I wanted you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but have thus far been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

  - Romans 1.13

But you have long known my purpose of instilling character; if you see some progress of souls with you, stay there...

  - Columbanus, Letter to His Disciples, Irish, 7th century

I have often been asked by people how to determine where God wants them to serve in the Church. My answer is always the same: wherever and however you can bear fruit.

God has given us gifts for ministry by His indwelling Spirit so that we may be fruitfully employed in building others up in the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 12.7-11). Those gifts may be large and varied, or they may be small and but a few.

No matter their number and no matter their strength, God wants us to be about the work of serving others with all the gifts He has given us(1 Pet. 4.10, 11).

The proper focus of ministry is not on where we feel we should be or what we would most like to do, but where we bear fruit. Ministry, after all, is not an end in itself. We should not merely teach, simply give, or care for the poor just to meet their physical needs. Whatever we do in ministry must concentrate on bringing others to a higher stage of Christ-likeness, helping them to become more like Jesus and better fitted, through knowing Him, for serving Him.

Wherever you choose to serve the Lord in His Church, make sure that your ministry is focused on bearing fruit in others. Start where you are, with the people you see each day, week-in and week-out. This is the “sphere of influence” – the Personal Mission Field – to which Christ has sent you (Jn. 20.21; 2 Cor. 10.13-18). You’ll never grow weary of serving, or resent the time and energy invested therein, as long as you can see that people are growing in the Lord. You may have to undergo some “trial and error” in order to find your best ways of serving the Lord, but by all means, seek His work of ministry for you, and get whatever equipping you will need in order to fulfill it (Eph. 4.11, 12).

You’ll know it when you’ve found your place and work of ministry, because the Lord will bring forth fruit from your labors. Consider the field into which the Lord is sending you today. “Lift up your eyes” (Jn. 4.35) and see the harvest that awaits your works of ministering love. Ask the Lord to establish the work of your hands, and trust that He will do so (Ps. 90.16, 17). Then go forth ready to serve by word and deed, and eager to see the fruit of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit the Lord can bring forth in others through you.

Psalm 90.16, 17 (Landas: “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”)
Now let Your work to us appear; our children show Your might.
And let Your favor rest on us; show mercy in Your sight.
The work that You have given us, confirm, and to us show,
That we Your chosen path may walk and in Your precepts go.

Show me where to serve, O Lord; guide me into the field of endeavor where I can best bear fruit for You.

This Week at The Fellowship
Lots of worldview insights and ideas in The Week column. And if you have not yet begun reading the current ReVision column, then you’re missing a great opportunity for learning how to approach your unbelieving friends with the Gospel. You can still – at any time, actually – enroll for the course, Spiritual Maturity 1: Revival, and study by yourself or with a Mentor (no charge, of course). As always, we appreciate your prayers, referrals, and financial support. Would you consider making an end-of-the-year gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe? If so, you can use the donate button here or at the website, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452. Your support lets us know that our ministry matters to you, that you’re being helped by our efforts so that you are growing in the Lord and are better equipped for serving Him. Any suggestions you might have to help us help you in this matter are, of course, always welcome.

T. M. Moore, Principal
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