Church: Every Member Matters Here

After Covid, most of us realize the benefits of being part of a fellowship of believers (online or in-person), including a sense of belonging, reduced stress & isolation, encouragement at challenging times via prayer, discovering our divine purpose, & growing & developing a stronger faith walk.

But what if we tweaked our perspective and saw our faith walk as a two-way street? Instead of only asking “what it can do for me?” how about wondering how Christian fellowship could also be a way to bless others? 

In today’s passage, Paul makes a persuasive argument about the value of Christian community. I recall the worship bulletin from my childhood church, First United Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas. On the front page it listed the Pastors & Ministers of our church. Below the word, Pastors, it listed our 3 clergy. Below the word Ministers was the phrase, “All the members of our church.” That was an important message!

Bulletin note: Church bulletins were often finished late on Friday by a harried secretary after the Pastor changed the sermon title for a 3^rd time. They were always vulnerable to less helpful typos & bloopers like: “Our Pastor is asking the ladies of the congregation to drop off their girdles at his office on Friday for this weekend’s pancake feed.”

So, just how might we serve as ministers to our fellow believers? Let’s consider a few quick examples:

I recall several years ago a young person was wavering in her commitment to church wondering, “Was it really necessary or even needed?” She said her faith in the church was gently nudged back on the path to being restored when she walked out of worship with an elderly parishioner who was using a walker. My friend asked the older woman where she was parked. The older lady said, “Oh, I can’t drive anymore. I’m just waiting for my cab to come & pick me up.” My friend learned that this elderly lady took a cab to & from church every Sunday because she couldn’t imagine the dreariness of going an entire week without worshipping God. Sometimes, our mere presence can minister to others.

Bulletin Note: “Our choir is performing a special concert after today’s worship service. If you need to heave, please exit quietly through the door on the left-hand side.”

Or perhaps we are already part of a small group. We might be tempted to opt out of the gathering, because we have a lot to do & it’s been a hectic week. But what if that evening a member of the group would share that they had just lost their job? What if you had experienced a period of “joblessness” earlier in your career & this could be your opportunity to bless a fellow believer with wise counsel & uplifting hope? Sometimes, our unique life experiences can be a ministry to others.

Bulletin Note: “The ladies of our church are collecting your favorite soup recipes. Please write them legibly on a note card & include an antidote.”

Or maybe we’re reluctant to attend a Bible Study because it’s covering the Parable of the Prodigal Son & we are thinking, “I’ve covered this before” or “I probably won’t get much out of it.” But what if a new attendee is struggling with feeling distant from God or feeling unworthy to be loved by God? Sharing in a robust discussion of the Father’s unbelievably forgiving love in this parable might be incredibly reassuring to this believer & help him seek God with confidence. Sometimes we can minister to others by providing illumination for their walk with God.

Bulletin Note: “Pastor Smith offered brief remarks at the Prayer Breakfast, much to the delight of the audience.”

Being a minister for Christ doesn’t necessarily require a degree or credentials. Sometimes, it just entails a heart for God, a listening ear, or a passion to be a blessing to one of God’s children on their faith journey. I hear the compensation plan is heavenly.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m intrigued by this Bulletin Note: “A church-wide Hymn Sing will be held in the park across the street from the church tonight at 7:00 p.m. Bring along a blanket & be ready to sin!”