What is the best kind of service for you?

Listening is currently probably the most meaningful service I give. Maybe also patience, hugs, and encouragement.

This is something I’ve had to wrestle with as I’ve lost faith in the institution as divinely inspired.

Service is meaningful and joyful for me when it has a direct human connection.

I think the way we sometimes talk about callings and “serving in the church,” as well as the way one of our temple covenants is phrased, can lead us to think about service in ways that aren’t all that helpful. That’s been my experience, at least.

For far too long, I thought of my service as something I was rendering for the institutional church, that it was my offering on the church’s altar. Of course for much of that time, there was little distinction between the “church” and God for me.

When I look back on that season in my life, it’s no wonder that I quickly found church service tiresome and unappealing. It was in a sense my idolatrous offering.

And the truth is that even though I love God and love Christ, service that is solely for God or Christ is not that meaningful to me, spiritually. I have a hard time making the connection between my actions and them. Hence my love of Mosiah 2:17 and Matthew 25:33-45.

As I began to think of serving in and out of the church as a way to help friends and those I truly cared about, and to try to practice loving those that I don’t naturally love, it became easier to render. I totally share your feelings, SilentDawning, on missionary work.

For me, the best kind of service (in or out of the church) is done when it is personal and directed at the person’s needs. When the expressed or implied focus of the service expands beyond the needs of the individual or community, to doing something because it improves the image of the church, gives us greater visibility, might reactivate someone, might help someone join the church, etc., I really sour on it.

My present calling is one that interfaces pretty heavily with church HQ (“the church”***). I must continually remind myself that what I do helps my good bishop, his counselors, and priesthood and auxiliary leaders. When I begin to think of my efforts only as benefiting a mere organization, I feel serious resentment toward the church.

So I don’t mind helping with moves. I actually like it. It is pretty “pure” as church service goes. I was the Gospel Essentials instructor for a while – I really enjoyed that calling, when the manual’s literal interpretation of everything wasn’t giving me angst, because I felt like I was able to present to new members and visitors the parts of the church and the gospel that I think are wonderful. My appreciation for home teaching has really grown – when you can get beyond the kind of rote dialogue and the need to reach 100 percent, when you really get to know families and individuals, it is such a wonderful way to create interconnectedness and promote Christian love in a congregation.

***The usage within Mormon culture of “the church” as a stand-in for church leadership and hierarchy and the organization rather than as a description of a global or local community of believers is such an odd phenomenon, and one that I wish would end. “The church” should be a place to hear and experience God’s love (talk of, rejoice in, and preach of Christ) and practice Christian love (mourn with those who mourn, comfort those in need of comfort); the church should not be an institution that tells us how to behave and what to believe. Perhaps this mini-rant would be more appropriately placed as a response to Ray’s thread, “How Much Direction is the Right Amount?“

Listening is currently probably the most meaningful service I give. Maybe also patience, hugs, and encouragement.

Tom,

That’s extraordinarily meaningful to more people than you might realize.

MnG

I prefer the kind of service that is appreciated. I sometimes feel that expected service is unappreciated service, “he was just doing his duty.”

I prefer the kind of service that builds relationships. I’ve been asked to sub for a primary class next week, I feel that this doing a favor will be appreciated and help build relationships.

I prefer the kind of service that makes me part of the community. The choir had a performance on Easter Sunday. Though I am not interested in being a long term member, I recognized the shortage of men and volunteered to join for the month prior to Easter to help the performance be a success. I view moving along this line. Often the person moving doesn’t seem particularly grateful and they are moving so building a relationship with that person is a diminishing return, but serving with the other members of EQ improves solidarity and the feeling of group brotherhood.

I prefer the kind of service that is appreciated. I sometimes feel that expected service is unappreciated service, “he was just doing his duty.”

I prefer the kind of service that builds relationships. I’ve been asked to sub for a primary class next week, I feel that this doing a favor will be appreciated and help build relationships.

I prefer the kind of service that makes me part of the community. The choir had a performance on Easter Sunday. Though I am not interested in being a long term member, I recognized the shortage of men and volunteered to join for the month prior to Easter to help the performance be a success. I view moving along this line. Often the person moving doesn’t seem particularly grateful and they are moving so building a relationship with that person is a diminishing return, but serving with the other members of EQ improves solidarity and the feeling of group brotherhood.

Man, the people on this board inspire me with how Christian like your examples are. Thanks.

Perhaps I am my own harshest critic, but I feel guilty that all my examples of prefered service are reciprical and include a benefit for me.

nah, don’t beat yourself up about that. I think most people are motivated to serve others to benefit themselves. It makes me happy to serve others….that is benefitting me. If I believed God would bless me…it is benefitting me. If I think it leads to a good place in the next life (heaven) it is benefitting me. It teaches me to love…that is benefitting me.

I’m not suggesting that is the highest order to serve others, I just think it is a natural thought for us mortals, for you and I both, Roy.