This Sunday, Covenant will hold its Annual Congregational Business Meeting. As part of the meeting, we will pass a budget and elect Board members. Leading up to this meeting every year, we make several announcements trying to emphasize the importance of members giving and committing an hour or so of their time to conduct the church’s business. As I read the lectionary gospel reading assigned for this Sunday, it dawns on me, maybe we should be emphasizing instead that this is part of our service to God and others.
The last line of this week’s Gospel reading says “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Let’s be clear: our church is not calling for anyone to give their life to attend this once a year meeting! However, we are asking for members to serve God and serve others by being present to help to conduct the church’s business this one day out of the year.
One might ask, how is going to a church business meeting really serving others. Well, think of it this way, your voice and vote in passing a budget offers Covenant and the community opportunities for worship and development of their spiritual life. It provides the blueprint of support for missions, outreach, social and community events that are important to our vision of being “An inclusive community of faith – Offering Hope + Showing Faithfulness + Sharing Joy.” It also provides for the facilities at Covenant for which many of these things take place. None of this would be possible without your support. Your participation, even in this once a year meeting, and your giving, is part of your service to God by serving others through your church, Covenant.
One of the things I love about Mark’s gospel is that Mark is a very in your face Gospel, not a lot of fluff there. In response to a request by two of the disciples to occupy a place of honor on His left and right in God’s kingdom, Jesus replies “If you want to occupy a place of honor you have to learn to serve those among you.” (Mark 10:45) There’s nothing fancy there … just a quick lesson on serving!
Join us in worship this Sunday at Covenant. We also ask that you join us for a potluck dinner following the morning worship as well as joining us in serving God and others by attending the Annual Congregational Business Meeting. My sermon this week is based on the lectionary Gospel for this Sunday, “Mark 10:32-45” and it is called “A Lesson on Serving.”
About Author
