“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:3-8
Did you know that the church is the largest volunteer organization in America? That’s right. More volunteer activity goes on in churches in any given week than in any other group on the planet. Preparing communion, cleaning the sanctuary, handing out bulletins, greeting visitors, serving communion, preparing meals for the sick, hospital calls, rides to the doctors, calling on shut-ins, helping in the office, cleaning the grounds, leading Bible studies, praying with others, fixing a car, mowing the grass, feeding the homeless. These are just a few of the myriad of activities supported by volunteers.
But did you also know, that in the average congregation in America it is estimated that barely over twenty percent of the members ever volunteer to do these things? In other words, in any given week, only twenty or so out of every one hundred members actually do volunteer work. What’s wrong with that picture? The Bible tells us that God has given to each believer a spiritual gift for the good of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). In other words, God has formed His church in such a way, that all of its members, working together, will provide all that the church needs to help one another and others and fulfill the great commission to win others to Jesus Christ and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
Now, if you happen to be in that eighty percentile of the church, who come and go and never serve (and only you know for sure), it’s past time for you to use your spiritual gifts for “the common good.” Your church needs your help. Your pastor would be glad to hear from you. Why not give him a call today?
“And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). Maranatha!
Pastor Don
