A WAY TO SERVE
1 Corinthians 12:12–24
Are you up for a personal challenge? Grab a sheet of paper and a pencil and make a list of all the areas you believe God has gifted you to serve in the local church. It could be teaching, administration, hospitality or anything else that comes to mind. Now, make another list of all the things you are not gifted in.
It is safe to say that your second list should be longer than the first. This fact should be both liberating and encouraging. No one in the church is called or equipped to serve in every facet of church ministry. Usually, the areas of service you enjoy most align with your gifts and talents.
Consequently, serving where you are neither called nor gifted will end in frustration and futility and hurt the overall mission of the church. Everyone can do something. If we all take our “somethings” and gather them, everything that is needed will get accomplished.
God’s intent is for Christians to work and serve together. (12–13)
There is an old joke that Baptists can’t dance. But imagine you are working on a project that requires a hammer. You miss the nail and instead crush the end of your thumb. You will then place your thumb in your mouth, grimace and begin to jump around on one leg. You may not call that dancing but for a Baptist, it’s close.
The point of that illustration is to show how your entire body will react to pain from something as small as your thumb. It should be the same in your local church. When one member is suffering, we should all share the hurt. When one member rejoices, all celebrate. There is no part of your body that is jealous of another. It should be the same in the church.
God has given every believer a specific role and responsibility in the body of Christ. (14–18)
While my role as a pastor causes me to be more visible than others, it does not mean I am more important. If you do not believe that, see how long your church can go without nursery workers, custodians, maintenance workers or kitchen ministers. When a church works in unison toward a common goal, amazing things can happen.
Jesus, the Head of the Church, should be leading all of these individuals, gifts and efforts. Only Christ has the ability to place people where He wants them for maximum effectiveness. Are you fulfilling your role?
God has made every believer a necessary part of the body of Christ. (19–24)
Embrace your role and ministry in the body of Christ. The more time you spend comparing your gifts to others, the less time you have to be used by Jesus.
God has a place for you in the church you attend. No role is unimportant to Him.
It has been said that the greatest ability is availability. Do you see an area in your church that needs attention? What part of the ministry in your church is being neglected? What if God is leading you to do something about it?
Whether you are a thumb, elbow or leg in the body of Christ, get to work!
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
