Serve the Church: Displaying Christ in Response to Grace

We say it often in Old Town Church: following Jesus is something we do together. We're not just attending an event or showing up at a building—we're a family that God has brought together by His grace. Each one of us has been called not only to trust in Christ but to belong to His people and join in what He's doing among us. This month, we're turning our attention to one of those shared callings: serving the Church.

Every person who follows Jesus has a unique place and purpose in His body. The call to serve isn't reserved for a spiritual elite or a handful of volunteers—it's for every believer who belongs to Christ. In Old Town Church, that means all of us—every covenant partner—gets to use the gifts and abilities God has given us for the good of our church family and the glory of God.

Peter puts it this way: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace… in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 4:10–11). Serving isn't just what mature Christians do—it's the natural overflow of receiving grace. God's grace doesn't stop with us. It flows through us to others.

Paul tells Timothy that the church is "the household of God, the pillar and buttress of the truth" (1 Tim 3:14–15). When we serve one another, we're strengthening that household. Every act of service matters—teaching a child, setting up chairs, praying with a friend, visiting someone who's sick, giving generously. Each one becomes a living testimony that Jesus is alive and leading His people with love.

Serving the church doesn't start with a sense of duty. It starts with delight. We serve because Christ first served us (Mark 10:45). He knelt down to wash His disciples' feet. He carried our sins to the cross. When we serve, we're following in His footsteps. His humility and love take shape in us.

In Old Town Church, we do this together. Covenant partnership means we're not just volunteering for tasks—we're sharing life in Christ, building each other up, carrying the mission side by side. When one person serves, the whole body gets stronger. When we all serve together, Christ is put on display.

Here's how you can live this out both formally and informally:

Formally: Join a Serve Team. Use your gifts and passions to help build up the body in visible, intentional ways.

Informally: Look for everyday opportunities to serve your brothers and sisters in the church. Write an encouraging note. Share a meal. Offer practical help. Pray with someone who's struggling.

Every act of service—whether anyone sees it or not—is part of how Christ builds His people in love. As people committed to one another, let's pursue this together with joy, for the glory of God and the good of His family.