“Yes, Maam. Would you like sweet or unsweet?” That’s what I should have said to Patty, but I didn’t. In fact, after Patty asked for tea, I told her to get her own tea. Yes, I know my actions were a bit cold, but I just couldn’t give Patty her tea. Right or wrong, I developed a key component of my Theology of Christian Service in ministering to Patty. If you are needy, then I will meet your basic needs, but you are on your own for the things you want. Do you agree or disagree? One must also ask the question about God. Does God meet my needs as well as my wants? Would Jesus have brought me the tea? There are no easy answers when you develop your Theology of Service. Benevolence committees throughout the world battle between giving generously and providing for basic needs.
“Patty’s Tea Party” started like this. I was a young Pastor serving in my first month of the pastorate. I was gospel focused, and ready to fight Satan with a butter knife. One morning, Patty called the church, and told me that she had no food, and that she was in great need. Patty had a way of tugging at my heart over the phone, so I told her that I would be by later with some food.
I called up two deacons and asked them to meet me at the grocery store, because we had a ministry visit to make. As the three of us shopped and put loads of rice and peanut butter in the basket, the two deacons had a “quirky” smile on their face. When I asked about it, they said, don’t worry pastor, everything is good.
When we got to Patty’s house, I modeled the benevolence visit that had been taught to me in Seminary. You don’t just deliver the food, you deliver the “bread of life.” I witnessed to Patty, using my gospel sharing model I had learned from Seminary, prayed with her, and Patty received Christ as Lord and Savior. As the Deacons and I were driving back home, I told them how great ministry was, and how I felt called to serve. I experienced a great feeling of faith and validation. I could almost feel God’s hand on my shoulder, saying well done, Chris.
With “quirky smiles” still on their faces, the deacons broke the news to me. They said, “Chris, you know that Patty has been saved about 5 times now. Every time a church goes over there to take her food, she accepts the gospel.” I told them they were wrong because nobody had shared the gospel as good me. (lol)
The next morning, while still glowing in my own piety, Patty called again. I talked to her in the proper pastoral tone, encouraged her in her decision, and answered one last question. “Brother Chris, thank you for the food yesterday, but I just want to let you know that I like tea, and you didn’t put any tea in there. Could you bring me some tea?” It was at that point that my Theology shifted to reality, and my higher calling descended to flat ground. Yes, it is true that God grants grace to sinners, and that he blesses abundantly, but at that moment, I decided that God didn’t deliver tea. Neither did I. Patty, you’re going to have to get your own tea.
As we investigate our Theology of Christian Service, we will look at 4 key questions that will help us connect Biblical truth with a real-life ministry.
- Does the “free grace” of salvation lead to bad conduct?
- What if someone is saved, but does no good works? Are they saved?
- Do we use our gifts, abilities, and talents to build up “a church”, or “the church”?
- If our greatest motivation of service is love, what does love mean? Meeting needs, or meeting wants?
