Dear Southern Gables Friends,

When I was in my first church, I thought I should go to a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. It was a great time of meeting and greeting the business owners of the town. I thought it might be a good place to do some lifestyle evangelism and make friends for the church.

At the end of the meeting, they made an announcement telling the new attendees to hang around afterward if they would be interested in joining the Chamber of Commerce. So I stayed. A distinguished man met me near the podium and asked me, "So what area of the Chamber's work is where you would like to serve?"

I wish I could have seen the look of shock on my face. I remember saying something stupid like: "Well, I was just hoping to be a member and come to the meetings. I didn't know that I had to take a job."

This Chamber leader looked at me with a look of impatience. He said something convicting like, "You know, Reverend, the work never gets done if all we have are people who attend our meetings." Just the inclusion of the word "Reverend" made his point abundantly clear. The Chamber of Commerce was not looking for people to join their membership list; they were looking for people to join their mission.

Since then, I have grown up some and I understand a few more things than I did. No organization can exist or expand if people don't take a task. Organizations that are trying to accomplish something don't need people who come to their meetings to see and be seen for contacts and friendship. They are looking for people who will help them reach their goals.

Folks, that is what Christ's church is about, too. We are not looking for decisions, but disciples. We are not looking for members, but ministers. We are looking for people who will join us in our God-given task of changing the world with the saving power of Christ. There is one huge difference: we are not trying to build an organization alone, but trying to reach the world with the Good News of salvation by grace through faith. We are emissaries of God Almighty, called by God to be salt and light to a hurting world.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NASB) says, "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ …." The Greek for equipping is katartismos. It has the idea of furnishing, perfecting, or improving someone. It does not mean to teach or to preach. There are other words in the New Testament for those activities. It means to demonstrate or show someone how to do a task. It has the idea of on-the-job training in a task or activity of service. Our staff at Southern Gables Church can help you with ministry tasks of service. We want to equip you to serve the Lord!

Romans 12:6-8 teaches us that we all have gifts and all have a calling from God. It says: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Over the years, I have heard many people pray, "Lord, use me …. in an advisory capacity!" No true disciple of the Lord Jesus is to be without a ministry or a job in God's service. Regardless of your age or stage, everyone is to find their spiritual gift and use it to the glory of God. 1 Peter 4:10 says: "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

So many people wring their hands over the way the world is going. When they are asked to serve, they say send someone else. When the prophet Isaiah (6:8) looked at the world conditions of his day, he told God: "Here I am, send me."

In the secular world there is a lot of talk about "giving back" these days. That is exactly what Jesus was talking about when He said: "Freely you have received, freely give!" (Matthew 10:8). We have been blessed by teachers, pastors, mentors and others. As we mature, we are to be a blessing to others with our teaching, shepherding, mentoring, and service.

In Luke 12:35, our Lord told His disciples: "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning." As Jesus' disciples today, we need to be willing to serve and willing to be active workers for His Kingdom. He has work for every one of us to do.

In my last year of high school, I read in the church newsletter that my home church was looking for a teacher for the 3rd grade boys class. I was just seventeen years old, but I had been in Sunday School all my life and had a rudimentary understanding of the Bible. I knew God wanted me to serve Him so I volunteered. The Sunday School superintendent gave me some teacher's books and I bungled through the first couple of months. I thought it would be great for the kids. But I was not prepared for the great emotional and spiritual benefits that came back to me. In addition to learning the Bible better myself, I saw God change my students. It was fun to influence the lives of kids nine years younger than me. It gave me great fulfillment to serve the Lord and it solidified my commitment to serve Him in greater ways. Teaching kids was one of the greatest experiences of my life! You should try it!! God will bless your life!

And that brings me to this work of God, Southern Gables Church. If you don't have a ministry at SGC, we have a great opportunity to serve the Lord right now in our Children's Ministry. Currently, we have two teacher openings in the Early Childhood division during the 10:30 hour. We also have many openings for helpers at both 9:00 and 10:30 in several classes. If you are interested in any of these openings, please contact Elaine Mitchell at 303-986-1527, Ext. 201 or e-mail her at emitchell@sgc.org.

Folks, these are wonderful opportunities to serve and grow and see God work in the lives of kids. If I weren't busy on Sunday mornings, I would volunteer! But you can and should! Be prepared for the time of your life and eternal rewards in the next. On September 13th, at our Taste of Gables ministry fair, there will be many more opportunities to see the myriad ways that you can serve the Lord and make eternal differences.

Well, see you this Sunday for worship! I have a great text for my message on Sunday, Psalm 42. I have added one more psalm to our series. Our nation has been talking about a national health care plan lately. God has a health care plan, too--not for medical care but soul care. Psalm 42 gives "The Perfect Health Plan for the Soul." Perhaps you are dealing with hurts, habits and hang-ups in your life. This Bible passage will show you how to rise above them with God's help. I hope to see you all on Sunday!

So, before you put the burgers on the grill, worship the Lord with us this Labor Day Sunday, September 6th. Bring a smile, a Bible, and an open mind to let God talk to you. Remember, we have two worship choices for you:

• 9:00 AM Worship — praise, worship, and songs of the faith
• 10:30 AM Worship — songs of the faith, praise and worship

I love being your pastor!

Pastor Mark Platt

mplatt@sgc.org