small children, may not be as gifted as you are. They best efforts with their own children may be a struggle. IMO, it would be wrong to "force" them to serve in the capacity of child care of other people's children, too. Use your gift to help their children, and allow those parents choose to serve our Lord in some other capacity. Within the church assembly or elsewhere.

As stated, this rule for service in the nursery if a parent places their child there, doesn't recognize that said parent may already be in service to our Lord elsewhere in their life. There are numerous examples that could be given, of which the local church may not be aware of that service. For example, a woman could be a part of a Prayer Shawl ministry that's based outside her local churche's ministries.

Leaders should ask. Leaders should, humble themselves, if necessary, to plead, if that's the will of God. Leaders should not demand, whether vocally or through "rules" of service.

Jesus Christ asks. The pleas of our Saviour are all through the scriptures. Our Lord does not DEMAND anything from us that we are not freely willing to do/give.

Shepherds lead sheep where they should go. There's an old saying -- you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Shepherds lead their flock to the living waters. But it is the sheep's choice to drink.

Just as it's the sheep's choice of how they will serve our Lord. Both the shepherd and the sheep in his flock will be judged when the time comes. Yes, sheep who don't serve, according to their gifts, will be judged. As will shepherds, who demand more of their individual sheep that what God, Himself, asks of them.