As the Gospel and Epistle writers adapted the term, they used it in a broad sense for all kinds of spiritual service. Based on what Jesus said, they identified following Christ with serving Him. Spiritual service is the major emphasis of the Christian life. Anything we do in obedience to God's Word is service. In that sense we're all called to full time ministry. In no sense do deacons serve and everyone else watches. There isn't a leadership level made up of elders and pastors, a service level made up of deacons, and a spectator level made up of all other believers. There is no audience in the church. We've all been called to submit ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ.

All of us are called as servants of Christ and we have been sent as ambassadors to the world. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” He has called us into spiritual service. We serve Him by obeying the Word of God, following the promptings of the Spirit of God, coming under the authority of the church, and meeting the needs of those around us. It's one thing to say, "I'm proud to be able to serve my country," or "I'm proud to have served this great cause." But that doesn't come close to being able to say "I have been called into service by the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ Himself." That is our high and holy calling and the vocation to which we are called.   2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 4:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:12