Every time I get to see my grandma, we talk about ministry. She loves to hear how things are going at the church I serve and she'll update me on how things are at her church, too. The last time we talked she mentioned how busy I seem to be. And if you follow our church on Facebook, you'd see what she's talking about. It seems like every day there's another way to get involved. This past week, we had a small construction project, a community outreach opportunity, our weekly Bible studies and worship services, and various meetings in preparation for ministry opportunities to come. She's right. We're busy!
But instead of replying as some exhausted pastors must, I got to say, "I'm not doing it alone." So much of the ministry that is done through the church I serve is done by the members. I'm proud to lead a body of believers that see a need in the church or community and take ownership of ministering to that need.
A community member's floor was replaced and our sound booth was remodeled one weekend. And I had very little to do with it. I've been blessed to see first-hand the picture of 1 Corinthians 12 come to life.
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Seeing God's people using their talents for the church and the community has been amazing. When you step back and look at it, you can see the body of Christ come alive as it serves and loves.
It has reminded me of the old sailor's phrase, "All hands on deck." When a ship was in danger of a storm, the captain would call this command, and the crew would rush to the deck and help wherever needed. Not all jobs are glamorous or desirable, but they are all necessary (1 Cor. 12:22).
Brothers and sisters, if your pastors are exhausted or your deacons are overrun, take something off of their plate. Ask how you can help and be ready to take on even the most menial of tasks. If you see a need in the church or in your community, don't call the captain first. Call "all hands on deck." Post about it on Facebook, start a group text message, or express the need to your Sunday School class. Then you will see the body of Christ work and move in incredible ways.
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