Everyone Has a Role in the Family of God!

 

In most churches, there are only a handful of people who are in the “limelight”.  These are the ministers and worship leaders who are seen and known by almost everyone.  However, did you ever stop to think how many people work behind the scenes to facilitate a successful and inviting Sunday service?

            Hopefully, when you walk through the doors, there are the greeters who will genuinely welcome you into God’s family.  If you take a few moments to mingle with other believers, you may find your way to the coffee corner where the fresh brew and perhaps some tasty treats await you.  Those are more of the front-line people.  You may not know their names but you’re probably glad they are there.

            Behind the scenes, there are the maintenance people who make sure the lights are on, and that the building temperature is right for the season.  Then, there are the people who work hard all week, cleaning the building and preparing the grounds.  Very few people see them, but we all see and appreciate the results of their work.

            Beyond those individuals are the musicians, the teachers, the people who make online church a reality, and the list could go on and on.  My point is that you don’t have to be in the limelight to be a part of God’s Kingdom work.  We all have different talents and abilities and for the Church to be the inviting, welcoming place that God desires it to be, we all must do our share. 

            If we look back at Paul’s letters, he often mentioned women that we know almost nothing about, but he considered them partners in his ministry.  In the 16th chapter of Romans, he mentions Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis.  We know that Priscilla was married to Aquilla, and they opened their home to believers.  We think that Phoebe was probably entrusted with taking the letter to the Romans.  As for the others, we know virtually nothing.  The fact that we do not know what they did or how they helped to advance the Gospel is immaterial.  Whatever they were doing, Paul considered them valued partners in his ministry.

            If you are involved in ministry, you are important to the mission we have been given to advance the Gospel.  You may not be known by name, and your ministry may be behind the scenes, but that does not make you any less essential to the work of the Church.  If you are not involved in ministry, then maybe it’s time that you ask God to show you how He can use you to advance the Gospel.

            The family of God functions best when everyone pulls their share of the load, and every individual is important in God’s eyes.  Don’t sit on the sidelines.  Join the partnership with your fellow Christians as we strive to tell everyone about Jesus!

Romans 16: 1, 2, 6, & 12  

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