"Outreach" Ministry

Our Sunday School class at Church is struggling through what it looks like for us to be involved in ministry/outreach/service etc. The struggle is not apathy towards service among the members of the class, rather it is not knowing where or how to serve. We want to be involved somewhere on a continual basis, but are finding it difficult to find a good fit.

Let me give an example. Last night myself and a couple other guys went to play basketball at the Salvatian Army facility here in Tulsa. We had been in contact with the man who runs the center and he had suggested this might be a good way for us to get involved. Upon arrival, I quickly realized that I was definitely in over my head as far as Basketball talent goes. I had no business being on the court with those guys! As we drove back across town we discussed whether or not this would be a good opportunity for our class. We came to the decision that it might not be the best fit for our class comprised of mainly white middle class people.

The more I think about it, the more uncomfortable I am using terms like "outreach" or "service projects." It seems that by doing this we are creating two different worlds. One world which think it's superior and has something to offer to the other world that is in great need of the first world's help. The reality of two worlds was especially apparent last night. The three of us were the only white people in the gym last night. If our whole class showed up it may do more harm than good. This two world type of thinking is not healthy. I do not think many of those guys would apreciate a group of white people who showed up to play ball as a service project.

I think problems arise when we as Christians view service as something we do. Often it is treated as though it is something to be checked off a Christian check list. Ultimately, service cannot just be something that we do it must be a reflection of who we are. Being a servant needs to be a part of our character. All of this gives me lots of questions about how the local church can carry out ministry. Many more questions that can be dealt with today!

I hope that our class can catch this vision. I hope we can follow the example of Jesus who was committed to serving others in everything that he did. Jesus did not do service, he was a servant.