At Magdalen Road Church, we believe in “every member ministry”. Ministry simply means service – as Christians we are called to serve God’s purposes and to serve one another. God has given Magdalen Road Church a massive resource of talents, gifts, energy and creativity, and we want to ensure that we unleash that potential, turning an audience into an army, spectators into participants. We believe that each person has a role to play as we seek to live life together and reach out to those around us with the gospel. God has brought you to this church for a purpose and we would love you to discover that purpose as you become more involved in the church community. It is our hope and prayer that you will find the areas of service that best suit your gifts and personality, that others may be blessed through you and that you may find fulfilment.

Every believer is a minister

Not every Christian is a pastor, but every Christian is called into ministry. God calls all believers to minister in the world and in the church. Being part of God’s church is not a spectator sport – he has drafted all of us into service as we follow Christ’s example: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45).
 
The Bible teaches that:
    ♦ you were created for service (Eph 2:10)
    ♦ you are called into service (1 Peter 2:9-10)
    ♦ you are gifted for service (1 Peter 4:10)
    ♦ you are needed for service (1 Cor 12:27)
    ♦ you will be rewarded according to your service (Col 3:23-24)

Every ministry is important

Some areas of service may be more public than others but all are equally valuable. There is no such thing as an “insignificant” ministry or unimportant people in God’s church. We want to emphasise and recognise all of our ministries equally. In fact it is often the seemingly small or unseen ministries that make the most difference:

God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be… The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. 1 Cor 12:18-22

We are dependent upon one another

A body can only function properly when all its parts are working properly. Likewise, the church can only function properly and reach its full potential when every part is working together properly. No ministry can function independently of the others. For example, a teaching ministry will be useless without those serving in setting up the room or operating the sound desk. And since no single ministry can accomplish what the church is called to do, we must depend on and cooperate with each other. We need each other. Like a jigsaw, all the pieces are needed to see the picture. You are needed, and you need others.

God made us all different

God made us all different – different gifts, abilities, interests, personality and experiences. As a result we are all suited to different areas of service. Who God made you to be determines what he intends you to do. At Magdalen Road Church, we want you to find the areas of service that best suit you – the role that fits who you are and in which you can use the gifts, skills and experience that God has given you. It is our prayer that you will find satisfaction, fulfilment and joy as you discover the role God has designed you for here.

How should I serve?

Some of you may have served in other churches and have a good sense of where you would like to serve at Magdalen Road Church. But some of you may have no idea what areas to get involved in. We are committed to helping you in this and would encourage you to talk to people serving in different areas, discuss it with the elders, and try out different areas before you commit yourself to any of them.
 
If you would like to explore how you could serve the church at this time, please get in touch with the Church Office.