“We are not called to help people. We are called to follow Jesus, in whose service we learn who we are and how we are to help and be helped.” STANLEY HAUERWAS AND WILLIAM H. WILLIMON

We serve people by entering into a relationship of love and mutual commitment.

In the early stages servanthood may be best seen when we are willing to adjust to the local cultural patterns, including learning the language. Jesus came into our human context Un L 14), adjusted to the Jewish culture (Lk 2:52) and lived among us so that when the time was right he would accomplish the redemption of all who would believe. This, of course, is task effectiveness. Jesus served us exquisitely in each of these three areas, suggesting that in the same way we can be a servant to others.

I believe that most people going overseas are quite well equipped in task effectiveness; that is, they are technically competent to do the job because most schools and workshops focus on job skills.

What could missionaries do to more effectively minister the gospel of Christ in your culture?

“Missionaries could more effectively minister the gospel of Christ if they did not think they were so superior to us.”

Good intentions are insufficient when entering another culture. We must also be equipped with the knowledge and competencies to function skillfully

Servanthood is a conscious effort to choose one direction and one set of values over another. There is no mystery here. The basic premise is that we have a model of true servanthood in Christ, but we must follow him in his humble servant role, not in his Lord and Christ roles (chap. 3).

“To hold to a doctrine or an opinion with the intellect alone is not to believe it. A man’s real belief is that which he lives by.” GEORGE MCDONALD

When God chose to connect with humans, he did so as a servant. It was a most unlikely way to connect, for servants are usually invisible. They wear white uniforms, perform lowly tasks, remain largely silent and, if effective, seem not to be there. People look past them and rarely acknowledge them until needed for a chore. Their rights are few, their power negligible and their status as the dust.

Cross-cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility (Duane Elmer)