“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)
There is one body, and that’s us, and this body has been given many gifts of the Spirit. These gifts differ according to the Scripture passage, but here is a list made of those listed in several scriptures: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of God, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues. Perhaps your list contains more. Today, I would like to speak of other gifts or abilities or roles necessary, used, and present in the collection of various churches, depending upon their focus and ministries. It’s a longer list than the one written above and probably not as well known: ushers, pray-ers, greeters, security, singers, AV techs, secretaries, friends, pastors, listeners, treasurers, decorators, youth leaders, schedulers, janitors, kitchen workers, maintenance, service coordinators, children’s teachers, worship leaders, volunteers, volunteer coordinators, copy machine operators, praisers, encouragers, intercessors, intercessory prayer coordinators, Bible study teachers, and receptionists.
Did you find yourself in that list? You should have because some of them are roles and gifts given and needed to be used by all of us in every church. Others are more specific and may not be present in each church. One interesting fact of Christian churches is that when a role needs to be filled, or a task needs to be completed, God taps someone on the shoulder and says, “Here’s your chance to further my kingdom.” Join Isaiah, who said in Isaiah 6:8: “Here am I, Lord, send me.” (NIV) It may not seem to be as important as God’s call to Isaiah, but if it is important enough for God to ask you to do it, then it is important enough to say, “Send me.”
The point is that we are all called by God to fulfill some vital part of His church, but not everyone answers the call, and the church is just not quite as effective as it would be if each of us answers. But remember that our God is a forgiving God, and He will ask you again, giving you the opportunity once more to serve, once more to earn the accolade: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21a (NIV)
Please forgive me if I have omitted a role that you are fulfilling in your church. You can be sure that God has noticed and He will express His thanks at some point.
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