Definitions

Here are a few of the terms that will help you understand the heart and passion of Serving Strong:

• Serving Strong - effectively fulfilling a calling without prematurely burning out.
• Servant - anyone, in any career or position who understands that their life and work are a calling by God to serve other people.
• Tentmaker - a servant whose livelihood is derived primarily from the marketplace, as opposed to a church staff person (aka, volunteer or unpaid servant).
• Staffer - a servant whose livelihood is derived primarily from being on staff at a local church or parachurch organization.
• Span of Care - the context within which the Servant serves.  For example, a mother may sense a call to serve her family.  That would be her Span Of Care.  A minister's Span Of Care may be is his congregation, and so on.  It's the group of people the Servant feels called to serve.
• Self Care - those activities that a Servant engages in to keep fresh and on top of their calling.  Without it, the Servant runs the risk of running dry, becoming resentful, and burning out.
• The Moment - the actual times when serving is taking place with the Servant.  An example of a moment is when the executive (with a burden to teach underpriviledged youth how to read) is actually in front of a group of teens teaching.
• The Calling - what the servant is asked by God to do, given the servant's gifts, abilities, context, and opportunities.  In his book, Summoned To Lead, Leonard Sweet writes, "In leadership, hearing a vision is more important than casting one.  Leadership is a 'calling' - a call you respond to, not a position you assume or a role you train for.  The summons could come when you least expect it.  Are you listening?"

Keep checking.  Definitions are added periodically.