Years ago, a lady cleaning out her freezer stumbled upon something unexpected—a turkey buried deep in the back, forgotten for over ten years. She scratched her head, wondering if it was still good to eat. Unsure, she decided to call the turkey company to ask if it was safe for consumption.

The customer service representative reassured her, “Well, if it’s been frozen the whole time, it’s safe to eat, but honestly, it’s going to lack any flavour or quality.”

Hearing that, the lady thought about what to do with it. She didn’t want to waste it but didn’t want to serve it to her family or friends. So, she decided: “I’ll give it to the church.”

The story may seem humorous, but it paints a sobering picture of how we often approach serving the Lord. We often give God our leftovers—our time, energy, and focus that are stale, flavourless, and forgotten at the bottom of the priority list.

Do We Accept Sub-Standards in Serving God?

While the church's work relies on volunteers, this does not mean we lower our standards of service. Like the lady with the turkey, it’s tempting to justify giving what’s easy, convenient, or leftover. But is that what God deserves?

The Bible is clear: God deserves our best. In Malachi 1:8, God confronts the Israelites for offering imperfect sacrifices, saying, “And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favourably?”

If we wouldn’t accept sub-par effort in our professional or personal lives, why would we offer it to God?

What We Accept

1. We Accept That It May Take Time

We understand that growth takes longer as volunteers. Not everyone has the luxury of full-time ministry, and we are often learning as we go. But taking time doesn’t mean accepting substandards. Instead, it’s about committing to the process and remaining faithful to improving.

2. We Accept That Mistakes Will Happen

No one is perfect, and mistakes are part of serving. However, mistakes aren’t an excuse for carelessness. We accept mistakes in the context of effort and growth, not laziness or indifference.

3. We Accept Limited Resources

Every ministry faces limitations—time, finances, and personnel. But God doesn’t need perfection; He needs hearts willing to give their best with what they have (Mark 12:41-44).


What We Will Not Accept


1. Mediocrity

Like the company told the woman about her turkey, mediocrity is “safe,” but it lacks flavor. Mediocrity in ministry shows a lack of passion, preparation, and reverence. We will not settle for “good enough” when serving the King of Kings.

2. Leftovers

Giving God only what’s left over—our time, energy, and talents—dishonours Him. He deserves the first and the best, not the scraps.

3. Complacency

Ministry isn’t a static role; it’s a living, growing act of worship. We won’t accept an unwillingness to learn, adapt, or improve. Growth requires effort and intentionality.

4. Selfishness: “What’s in It for Me?”

Volunteering is not about personal gain or recognition. When serving, the focus must always be on glorifying God and advancing His Kingdom—not advancing ourselves. If it bears the name of the Lord, it should represent the very best. Selfishness undermines the spirit of servanthood and distracts from the greater purpose.

Why Excellence Matters

Excellence isn’t about perfection; it’s about heart. It’s about doing the best with what we have, knowing that God deserves nothing less. Excellence:

• Honors God: Reflects His worthiness.

• Inspires Others: Encourages those we serve and serve alongside.

• Represents the Gospel Well: A church striving for excellence testifies of God’s greatness to the world.

Bring the Best Turkey

The Lady’s Forgotten Turkey might seem like a funny story, but it mirrors a dangerous mindset many of us adopt when serving the Lord. Just like she didn’t want to give it to her family but thought it was “good enough” for the church, we must ask ourselves: Am I giving God my best, or just what’s convenient?

God deserves the freshest, most flavorful “turkey” of our lives—the best of our time, talents, and efforts. We accept that as volunteers, things might take longer, and mistakes will happen, but we will never accept mediocrity, leftovers, or selfishness. The work of God is too important, and He is too worthy for us to give anything less than our best.

Together, let’s embrace the mindset of excellence, knowing that with God’s help, every effort counts for eternity.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV)