So thank you.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

In reply to your answer, I think it’s different for everyone, and that’s part of why it’s so difficult. For me, serving is about encouragement. We have all the information we need (and if we don’t, we have Google). What we need now is encouragement.

Encouragement, though, looks different to different people. For some, encouragement is standing beside them telling them each step in the process. For others, it’s getting out of the way and trusting them to figure it out by themselves.

That’s why I think serving others is an art. Throughout the Bible when we look at Jesus, we see Him serving in so many different ways. For some, it was casting out demons. For others, it was telling them to go sell everything they had and follow Him.

I think it’s presumptuous to think we can create a method for serving others. When it comes down to it, it’s about getting to know people, getting to know their needs, and meeting those needs no matter what they are. That takes time. Sometime it requires the “in your face” conversation – sometimes it requires just letting someone know you’re there for them.

The trick is in being available to do anything for anyone. We can’t settle for thinking, “Well, he’s the outgoing person – it’s his job to serve that way.” Yes, often God does use the naturally outgoing person to serve that way, but often He wants to stretch us out of our “comfort zones.” (Gotta love that phrase. ) Sometimes He wants to teach the outgoing person to listen.

Yeah, it’s 1:19 am here. This whole comment probably didn’t answer your question. For that I apologize. I’ll have to think about this some more. Thank you for the questions, though – I always appreciate them.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

Thank you for reading and interacting. I appreciate it.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

The way we “do” church sets us up to be spectators. Some come to hear the concert and then the message. A lot of churches leave it to the pastor to be every gift in the body.

I have to say that I get bored easily with church here in America because it seems really hard to fit in. Also it is not as easy to define how we are to serve in the church. Just this past Sunday the pastor said everyone needs to be getting out of their comfort zones and evangelizing. I agree to a point. Because I have read Introverts in the Church what I actually heard the pastor say was: “All you introverts need to act more like extroverts and share Jesus with others.”

God made us all different and their are different ways to share Christ. Sometimes words will be minimal. Introverts don’t feel like being bombarded by an extrovert anyhow. (Sorry if I left the topic, sometimes coffee makes me do that)

In what ways do you think others should serve in the church. How can we bring a “spiritual meal” to our community each Sunday or whenever we meet?

-Marshall Jones Jr.