The Dream of Serving

 I dream of a church where every person knows who God called them to be.

 —Chris Hodges 

      When my brother and I were around 6 or 7 years-old, the pastor decided that we would be good acolytes. I’m not sure of my initial reaction to the opportunity, but what we found most annoying about the role was the requirement that we would sit on the front pew throughout the entire worship service!  It always seemed there were more children and youth in the Sunday school classes than I ever recalled participating in the worship service. It also doesn’t seem that we ever had to share serving as acolytes with any other children. I don’t even remember who were the children who eventually replaced us. However, what I recall most fondly was the realization that we had a role in the service—we had a job to do and if we weren’t there, I couldn’t imagine who would do it.  I felt really important!

   What have been some of your favorite ways to serve in the church? Who are the people who aspired to assume your role and what are some of the things you’ve said to encourage them? My mother was the church pianist and she eventually became the organist. My father was one of the Sunday school teachers and he served as the Sunday school superintendent. As a child and as a youth, I had no idea that there were positions on committees of the church. I was an adult before I ever really thought about the management of the church. It never had occurred to me that someone had to be concerned about maintaining the lawn, the HVAC system,  or the appliances.  

     One of the roles that I always wanted, but never held, was that of treasurer or comptroller. As a child, I admired the teenagers who collected the offerings from the Sunday school classes and the youth who awarded the banners for the highest giving and largest attendance in the classes each week. Each week, someone was selected from each class to summarize the Sunday school lesson.  While these were somewhat awkward moments, it was considered an honor to be able to recall all the summaries that were offered each week.  Although the point wasn’t obvious, it required us to pay close attention and it helped us to offer critiques of those making presentations. It also gave the adults an opportunity to become more familiar with the children and youth of the church.  

     One of my fellow pastors, Eddie Rester, loves to say ‘the church is at its best when everyone has a place to serve.’ Imagine how much better the church will be when everyone is enthusiastic about serving and inviting others to serve. In his book, “What’s Next?” Chris Hodges notes the enormous benefit of effective church teams. An effective team functions well and inspires others by the joy of Christ that they reflect. Even more, we all know both the exhilaration and the exasperation of being selected or being overlooked. In the church, there is a place and a role for everyone.  

       Later this month, we’ll all have a chance to participate on the team of welcoming people to the church and sharing the love of Christ as we decorate our trunks, distribute candy and literature and invite people to participate in the ministries of the church. You’re on the team and there’s a role for you that no one else can do. If you’re not sure of your role, the Church’s job is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-13). We’ll see you Sunday and we’re looking forward to you being on the team. 

In Christ,
Jon McCoy