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Discussion Jumpstarter

Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Anabaptist Perspectives / I Became a Social Worker to Serve the Church — Elizabeth Vendley
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Question 3
Elizabeth repeatedly asks, “Is the Lord putting me here? Or have I put myself here?”; what practical ways can a Christian test motives in helping work (including church ministry) so it’s truly an “outpouring of faith” and not identity-building or savior-complex compassion?
Another way to ask: How can a Christian check whether they are helping because God led them, or because they want to feel important? What are practical ways to test your motives in ministry or service work?
Discussion Jumpstarter

Direct Answer
Based on the transcript, she tests motives by asking whether her service is obedience to God’s sending or self-driven “I want to help these people,” and by continually returning to Scripture as her “measuring stick.” A practical test, then, is whether we can serve with humility, self-awareness, and submission to Christ rather than needing to feel heroic or needed.

Support from Transcript:
  • She says a key question is, “is the Lord putting me here? Or have I put myself here?”
  • She contrasts motives: “I’m not just here because I want to go and help these people. It’s the Lord sending me there.”
  • She frames her work as “an outpouring of my faith,” not just altruism.
  • She says, “I go with the Bible. That’s my measuring stick.”
  • She links dilemmas to self-examination: “Look in at yourself, know what you are, know where you are before you be pouring out on other people.”
Discussion Follow-ups If God re-assigned your role or removed visible “success,” would you still serve? How can leaders build accountability that keeps ministry from becoming self-identity?
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