As a servant for many years, I sought to master my serving since I knew I was flawed and imperfect. I was on the hunt for ways to fashion my thinking and become the best servant I could be. The first step was to learn from my mentor and Bishop the art of communion with our Holy Spirit. Once I was on that road, I became sensitive to how I presented a sermon.
One example came when after a service as I conversed with a guest who was brought by one of our members. During the conversation, they opined, “I enjoyed the sermon but constantly felt like an outsider.” I asked if they would kindly share why that was. They said that I frequently referred to the congregation as “dear Brothers and Sisters” and since I am neither it gave a me the feeling I was outside the congregation.
I took that critique to heart and began replacing “Brothers and Sisters” with “Family”. It seems that “Family” tends to make one feel included instead of excluded. My serving became known for “Family”.
Then just at the right moment I saw a quote from our Chief Apostle Fehr.
No Devine Service is a matter of course,
Each is extraordinary!
When I read that my mind went into deep thought mode. What makes up a Devine Service? I thought there are three parts; God’s part (which is always perfect), and then there is the servant’s part (variable based on individual servant and not always perfect) and finally there’s me and my part, the listener. As the listener, my opportunity is to make the service extraordinary even if the servant was less so.
I now started to reflect on past experiences when I was critical of the servant whose presentation of the sermon was boring and even annoying. What could have been if I had just listened past the annoyance and reaped the truth of the sermon? How much have I missed?
This helped me not only for my own personal edification, but inspired me to be better prepared to deliver my sermons and to minimize where possible the challenges the congregation had to face during my serving them,
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Turning Point
Each divine service is extraordinary; none is a matter of course. This truth accompanies my soul as I enter each divine service. Even if the minister’s presentation is less than extraordinary, it is in my communion with our Holy Spirit that makes each an extraordinary experience a reality. This was a turning point of understanding and perspective that I will cherish and share. I now welcome the challenge to make every service extraordinary for me.