 Jesus was clear that his followers are to be servants: Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:26-28) Service flows naturally and inescapably from the teachings and example of Jesus. Let me tell you why you are here, says Jesus. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? (Matthew 5:13 The Message).
Salty Service is defined in terms of any of four elements:
• Hands-on mercy ministry alleviating the suffering of others;
• Justice ministry addressing systems that cause suffering;
• Earth-care as a steward of God’s creation;
• Relationship building to ease the emotional or spiritual needs
of others.
The congregation will self-select that they have been a Salty Servant this week who were involved in church-sponsored ministries or in ministries that are not church sponsored. They may be part of a mission trip, be volunteers in a soup kitchen or teach English as a second language. A person may choose on their own, for example, to tutor at a local school, to repair a toilet for an elderly neighbor, to work with the community Red Cross, to take part in an community taskforce planning an Earth Day event, to spend time intentionally cultivating a relationship with an unchurched person or to take part in a beach cleanup day.
There is a Salty Service ticket in the pew pockets. If you have been a Salty Servant this week, please take a ticket and place it in the offering plate. This is done anonymously...no names, please.
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