Years ago in a large church congregation, the following letter was circulated among the members and attenders:
Our church membership … 1400
Nonresident members … 75
Balance left to do the work … 1325
Elderly who have done their share … 25
Balance left to do the work … 1300
Sick and shut-ins … 25
Balance left to do the work … 1275
Members who do not give … 350
Christmas and Easter members … 300
Balance left to do the work … 625
Members who are overworked … 300
Balance left to do the work … 325
Members with alibis … 200
Balance left to do the work … 125
Members too busy with other things … 123
Balance left to do the work … 2
Just you and me, friend, and you had better get busy, because it’s too much for me!1
As I read this, I found it humorously exaggerated but mostly true. Sadly, a lot of churches struggle to find those who will volunteer to help with the work. In this fictitious letter, 300 were “overworked” and 2 were left to do the rest of the work. That left 1,098 who could be doing something but weren’t. Roughly 80% were inactive members/attenders.
A number of years ago around Thanksgiving time, we recognized those of our church family who are currently serving in some capacity. The numbers were staggering! Most were doing multiple jobs. The majority of those who weren’t actively serving were inactive due to health/age related issues. However, when they were capable, they had served.
I write this to commend my church family as well as to let them know that this devotional isn’t written with them in mind. We have a serving church. However, I believe we ALL need a reminder of why we serve and the importance of that service.
Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” ALL the saints are to be “perfected” and ALL the saints are to be serving.
Every child of God needs to find a place of service in the local church. We need to use our gifts, talents, skills, and abilities to benefit the body as a whole. As we serve, we grow and learn from the Lord.
We are getting close to Sunday and many will find a place to serve. Nowhere does the Scriptures promote the sitting Christian. We are to be serving Christians. Find that place to serve and do it as unto the Lord.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
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1https://bible.org/illustration/ephesians-411-15
