Bill always could be found at the front door of the church, holding the church key (No, not that one. What were you thinking?), ready to let people enter. Elsie, following her time of inputting the previous Sunday offerings into the computer, could be found in some far corner of the grounds weeding, pruning, watering and otherwise caring for the plants and trees. Pat was in place every Tuesday ready to answer the phone and to proof the newsletter. These, along with so many, many others, are the unsung heroes of the church.
Who are they? For one, they are people who want to serve the church in anonymous ways. They don't crave recognition. Nor do they crave reward. I'm not sure if they even viewed their service as being to the glory of God. Rather, it just was what they did, and had been doing, in some cases, for years. Probably without realizing it, they were living out that part of the Wesley Covenant Service:
"Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands:
put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have
all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart
give it all to your displeasure and disposal."
- The United Methodist Book of Worship, p. 291
Today we celebrate the work of the laity of the church. The church today, as it was in Wesley's time (and long before), is a partnership between the clergy and the laity. Neither can do without the other, although I suspect with the exception of celebration of the sacraments and performing marriages that the laity could do without the clergy. Service in the church is most important. The church never can be the 'divine instrument' God created it to be without the active participation of the laity. Again from the Covenant Service:
'Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants. Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him. Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable, others are more difficult and disgraceful. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and please ourselves. But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.' - p. 291
It takes all of us, working together. Where is God calling you into service for Christ's church? Where is God calling you to put into action the God-given gifts you have? I hope you prayerfully will take time to discover where God is calling you, and then give yourselves in service. The church will be glad you did. See you on the road.
Grace and peace,
Mike
October 19, 2014