In service, Lord, to thee
By Andrew Clouse
All Christians—no matter what stage of life—are called to live their lives in service to others.
Service itself can be as simple as an afternoon work project, as demonstrated at the 2011 Mennonite Church USA Convention in Pittsburgh, when nearly 3,000 youth and adults served 47 organizations in the City of Bridges (page 13). This type of service is important, and provides a powerful witness to the goodness of Christ.
Moving beyond the mere project, however, is a lifestyle. Some people are called to a short-term stint with a service organization (see Alayna Hyde’s reflection on page 9), or long-term international service (see Anna Sawatzky’s and Terry Witmer’s reflections on pages 6–8). Many—perhaps most—are called to serve the communities where they live.
The blog entries in this issue of Beyond Ourselves show how those who serve are transformed by the experience. Alayna Hyde, serving in Los Angeles through Dwell, is making the connections between relationship-based and results-based mission. Anna Sawatzky comments on how those involved in mission often affect change even when they don’t realize it. And Terry Witmer writes about having the grace to be served by those they went to serve.
Service is multifaceted—sometimes a single isolated experience, but, at its best, a life to be lived. Over time, everyone—the “server” and the “served”—has been changed for the better. Faith is deepened, communities are strengthened, and the kingdom of God feels just a bit closer.