I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV.
I’m heading to Nicaragua in a couple of weeks on a medical mission trip. Hello! Medical mission trip? Me? I’m no doctor. Not even a nurse. George Clooney has a leg up on me. At least he plays a doctor on TV. Lately I’ve been practicing holding down my thirteen-month-old son as my wife puts the thermometer in his…umm…, but I’m hoping this skill won’t be necessary in Nicaragua. I have little to no helpful training in running a medical clinic. Or so that’s what it seems right now. But I suspect that I will find my place on the team and my role in God’s work in Nicaragua as days unfold. In fact, I’m sure that there will be a very definite role I will play. I just don’t yet know what it is.
Many of us feel exactly the same way when it comes to finding our place of service at SCC. We think, “What helpful skills do I have to help my church? I’m no pastor. I don’t know my Bible very well. I’m not a techie. I’m no good with kids and teenagers scare me. I’ve got physical limitations that keep me from being physically active. In fact, I really just want to show up on Sunday morning and be recharged for my week.” OK. You’re right. God doesn’t have a role for you to play at SCC. And I should just throw in the towel before I even get down to Nicaragua. End of letter.
NO! You may have all these limitations, but there is still definitely a place for you to serve at SCC. There are unique talents that God has given to you, and dare I say “expects” you to use in God’s Kingdom. God’s Kingdom is definitely bigger than just the church, and maybe you’re using those gifts out in the community (Thank you, God!), but let me encourage you to use at least some of them to help us accomplish our mission at SCC: to ignite authentic life in Christ by connecting (to God and others), growing (in the character of Christ), and serving (the church, community, and world).
Maybe you don’t know what your talents are, or maybe you need a refresher. For two weeks beginning on January 29th, we’re going to begin an annual Serve Sunday series where we will encourage you to make a commitment to serve in some way in the church. To prepare for that Serve Sunday, we’re encouraging you (and your small group) to take an online spiritual gifts inventory – http://www.assessme.org/2364.aspx (actually there are four inventories – spiritual gifts, leadership style, personality, and skills – and it will take you about 15 or 20 minutes to take it thoughtfully). It’s FREE and it will help you discern where God is calling you to serve. Then come on Sunday, February 5th with a plan to make a commitment to serve at SCC in some way.
So take the survey. Begin discerning your place in serving at SCC. We’ll walk this journey together. I look forward to getting back from Nicaragua and telling you what piece of God’s puzzle I played.
Peace,
Tom
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