The Towel

The Towel

The cross was real—bloody, heartbreaking. It was the symbol of man exalted and man degraded. Now, however, we have covered the blood and hidden the heartbreak with gold. Instead of getting on the cross we now put it on a chain and wear it. The symbolism is not of what happened then, but of "look at me now."

A cross I can live with. It doesn't intrude into my insulated life of three bedrooms, education, money and church. The cross is a story, an ornament around my neck, a song, an ambiguous reference to a sentimental part of my life I call religion. I can relate to that. The cross was a wonderful sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world. However, once  was enough; since I needn't die for the sins of the world, I'll thank you for the cross, Lord, and remain uninvolved.

But the towel. Why did you have to use a towel? Why didn't you let them wash your feet? I can understand that. But you washed their feet.

A towel is dirty, common, so daily, so secular. The cross is religious, almost glamorous today. It is even part of the fashion scene. I want to worship you through a gilded cross, not a dirty towel.

But the towel is there, still. It taunts me with its statement, "I came to serve and not be served." I can hide in the church building and kneel before the cross, but you went into the world with a towel kneeling before people. I want the cross, but you gave me the towel.

Worship Leader Institute 2012

MRCC Guest Relations Instructional VID

A Job or a Ministry?

Some people have a JOB in the church;
Others involve themselves in a MINISTRY.

What is the difference?

If you are doing it because no one else will, it's a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry.
If you quit because somebody criticized you, it was a job.
If you keep on serving, it's ministry.

If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a job.
If you stay with it even though nobody recognized your efforts, it's ministry.
If you do it only as long as it does not interfere with other activities, it's a job.
If you are committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it's ministry.

The average church is filled with people doing jobs.
A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.
If GOD calls you to ministry, don't treat it like a job.
If you have a job, consider giving it up to find a ministry.
GOD wants people who are excited and faithful to HIM in ministry.

Leadership

The definition of leadership in the Bible is far different from that in the world:

   1. Leadership is not a role - it's a function.
   2. Leadership is not a right - it's a responsibility.
   3. Leadership is not wielding authority - it's empowering people.
   4. Leadership is not winning popularity - it's influencing people.
   5. Leadership is not a gender, race, or age issue - it's service.

Ronald Reagan Tribute -- Bel Air Presbyterian Church

Free Service

FREE SERVICE

Is anything free now days? Has anything good ever been free?

Service is what will make a difference in our society. I am teaching about that in a Wednesday night Bible study. I would be glad to share some of that stuff with you if you think it could help you.

I know "love" will help the world. However, now days they have redefined “love." Service is love in action. Being a servant is leadership. Jesus said the “greatest” among you is a servant. I do not get the idea from Jesus’ life that he wanted us to be American “leaders” but real servants -- ministers -- care givers.

Many have encouraged me to be a better servant without cost or expectations in return. A few of them would be some ministers years ago in Wisconsin, a great church of our Lord in Oklahoma City, and a Savior who is the greatest Servant  of all.

That is my proposal to you. I am on a mission to empower Christians to be difference makers in their communities. I want to inspire and motivate the people I serve to be better ministers or servants. I want to encourage them and you with real stories that we can motivate to be servants. The greatest servant of all is Jesus -- our mission is to share that story with the world. All of us know people who serve. Rarely do they make it in the news. Even public servants have become all too self-serving to make a difference.

You know people who are serving in a Christlike way. People we name as leaders in a church bulletin but they are leaders in the realm that counts. We need servants in families, on jobs, in civic clubs, in churches, and everywhere. People who go to the nursing home to encourage, take food to people hurting, send cards to people in need or experiencing good times. There are those who serve and make a difference in society. They are truly the only ones who make a lasting difference.

I want to inspire you and you inspire me to be “The Servant’s Society.” First a society, community, and kinship of people with a common cause. This society is not primarily for our own good, which is self-service, but for the good of THE SERVANT. Therefore, we are the Servant’s society. Not a humanistic society but the creator’s society. Really life-changing people.

If you are a Christian, you are already part of the Servant’s society. Nevertheless, if I can serve you and you help me, then we could really encourage one another to be greater servants -- ministers -- care givers. Send me a story under 1,000 words. I can and plan to share some life examples with you who ask me to. If you would like to be on “The Servant’s Society” list, let me know and we will join in sharing inspiration for this journey of service. Then some day we can rest with the greatest of all servants.


You think about that!

Warmly
Kevin Rayner