Christians are called to serve others in many ways, not just within the walls of a church building. Here are some of the key opportunities for Christian service outside of the church:
Serving in the Community
There are countless ways for Christians to serve their local communities outside of the church. Some ideas include:
- Volunteering at homeless shelters or soup kitchens (Matthew 25:35)
- Tutoring underprivileged children or teaching English as a second language (James 1:27)
- Helping at food banks or meal distribution centers (Isaiah 58:10)
- Visiting the elderly in nursing homes (James 1:27)
- Mentoring troubled teens or those in prison (Hebrews 13:3)
- Providing job training for the unemployed (Proverbs 31:20)
- Organizing community clean-up days (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Coaching youth sports teams (1 Timothy 4:8)
Christians can serve their neighborhoods through existing nonprofit organizations or charities, or even initiate their own efforts to meet pressing needs.
Serving in the Workplace
For Christians who work outside the home, our workplaces are prime locations for living out our faith through service to others. Ways we can serve at work include:
- Displaying honesty, integrity, and strong ethics (Colossians 3:23)
- Treating all co-workers with dignity and respect (Philippians 2:3)
- Going above and beyond job expectations (Colossians 3:23)
- Looking out for the interests of customers and clients (Philippians 2:4)
- Being generous with time, resources, and encouragement (2 Corinthians 9:11)
- Speaking words of truth and life (Ephesians 4:15)
- Doing our work excellently as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24)
- Being a peacemaker in times of conflict (Matthew 5:9)
Christians should view their workplaces as a mission field and strive to honor Christ in how they serve those around them on a daily basis.
Serving in Schools
Christian parents already serve their children by supporting their education. But there are also opportunities to serve others through schools, such as:
- Volunteering as a tutor, mentor, or coach
- Leading after-school programs or clubs
- Chaperoning field trips
- Assisting teachers in the classroom
- Providing supplies or food for those in need
- Praying for the campus, leaders, families, and students
Christian teachers and administrators also have unique platforms to serve students, parents, and co-workers through their roles.
Serving Globally
In addition to local service, Christians are called to look beyond their own borders and serve the poor and disadvantaged globally as well. Some ways include:
- Going on short-term mission trips (Acts 1:8)
- Sponsoring children through compassion organizations (James 1:27)
- Donating funds to support overseas ministries (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Writing letters to encourage missionaries (3 John 1:8)
- Praying regularly for believers around the world (1 Thessalonians 5:25)
- Welcoming immigrants and refugees (Leviticus 19:34)
- Fighting injustice that impacts the poor (Proverbs 31:9)
God’s heart is for all nations, and He calls us to join Him in His redemptive work globally.
Serving Online
As internet use has grown, so have opportunities to serve Christ and share the gospel online. Christians can:
- Run a God-honoring blog, podcast, or YouTube channel
- Develop helpful apps and online resources
- Reach people for Christ through social media
- Participate in online mentoring or counseling
- Join Christian forums to provide biblical advice and encouragement
- Support and advocate for biblical values regarding technology
- Create resources to share digitally with the church worldwide
The possibilities online are endless for technologically-savvy Christians to serve and spread the gospel creatively.
Serving in Politics
Christians can also honor God by serving in the arena of politics and government. Examples include:
- Running for political office to be a godly leader
- Working on political campaigns that support biblical values
- Advocating for just laws and policies (Proverbs 29:4)
- Championing creation care efforts in government
- Having an accountable prayer group for politicians
- Educating voters about moral issues and candidates
- Being a voice for the voiceless to those in authority
Politics can often be messy, but Christian character and convictions are needed to uphold what is right in the public sphere.
Serving Family
One of the most overlooked mission fields today is within our own families. We serve our families by:
- Nurturing strong marriages (Ephesians 5:25-33)
- Pursuing close relationships with our children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
- Caring for aging parents and grandparents (1 Timothy 5:4)
- Showing hospitality to extended family (1 Peter 4:9)
- Sharing words of biblical wisdom and encouragement (Proverbs 16:24)
- Making family a top priority over other demands (Deuteronomy 4:9)
- Praying together and doing devotions as a family (Ephesians 6:18)
Our families provide daily opportunities to selflessly serve others as Jesus commands. We must not neglect this vital mission field.
Serving Neighbors
Jesus taught that loving our neighbor as ourselves is second only to loving God (Matthew 22:39). We can serve our neighbors by:
- Introducing ourselves and getting to know them
- Exchanging phone numbers for help in emergencies
- Providing meals when sick or after childbirth
- Helping with yardwork or household repairs
- Lending tools, equipment, or other resources
- Shoveling snow, collecting mail, or watching homes while away
- Giving gifts at Christmas, birthdays, or other occasions
- Extending hospitality and friendship
When we serve our neighbors, we open doors to form relationships and live out the gospel practically where we live.
Serving Fellow Believers
While we serve those outside the church, we must not overlook opportunities to serve fellow Christians as well. We can serve believers by:
- Encouraging those who are struggling or discouraged (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Praying regularly for fellow Christians (Galatians 6:2)
- Giving financially to support others in ministry (Philippians 4:15-16)
- Using our unique gifts to build up the church (1 Peter 4:10)
- Admonishing brothers or sisters straying into sin (James 5:19-20)
- Meeting urgent needs of those in difficult circumstances (Acts 4:34-35)
- Attending church gatherings consistently (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The “one another” commands in Scripture provide a blueprint for how we can serve and strengthen the body of Christ.
Serving Unbelievers
Reaching the lost with God’s love and the message of salvation should be a top priority. Some ideas include:
- Building genuine friendships with unbelievers (Matthew 9:10)
- Looking for unspoken needs we can help meet freely (Galatians 6:10)
- Inviting unbelieving friends to church or Christian events (Luke 14:23)
- Defending and recommending the Christian faith when opportunities arise (1 Peter 3:15)
- Leading an evangelistic Bible study (Matthew 28:19)
- Speaking truth to clear up misconceptions about Jesus (John 14:6)
- Giving an unsaved acquaintance a Bible or gospel tract (Romans 10:17)
Our faithful service and good deeds should attract unbelievers to the light of Christ in us.
Serving Within Our Abilities
God uniquely wired each of us to serve in different ways. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He will direct us to specific areas where we can serve effectively based on the passions, gifts, and experiences He has given us.
A teacher may serve by tutoring students after school. An entrepreneur may serve by providing jobs for the unemployed. A mechanic may serve by fixing single moms’ cars for free. The possibilities are endless!
The key is being faithful with what God has already put in our hands. He will provide more opportunities according to our willingness and abilities He has supplied.
Serving Sacrificially
True Christ-like service requires self-sacrifice and going above and beyond what is convenient or comfortable. Jesus provided the ultimate example by setting aside His rights and literally sacrificing His life to meet our greatest need of redemption (Philippians 2:5-11).
We must ask God to check our motivations and give us His heart of compassion, that we would be eager to serve whenever needs arise – even when it’s painful, inconvenient, or cost-prohibitive to ourselves. This type of radical, selfless service honors God, blesses others, and reflects how Jesus loved.
Serving Boldly
Our human tendency is to shy away from opportunities to serve if they present any risk to our reputation, comfort, or safety. However, boldness frees us to serve in even the most difficult situations, because our ultimate reward comes from God, not men (Daniel 3:16-18).
As we grow in intimacy with Jesus, He gives us supernatural courage to step out in faith, follow His lead, and serve without fear. Then His strength is displayed in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
In a world that needs hope, bold service demonstrates our confidence that God can use willing vessels to accomplish the miraculous.
Serving Together as the Church
Our impact multiplies exponentially when believers unite to serve others together. By each using our diverse gifts, experiences, and resources, we reflect God’s love in powerful ways as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Serve days and collaborative outreach efforts presented under a unified church banner are a compelling witness of Christ’s love to communities. Even more importantly, relationships formed through service become bridges for the gospel to be shared.
The world will know we are Christians by our love – especially when that love is amplified through unified acts of service.
Serving in Everyday Life
More than large, orchestrated efforts, true Christ-honoring service happens through small, everyday acts of compassion. A smile, listening ear, encouraging text, thoughtful deed, or helpful hand can make an eternal impact when empowered by God’s love.
We don’t have to wait for formal service events to willingly help others. As we stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, we can serve spontaneously as needs appear around us. Even simple expressions of care can carry God’s presence and speak hope into desperate lives.
Serving With Pure Motives
Our motivation makes all the difference. Service that flows from improper motives like guilt, pride in martyrdom, or striving for approval is fruitless (1 Corinthians 13:3). We must continually check our hearts and serve out of obedience, gratitude, and Christ-like sacrificial love.
When serving becomes about us, it ceases to truly be service. We must point others to Jesus as the only one worthy of praise, not ourselves. As we decrease and allow God’s love to increase in us, His purity will transform the spirit and fruit of our service as well.
Serving in Dependence on God
On our own, our best efforts to serve fall desperately short of meeting overwhelming needs around us. We are finite human beings with limited resources. Only through God’s supernatural strength and provision can we serve effectively.
Instead of relying on our own plans, gifts, and strength, we must continually turn to God in prayer. As we depend on Him, He will guide us step by step and open doors we could never open ourselves. Abiding in Christ enables us to bear fruit that will last forever (John 15:4-5).
Our service flows out of intimacy with God. Only through walking closely with Him will we find the wisdom, power, and endurance needed to serve well and finish strong.