The Fourth Outward Discipline – Service

United Methodists are big on service.  Our Social Principles are a major part of our polity and practice.  United Methodist Committee on Relief and Volunteers in Mission are great arms of service to the world through our denomination.  Each congregation finds ways to reach out to their community.  Service is an important part of who United Methodists are. 

The Discipline of Service helps us understand the difference between true service and self-righteous service.  

Foster talks about self-righteous service that

comes through human effort;

is impressed by impressive gains church scoreboards;

requires external rewards that the effort is appreciated;

is highly concerned with results;

picks and chooses who is served;

insists on meeting the need even when to do so is destructive; and

fractures community.  

Foster also talks about true service that

comes from a deep relationship with God;

sees small gains are as important as ‘impressive gains’’;

doesn’t seek attention;

feels free of the need to calculate results;

is willing to serve all;

can withhold service as easily as perform it; and

draws, binds, heals and builds community.

As I think about the various ministries and services I have been involved in over my life, this list convicts me of where I was being self-righteous and acting like a servant; and where my service was true and where I was a servant.

Think today about the ways you serve others.  When are you acting like a servant and when are you truly being a servant?   That is what the Discipline of Service seeks to teach us.   Foster offers us this prayer:  “Lord Jesus, as it would please you bring me someone today whom I can serve.”

Peace,

Susan