“Willingness to serve is not to be confused with high levels of ‘activity’ in the church. It has become a hallmark of church life today to flood the week with activities – sometimes to such a degree that it becomes impossible for the leaders of the fellowship to find space for the central activities. No, service is not the same as ‘being active.’ Much activity can give our churches a real sense of ‘buzz.’ That can be confused with, but it is not the same as, a real measure of spiritual growth. Service has much more to do with caring and loving than it has to do with merely being busy. So subtle are our sinful hearts that we can be constantly busy but in the process doing little more than serving our own interest. The test? The person who is genuinely busy in the Lord’s work cares nothing about whether they are noticed or not, and whether they gain position in the church or not. For Christ-like servants are always taken up with the interests of others, not with their own.
This is why elderly members can be just as much engaged in service as those who are more active and have more energy – a prayerful life, a listening ear, an open heart, shared wisdom, a short note of encouragement – these are often more fruitful forms of service than being the person who is always leading and being seen to be busy.”
Sinclair Ferguson, Devoted to God’s Church, 145.