Servanthood
by John Berry
It’s not as easy as it looks, this servant thing, is it? I thought that having been a Christian for over four decades I would have it all sorted by now. Not so, I’m afraid. The enemy recently got in and I found out that secretly I had rather liked the status I used to have of being a pastor.
Before I was a pastor I was a director of a number of small companies involved in the construction industry. I thought that my occupation as a ‘Company Director’ looked good on my passport! When God moved me out of that into Christian ministry I found that being an ordained minister opened doors and also gave me credibility in many situations. I taught that Church government was simply a role that God called you too, and it was of equal value to the Lord as any of the other gifts and ministries that the New Testament refers to, only with perhaps greater responsibilities than some! However, I didn’t realise that having a title had been hiding my sense of inadequacy and inferiority.
I found out I’m not as solidly servant-hearted as I’d thought I was; now I no longer have a title. I just work on the team at an Ellel Ministries Centre. I know I’m prepared to do ordinary tasks, and go the extra mile by working longer hours, but do I have the heart attitude of a servant? Am I content in the status that Jesus gives me as His precious son, not looking for worldly titles and recognition? I’m grateful that much has been dealt with by the Lord, but it’s still a work in progress. He’s wanting to bring more healing into my life.
Maybe you, like me, need to take a moment, from time to time, to examine your heart and motives and see if there are any wrong desires about status that the enemy could trip you up with?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please forgive me for looking to position and titles for my value instead of being content in who You have called me to be. Help me to come back to the essentials of life and rest content in my acceptance in You, being prepared to serve in whatever situation You place me, without the need of human recognition. Amen.
John Berry entered the Baptist Ministry more than 40 years ago, and joined the Team at Ellel Glyndley Manor in 2007 with his wife Jennie. They have both now retired from the team but remain as part of the Teaching and Associate Ministry Teams at Glyndley. John and Jennie have seven Grandchildren.
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