“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” – 1 Corinthians 12:7

It has become increasingly difficult to get people to serve in our churches. People are so busy that they don’t have time for service in the church. They are gifted and trained, but other responsibilities have overwhelmed them. They have little time for their personal care or anything else after work. The cruel perception is that they don’t have adequate time to add church work to their responsibilities as deserving of God. By this, they deny themselves the privileges and blessings of responding to the call of God (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:12-13).

Conversely, there are those who, like Moses, are not sure they are qualified, prepared, and adequate to serve (Ex. 4:13). To them, they don’t measure up, and the other person is better and more suited for the job.

Some also think it is somebody else’s job or call—not theirs. Others will always be there to do it; why even consider it?

The common fallacy here is that God is looking for people with all the time in this world to serve Him; or that He is looking for those who are perfect or self-confident to do His work. But God is looking for those who are willing and ready—those who will respond as Isaiah did, “Here am I. Send me” (Is. 6:8). For, when God calls, He equips and leads in every way. Competence comes from Him, and He makes room for everything. The heart and motive, therefore, are the essential consideration for God in everything. But have you noticed that throughout the Bible, God has always called people who were busy at work?

The result of these deceptive ideas is that we have left service in our churches to a few faithful members. Their assigned responsibilities have overwhelmed them and made them less effective and deficient in other places, particularly their homes. If only all of us would join with them and share the work—how better, it would be for them and pleasing to the Lord!

Regardless, they do not step back. It is refreshing to see them and their families continue to serve. They have not held back what God has invested in them (1 Cor. 12:7). Rather, they recognize the call of God and their position as a responsibility of being part of the body of Christ (v.27). They accept to offer themselves for His service and to allow Christ to be Lord in every way. 

As our church calls on everyone to join hands, hearts, and minds to rebuild our broken walls, we pause today to salute all who serve at every level. We call upon the Holy Spirit to anoint you with power for effective ministry in the name of Jesus.

We, the leadership, pledge our support and stand with you in prayer and fellowship. In the spirit of Paul’s exhortation to the church to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3), we will walk with you in recognition of your gift so that your “work will be a joy, not a burden” (Heb. 13:17), and your labor will never be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Congratulations to all of you who serve in the church!