Resources that equip us to serve

Grow Ministries offers resources including Equipping Sheets, which are based on its guiding principles for intergenerational ministry and have been designed to encourage and inspire.

They provide practical information and ideas to assist in creating a culture that nurtures faith for life.

One of Grow’s equipping sheets is ‘Encouraging acts of service’. As we are told in the gospels, including in John 13 when Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, our Lord calls us to show love and serve one another. We grow in faith and discipleship by engaging in acts of service. These acts require us to focus on the needs of others.

Serving together builds connections

Family life provides a foundational setting for developing a life of service. Children and adults are more likely to have a strong growing faith when their family serves others together.

Congregations which nurture young people and allow them to be involved in serving opportunities find that they stay engaged in the church. When we serve together it develops community. Acts of service are a great way to create and develop intergenerational relationships.

‘Encouraging acts of service’ is at www.growministries.org.au/grow-resources/equipping-sheets-2Ways to serve in all settings

Grow also has a GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) Serving Together resource which features ideas for ways to serve in different settings.

Ways to serve our church family

• Help lead worship, read the Bible, lead prayers or be in the band.
• Volunteer for a church spring clean or working bee.
• Make encouraging cards for those who are sick or sad.
• Help an older member of the congregation with gardening.
• Bake some biscuits for a homebound member.

Ways to serve our community

• Donate unused clothes to a community op shop.
• Invite a friend and their family over for a meal.
• Visit residents in your local care home to sing or play games.
• Support special projects and teachers at your school.

Ways to serve our world

• Donate to Australian Lutheran World Service for their ongoing aid work overseas at alws.org.au
• Encourage and support those who carry out mission work overseas through LCA International Mission – contact lca.org.au/international-mission
• Write to your sponsor child or consider getting a sponsor child as a family and church community.