Each year, we pastors have to give a report to our conference on the work the church is doing to serve to God. The mission efforts in our community and around the world must be documented and brought forward.

I view this as tooting our horn or bragging. I dislike doing this very much. Most of the time I do not document and have to scramble and search my memory.

Every year, this requirement makes me think of James 4:6.

I prefer to remain humble and simply do what we can and move on to the next service to our God. There are personal things I do for the church that I do not and will not disclose to anyone. I kind of view it as the HIPAA law. What I do in God’s name to help someone else is not anyone’s business.

The church is not a business; our purpose is to serve God’s people. Christ taught us to love our God with all our soul, heart, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Even I as a pastor sometimes need help. Giving from the heart without wanting recognition is a true attribute of a disciple of Christ. Watching the glory on someone’s grateful face is far greater than any award. We as Christians serve from the inside.