Today we celebrate the work of the laity of the church. It’s oft been said – maybe most by clergy – that the laity of the church don’t need the clergy, but the clergy most definitely need the laity. To that I say, Amen! From the time seven men were set aside for service freeing the apostles to preach and teach (see the story in Acts 6:1-6), service within, and without, too, the church has been of great importance. The laity (from the Greek word, laos, meaning “people”) of the church have played a vital role in the growth of the Christian church.
In each church I’ve served (six, including Hunt UMC), the laity have played a significant role. From weeding flower beds to being liturgists during worship, laypersons embody Jesus’ command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” (Matt. 28:19a). The importance of the laity cannot be overstressed. In one church, a man was there whenever the church doors were open to open the doors for those who came. In another, one member would count the Sunday offering, enter it into the computer, and then disappear somewhere on the grounds to spread mulch, weed gardens, water, or whatever was needed.
From the Wesley Covenant Service (The United Methodist Book of Worship; page 291) come these words:
Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants. Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him. Christ has many services to him. Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable, others 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.
The first word is “commit.” That’s what servants are called to do. Also, we submit ourselves to the yoke of Christ (see Matt. 11:29) in obedience to God’s will for us. It’s not easy, is it, but if discipleship were easy, everyone would do it! The church has so many necessary jobs, from folding the Sunday bulletins, to answering the phones, to leading in worship. It’s important that each disciple find his or her place. Oh, and there is no retirement age for service to Christ.
I invite you to find your place in ministry to and through the church. And if you don’t find that for which you are looking, maybe God is calling you to begin a new ministry. Don’t wait for someone else to do it, jump on in! See you on the road of service.
Grace and peace,
Mike
October 18, 2015