To Serve Rather Than To Be Served

Jun 4, 2026 | by Rev. Jennifer Porto

Greetings APUMC Family,

I was told once that there are only a handful of days in life that you know you will remember forever – the kind of days when you will remember how you felt, who was there, what you were wearing, and where you stood when it happened.

I believe Monday will be one of those days.

As many of you know, on Monday evening I will be commissioned as a Provisional Elder in The United Methodist Church. As I write this, the service is only 103 hours and 49 minutes away (not that I am counting!), and I am filled with excitement, gratitude, and awe.

During the service, I will be reminded that I am called "to serve rather than to be served," to proclaim the faith of the Church, and to place the concerns of God above all else. Then I will be asked a series of questions about my faith, my call, and my commitment to ministry.

My responses will be…

• “I do so believe."
• "I do so believe and confess."
• “I am so persuaded, by God’s grace.”
• "I will, with the help of God."
• "I will, by God's grace."

The more I reflect on those words, the more I realize they have been the refrain of my entire life.

Again and again, through joy and struggle, certainty and doubt, strength and sickness, God has been faithful. These are not merely responses to questions that I will be asked at the Commissioning Service. They are a testimony to how God has carried me to this moment. They tell the story of a God whose grace has carried, sustained, and called me. They remind me that whatever ministry I have shared and whatever faithfulness I have offered have never been mine alone but have always been made possible by the grace of God.

One of my favorite observations comes from Henri Nouwen, who wrote that "our deepest vocation is to be witnesses to the glimpses of God we have been allowed to catch." I have carried that insight with me for a long time. At its heart, ministry is not about having all the answers. It is about paying attention to God's presence, helping others recognize what God is already doing in the world, and encouraging them to join in.

Throughout my life, I have caught countless glimpses of God's grace – through ups and downs, through family and friends, through mentors and congregations, and through ordinary moments that revealed God's extraordinary faithfulness. I invite you to consider where you, too, have encountered God's presence and faithfulness in your life. Perhaps even share those glimpses with someone else! We never quite know how the story of God's faithfulness in our lives might become the very encouragement someone else needs.

I say all of this to say that my overwhelming feeling today is one of gratitude. Gratitude for a God whose grace has never let go of me. Gratitude for a Church that has nurtured and affirmed my call. And gratitude for this congregation, whose love, encouragement, and prayers have helped and continue to help shape me into the pastor I am becoming.

I would be honored to share Monday’s unforgettable moment with you! You can find more details below or feel free to give me a call. If you are unable to attend in person, the service will also be livestreamed. A link will be available on the homepage of the Alabama-West Florida Conference website at the time of the service.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. It is truly a gift to be your Associate Pastor!

By God's grace and for God’s glory,

Jennifer