After a few years of leading a Women’s Bible Study, I stepped back to attend a Bible Study and learn from others. At that time, I still wanted to serve in my church. I started to pray about where I should serve. As I did, three people in one week came to me and said, “Have you thought about serving in AWANA?” Sooo…. I went to the Children’s Pastor and asked if there was a need, of course there was! What was I thinking? I signed up to be a volunteer and a week later, he called me to consider being the Secretary for the older elementary kids. I asked what I would do in that role. He explained that it was logistics, tracking, spreadsheets, and handing out awards. Due to the nature of the role, I met with the Secretary who was stepping down and we chatted. I loved this idea! So she and I met a couple times, she trained me and handed the role over to me.
This is the BEST role for me! I get to plan, prepare, check things off, make copies, give out awards, and greet each parent and student. I enjoy it so much!
My Junior High daughter forgot she didn’t have Junior High one Wednesday due to their meeting room being used by another ministry. So she asked if she could sit with me. She was like, “Mom THIS IS SOOOO BORING!” To her, it was the dullest job she could ever imagine someone doing. To her, it was not fun. To her, it was the longest night ever.
I took that opportunity to talk to her about the gifts the Lord gives us. He enables each of us with talents different from each other. The thing that I enjoy and am talented in is not going to be what everyone else in the church is talented in. That is more obvious when it comes to those who sing, teach, or play an instrument. But administration work, welcoming people who are visiting, listening to someone going through a hard time, praying for others, preparing the copies for an event, or whatever someone may do… these things are not front and center and may not be as in the spotlight as those who are front and center, but all these things are what helps the Body of Christ function.
For me, I am doing something I enjoy and find exciting. In turn, the previous Secretary was moving to focus more in the Counseling and Mentoring Women Ministry. She was being pulled too many directions and God was calling her heart to focus on helping women. By me taking on her responsibilities in AWANA, she could serve and better focus her gifts where they were needed. The Body of Christ in action!
There may be someone who is passionate about something that the church is not doing, talk to the leadership and see about using your talents to help the church! That is how a hiking/outdoor ministry got started. Women get together and just do fun hikes and outdoor activities and talk and grow together. What a cool thing! It never would have happened if someone did not speak up and offer their passion!
I explained to my daughter that night how God designed us to work together for His Glory. She may think what I do is boring, but I enjoy every moment of it! Not only do I do the administrative work, I get to celebrate the 150-ish 3rd to 5th graders’ achievements. I get to say “Good evening, I am glad you are here tonight” to 150-ish parents and grandparents. God allows me to smile and be friendly to many people! It may seem like nothing, but as a parent myself, having someone to say hi and smile can make a frustrating moment of trying to get the kids where they need to be in the middle of the week just a little bit better.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in on Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves, or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing. If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body…”
1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (ESV)
In this world of social media, influencers, and going viral, it is easy to think that there are things more important because they are more in the spotlight. But God designed each of us differently. Praise the Lord for that! There are things I just don’t like doing at all – yet others find joy in. Admin work, offering smiles and hellos – that is what brings me joy! My daughter, clearly, does not have that specific gift. But that is okay, the Holy Spirit will show her where she can serve as she grows in the Lord! There are tests to see what your spiritual gift may be, but it is so clear when you jump in and try something that has been on your heart. It may turn out that it is not the place for you or it may be your favorite thing ever! The Holy Spirit will show you how you can be used to serve the body of Christ. Pray. Seek the Word. Ask the Lord to show you how you can serve the body of Christ. Then, do it. Jump in. Bless the body of Christ with the gifts and talents that you were given!
One thing I have also learned, the value of thanking others for serving at church in different ways. Whether it is the soundboard folks, the children’s workers, the greeters, coffee station refill committee or our Security team – a simple “thanks so much for what you do” goes a long way! It is important to encourage each other as we serve the Lord together.
One body, many parts – we are not all eyes or ears. Some of us are the pinky toe or the spleen – but the body of Christ needs all of our talents and gifts to Glorify the Lord and reach others for Him! How cool that my ability to navigate spreadsheets can bless a children’s ministry! How awesome that I get to be a smiley face and greet others as they frantically get their kids to their classrooms on time! I pray that each of you reading this consider your gifts and talents and how you can bless the body of Christ with your abilities! You never know how God can use you until you are willing!
Crayons and Bible Stories 