My wife is preparing to meet folks from our church who minister to those who are caretakers in their own homes. As she prepares to leave, I realize how important it is for the body of Christ to show up at our scheduled gatherings to encourage one another. Not merely for a meeting like this, but for every occasion - and especially on Sunday.
Have you ever thought (I know you have), “I won’t go to church today, no one will miss me, and I’m not part of the service or the choir anyway?” Unfortunately, we have all had those thoughts and probably acted on them and stayed home.
But I want you to look at your attendance at church in a different light. Showing up at church is a ministry. Yes, you heard right. Just being there ministers to other people.
Photo by Oliver Mussiett from Pexels
You probably think of ministry in big terms: being a pastor, directing the choir, teaching Sunday School, or going to another country for mission work, to name a few. But let me suggest that your presence alone is ministering to others in a way you may not have considered.
If you have been attending a church for any length of time, you have made friends - even if you don’t think you have. Those people have come to church to fellowship and hear the Word of God preached. You are taking part in both. How?
By showing up, you proclaim that the Christian faith is important, that God is real, that hearing, and learning the truth claims of the Bible are important, that his people are important and need to be encouraged, and that you are important and need the encouragement of God’s people also. Have you thought of your attendance like this before?
Let me add that if you are brand new to a church family - even just visiting - the same applies to you. There are people that will remember your recent visit and will be encouraged when you show up at the doors.
I have been a Christian for more than 25 years, and during that time I have been a leader for numerous ministries within the local church. While preparation for teaching a lesson or preaching a sermon is important, my greatest encouragement is not hearing that everyone loved the message. Rather, I am most encouraged when I see the smiling faces that have made the commitment to leave the comfort of their homes to be with the people of God and celebrate our life in Christ together.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Don’t ever believe you don’t have a ministry in the church. Jesus Christ has saved each of us for a specific purpose, whether it appears that way or not. Some are out front and some are behind the scenes. But all believers are equal in value to Christ. And all believers are equal in the church. Your prayers and your presence are a powerful ministry - don’t neglect it.