Editorial
JAMES E. COSSEY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
SERVANTHOOD Isn’t Optional
P
ERHAPS IT IS JUST ME. Maybe That is normal for a 5-year-old. Perhaps it
nobody else has noticed, but it is also normal for a baby Christian—an
seems to me that many people immature believer. As children grow, they
these days prefer being served discover what it means to be considerate
over serving others. Have you of others. Some believers need to simply
WE ARE HERE TO
noticed that some department store sales- grow up! Peter instructed us to “grow in
clerks and even some restaurant servers the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
SERVE OTHERS,
act as if you are there to serve them rather Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
than the other way around? It’s like you A little boy heard the preacher say we
AND THE OTHERS
are doing them a favor by bringing them are called to serve others. Turning to his
your business. mother, he asked, “Mom, if we are called
ARE HERE TO DO
Believers, if we aren’t careful, can suc- to serve the others, what are the others
cumb to the “Serve me” temptation. In here for?” The answer is obvious. We are
THE SAME.
fact, many in today’s church have been here to serve others, and the others are
overcome by this mind-set. They see the here to do the same. We are here to serve
WE ARE HERE church as a service station for the supply- one another. Plain and simple.
ing of their personal needs. “What’s in it The Bible calls us to be servants. Even
TO SERVE ONE for me?” is their mantra. The idea is “Pas- Jesus said of Himself, “The Son of Man did
tor, you and the worship leaders better not come to be served, but to serve, and to
ANOTHER. PLAIN
bless my socks off today, or I’ll check out give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew
the marquee at another church for next 20:28, NKJV). He also said, “He who is
AND SIMPLE.
Sunday!” Some of these folks need a plas- greatest among you shall be your servant”
tic membership card that they can carry (23:11, NKJV).
from church to church, because if things No act of servanthood is beneath a
don’t go their way, they’ll soon be gone! Christian’s dignity. There are no “big
And many churches are held back in shots” or “little shots” in God’s kingdom,
their outreach and growth because con- and no room for “hotshots”!
tented members feel that as long as their This issue of the Evangel is dedicated
needs are being met, nothing else mat- to those who serve through the various
You are invited to visit the online
ters. They have become blinded to a streams of chaplaincy ministry. Our hats
Evangel site at www.onlineevangel.org
dying world just beyond their doorsteps. are off to these and to all who gladly
and my personal blog at
We preachers aren’t immune either. It serve Jesus by helping others (Matthew
www.jecossey.blogspot.com
Views expressed on my blog are my
is easy to get comfortable and lose sight 25:40). These men and women, as the
personal views and do not reflect
of our true mission when all seems well. hands of Jesus extended, are not part of
the views of the Evangel staff, the
Our granddaughter is 5 years old. the “Serve me” or the “What’s in it for
Church of God, or Pathway Press.
Occasionally we have to remind her that me?” crowd! They inspire us by their ser-
the world does not revolve around her. vice. May we all be so inspiring!
EVANGEL • AUG 2009 3
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