“So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 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.” - Mark 10:42-45 NLT

 

Serving can sometimes feel a little countercultural. Even the disciples struggled with it. There were times when they argued about who was the most important. And honestly, that struggle can still feel pretty familiar today. We live in a world that often celebrates self-promotion—where we’re encouraged to build our brand, gain followers, and chase success and status.

But the way of Jesus looks different.

Jesus shows us a completely different picture of leadership and influence. If anyone ever deserved to be served, it was Him. And yet, Jesus chose something unexpected. Instead of being served, He chose to serve others.

In our Rhythms of Grace journals, serving is defined as “the humble practice of loving others through tangible acts of care, compassion, and presence, following the example of Jesus.”

If you’re wondering how to get started, here are a few simple ways to begin:

1. Start with what you already enjoy.

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Think about your gifts, experiences, and interests. Do you enjoy cooking? The Meal Train team might be a great fit. Have experience in customer service? You’d probably feel right at home on the Welcome Team. Do you enjoy helping kids learn about how much Jesus loves them? ES Kids could be a great place for you to serve.

Sometimes we assume serving means doing something we don’t enjoy, but that’s not always true. Many times, the things we already love doing can become meaningful ways to serve others.

2. Look for an opportunity.

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At East Side, there are lots of ways to get involved—both in the church and in our community. We partner with great organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Operation Love, and Second Harvest Food Bank through the food pantries at Tenth Street Elementary School and Eastside Elementary School.

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There are also plenty of ways to serve right here at church. You could spend one hour a month teaching preschoolers in ES Kids, or you could invest in students each week by leading a small group with East Side Youth Ministry on Wednesday nights.

Check out es.church/serve to read more.

3. Don’t do it alone.

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Serving is often more fun when you do it with someone else. Invite a friend and sign up together! We’ve also recently launched our Next Gen Team, where kids can serve alongside their parents on the Welcome Team.

 

Serving doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it simply starts with saying “yes” to an opportunity to care for someone else. And you might be surprised by how meaningful that small step can be.

 

If you have questions or would like to have a conversation about where would be a good fit for you to serve, contact me at kharden@es.church.