Liz Daye, Chris Lee, Amy Ickes, and Dianne Garcia: Roundtable on The Spiritual Discipline of Serving

This is where you can find my wonderful guests! They are incredible people.

Liz Daye- linktr.ee/Lizadaye, https://www.threads.net/@lizadaye

Dianne Garcia- rocaderefugiosatx.org

Amy Ickes- https://www.threads.net/@aymiejoi

Chris Lee- https://www.threads.net/@chrisj.lee

Summary

In this conversation, Jon Pyle and his guests discuss the spiritual discipline of service. They explore topics such as finding the right fit for serving, the tension between individualistic and collectivist approaches to service, and the importance of serving without expectations. They also touch on the challenges of serving in the disability community and the need for leaders to create spaces where people feel welcome and loved. In this part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the tension between serving and receiving in the church. They talk about the importance of allowing people to receive and be served, as well as the need for balance and rest. They also highlight the negative effects of consumer-driven church culture and the pressure to constantly be serving. The speakers emphasize the need for leaders to listen to the needs and whispers of their congregation and create a healthy culture that encourages people to serve in a healthy and whole way. They also discuss the importance of subverting expectations and being present to the needs of the community. The conversation explores the concept of service within the context of the church and beyond. It touches on the importance of recognizing the humanity of others and meeting their needs, the subversive nature of Christianity, and the need to reframe spiritual disciplines as communal experiences. The speakers also discuss the role of personal relationship with Jesus in American Christianity, the need for balance and rest in service, and the importance of developing a posture of service that allows for both giving and receiving.

Takeaways

Finding the right fit for serving involves starting somewhere, even if it's a small task, and being open to trying new things.

Service should be rooted in joy and passion, but there are also times when we need to do things that make us uncomfortable or that simply need to be done.

In collectivist communities, there can be pressure to serve and expectations that everyone should contribute. However, it's important to create spaces where people feel welcome and loved, regardless of their ability to serve.

Leaders should be mindful of not pigeonholing people and should take the time to get to know individuals and their passions and gifts.

Service is a deeply human act that can transform both the giver and the receiver, and it should be done with abundant generosity and without expectations. There is a tension between serving and receiving in the church, and it is important to allow people to receive and be served.

Balance and rest are crucial in the context of serving and being served.

Consumer-driven church culture can be detrimental, and there is a need to create a healthy culture that encourages people to serve in a healthy and whole way.

Leaders should listen to the needs and whispers of their congregation and be present to their needs.

Subverting expectations and being aware of the needs of the community are important in creating a healthy church culture. Service starts with recognizing the humanity of others and meeting their needs.

Christianity is subversive and pushes against our worst impulses as humans.

Spiritual disciplines should be reframed as communal experiences.

The focus on personal relationship with Jesus in American Christianity has influenced the idea of individual spirituality rather than community.

Leaders in the church should set an example of balanced service, rest, and grace.

Developing a posture of service allows for both giving and receiving.

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