How Can I Best Serve?
Hello and welcome! You have accepted a call to serve the congregation of Step 11 at Sunday Services or at other times, and we want you to know that we value and greatly appreciate your talent, your service, and you.
This ministry is determined to create an energy and environment conducive to the greatest possible spiritual growth for all. Together, those who are in service manifest this energy, provided that certain agreements are adhered to. Over the years we have come to understand what works and why. The result is a set of guideposts or “BE-attitudes” that enrich everyone’s service experience and achieve the intended purpose.
We want you to enjoy your experience serving Step 11, while at the same time maintaining the vision this ministry has been guided toward. You may have some great ideas for serving us, which, at this time, are not yet within the scope of our vision. Conversely, we may have some great ideas for your service that would not fill your need to serve. In this, we honor you and ask that you honor us. Bring forth your ideas as we will ours, and we'll see what evolves in time as we grow this church together.
If anything is unclear to you, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call us. Summary of Serving:
DO:
1) BE-Prepared
2) BE-Responsible
3) BE-Neutral
4) BE-On Time
5) BE-In Service
6) BE-Patient
7) BE-Here 'Til The Job's Done
8) BE-Informative
9) BE-FunDON'T:
1) Over book yourself with service
(We want you burning with Spirit, not burning out!)
1) BE-Prepared
When you agree to serve at a function, create a reminder for yourself so you remember to show up. The success of any event is depending upon you. The unexplained absence of an expected person unbalances the whole, creates an unsettled energy, and reduces the spiritual effectiveness of the environment.
Think before you leave your house to come here: Is there something I need to bring? Am I dressed appropriately for the service I am doing (an apron for food preparation, jeans if I’m cleaning anything, nicer clothes if I’m participating in the service, etc.)? Am I supposed to connect with anyone beforehand? Call us if you are unsure.2) BE-Responsible
Being responsible means honoring your commitment to serve, but it also means communicating with us. If you, for any reason, are not going to be available to serve when expected, call us as soon in advance of your service date as possible. This will give us comfortable time to find someone else.
If you show up to serve but are having a serious personal concern that renders you unable to serve, by all means, let us know! Under those conditions, we would rather you spend your church time being fed spiritually. We will adapt to the situation as best we can.3) BE-Neutral
Step 11 supports you in your personal endeavors 110%. Your right to political or social activism on your own time remains completely unchallenged, and we encourage you to pursue your concern, whether or not we agree with your causes or opinions.
However, referring to Tradition 5: Step 11 has no opinion on outside political or social issues...our focus remains entirely on our primary spiritual purpose..., when you serve at any Step 11 function, refrain from wearing buttons or attire with political or social statements, or from communicating political or social opinions.
Even though Tradition 5 clearly absolves Step 11 itself from anyone’s personal beliefs and attitudes, a person in service, wearing or communicating political or social opinions, unwittingly creates the misperception that the church takes a particular stand on the issue. In service, you are the face of Step 11; they see you, but they may not read or hear the tradition for weeks, if at all.
This happened once when a button was worn by a greeter that said Men just don't get it. Imagine how our male congregants felt being greeted this way. Better yet, imagine how an offended newcomer reacted.
Tradition 8 states: Step 11 recognizes and honors all human diversity... Serving Step 11 means creating a welcoming and spiritually productive environment for anyone who comes here to worship. While in service at Step 11, BE-Neutral.4) BE-On Time
Timing is the most important part of preparing a spiritual environment. Though your job may be simple, short or easy, remember that your presence is more than just your job. You add your unique particular energy to that of the entire service team. When everyone is here as we begin the process of set-up, the focus is strong and people mesh with one another. Anyone showing up late adds a "foreign" energy field, and the comfortable rhythm that has been established becomes disquieted and unfocused.
Therefore, arrive here at the time we request. If you are an “I need to say hi and hug everyone first” type of person (as most of us are!), show up 10 minutes in advance so you can connect, socialize briefly, and still be available and on task at the requested time.5) BE-In Service
While in service, you are a cornerstone of the congregation’s spiritual experience. This is the time you put your needs and problems aside in order that others may be served and feel nurtured. Avoid getting into heavy or lengthy conversations, or sharing details of your life with others during the duration of your service, even if others invite you to do so. This means listen and nod as others share with you, and gently excuse yourself when your service is needed elsewhere.
Serving means being available at all times. If need be, explain this to whoever is attempting to engage you in conversation. For example: You are a greeter, and a friend of yours who is upset comes up to you saying, I need to talk to you right now! You reply, “I really want to hear you, but I’m in service right now and others are relying on me to be available. Let's meet right after church and I can give you my full attention.” Usually this will suffice. If they persist, you persist, too. They say But I'm hurting right now and I need you now! (Spiritual dis-ease feels and acts desperate, but the situations usually are not. The best we can do at these times is to set reasonable boundaries. The last thing a desperate person needs are those around them becoming unfocused and emotionally attached to their problem.) You might respond, "I see that you are very upset and I want to help, but others here are relying on me to continue what I'm doing right now. This is a safe place to be upset. Stay for the service and I'll be with you immediately following." If this still doesn't work, get one of the ministers. Anyone who is that desperate needs more than a friend to talk to.
Remember Tradition 1: Our common welfare comes first; personal progress for the individual depends upon the strength of Step 11 as a whole. Your service strengthens the whole. Your absence (physical or mental) weakens it for all. Unless there is a real emergency (an immediate moment between life and death), there is a more effective time and way to care for individuals who need personal attention.6) BE-Patient
If you have a pressing personal concern that needs ministerial attention, but is not a life or death emergency and will not affect your ability to serve, wait until your ministers can serve you at a more appropriate and effective time. We'll do the best we can to be available to you at some point after the event. Or call us during the week and make an appointment to see one of us.
We want to be able to give you our undivided attention, and cannot do so while we have other ministerial functions to perform. Putting on a church function takes almost all of our focus and energy, and we need sufficient time before the service begins to prepare spiritually, mentally, and even sometimes physically (restroom needs, etc.). If you or we attempt to address your concerns at this time, we all become distracted and unfocused, and unable to do the best job serving the whole.
BE-patient and concentrate on serving others. Service to others often heals the very thing that's ailing us!7) BE-Here 'Til The Job's Done
Stay until your service is completed. For example, if you have agreed to set up and take down the refreshment table, expect to stay until everything is cleaned up, food is put away, dishes are washed, etc. Assume you will be one of the last to leave. Each service description will specify the length and times of your service.8) BE-Informative
If something’s not working, let us know. If you have a better idea, share it! Don’t assume it has to be any certain way. However, for new ideas that are not immediately necessary, wait until the present event is over. We are so focused on our ministerial duties, we cannot properly consider any changes at that time. Call us during office hours, or write us a note and put it in the prayer request box. We will contact you for further clarification, discuss it with others and get back to you with our decision within 2 weeks.9) BE-Fun
Yes, there are guidelines, and guidelines are like the speed limit and white line on a road. They serve to keep the car from running into a ditch, but the car has its own personality. With air-conditioning, AM/FM Stereo Cassette, CD player and power steering, the ride is downright fun!
Service is for you and your natural human need to generate life in all things. The by-product is that others reap the benefits. Have fun, and remember that your ministers are much more flexible than they may appear while working. To us, nothing other than a life or death emergency is as important as your spiritual experience.
Focused service is the highest form of prayer, and we have found that individuals who serve gain the most and quickest spiritual growth. Always see service (church or otherwise) as a privilege available to you. Give thanks and expect none in return (not likely to happen!). It's an attitude that's good for whatever ails you!
Thank you once again (see, all you had to do is read this and you're being thanked!). We look forward to many moments of "crisis" with you as we serve this congregation together. What we mean by "crisis" is that there's usually something that teases the perfection of all endeavors. The Chinese write the word "crisis" by combining two symbolic characters: one means "danger" and the other "opportunity." Serving is learning to overcome the unexpected pitfalls with grace, humor and love as we create fantastic opportunities for one another to experience God's grace.
Once again, thank you!, and God bless you.
