Where exactly should we serve?

Thinking today about service. Purposefully avoiding where possible the word "ministry," it's so institutional, and limits us.  No criticisms intended here, just observations.

I know many believers who have a deep and active faith relationship with God, but don't serve in their churches.

I know many ministry professionals have a deep and active faith relationship with God, and spend all their time in church-related activities.

I know many believers who serve in their church, and are active in the community – outside of the church – volunteering in nonprofits.

I just can't help but think that serving in the church is not enough, but it's outside where we have the greatest impact.  Inside the church, the gifts we were given – the pastors, teachers, evangelists – were given for the building up of the body, to do his work – so we can grow in Christ and serve. (Eph 4:11-13).

The church seems to project the expectation that all of a believer's activities must be church-related, but that's missing the point. The gospel is just part of God's story, and it always has been – it's in moving beyond the milk, beyond the cake – where our roots grow deep into God's marvelous love, where we can break out of the confines of piety and serve in the world we live in, in the fulness of the redeemed relationship we have with our Father.

Some are called to serve inside the church. Some are called to serve outside the church, and some are called to serve in both places. Where are you called? Regardless, we're called to serve.