There are no small roles in the church

Veronica Sexton

The appendix, a part of the body once thought to have no function, is now believed by many to have an important role in our digestive health. And the three smallest bones in the body, located in the ear, help transfer sound waves to our brain, granting us access to a world of sounds: conversation, music, laughter, and so much more.

God meticulously knit each of our complex bodies together — from our skin, heart, and lungs to the tiniest of capillaries — all for His purpose and His glory (Psalm 139:13-14, Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 2:10). And our body as a whole is healthiest when all of our parts, big and small, are working well and working together.  

Isn’t it appropriate that the Bible describes the Church as the “body of Christ,” and reminds us that we are each a “part of it“ (1 Corinthians 12:27)?  

There’s More to Serving Than What We See on Sunday

From Christ, the head of the Church, “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16). God has blessed us with a variety of spiritual gifts, and we have a responsibility to use them for the good of the church, to help it grow and thrive (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 4:11-12).  

We might be tempted to think the most visible or vocal people in the church are the most important, but Scripture reminds us, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?” (1 Corinthians 12:17-19).  

What we consider insignificant, God finds indispensable.

Jesus counts on each one of us to play a role, no matter how small we believe our contribution is (Ephesians 1:22-23). What we consider insignificant, He finds indispensable (1 Corinthians 12:22, Luke 21:1-4).

If we convince ourselves that we either have nothing to offer, aren’t needed, or we’re too busy, then we’re refusing an invitation to participate in the miracle of the Gospel. When we are active participants, not only do we get to celebrate when the kingdom of God expands, but we have the support of the entire body when we suffer or stumble (1 Corinthians 12:26).

It’s Worth It to Find Your Place in the Kingdom of God

If you’re ready to discover, cultivate, and use your spiritual gift in a serving role, check out www.newspring.cc/serving. If nothing jumps out at you, consider taking the next step of joining a Group.

Community gives us an opportunity to tap into our talents, lift one another up, and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). At www.newspring.cc/groups, you can explore available special interest Groups to find one that suits you, and you can get together with people to do something you love.   

And if you don’t see a Group that piques your interest, then create a Group — a place where you and others can live out the Gospel together (Acts 2:46-47).

We can watch God move, or we can help God move.

We can go to church or be the church.  We can watch God move, or we can help God move. It begins when we believe and act as if small roles can really make a big difference.

Visit www.newspring.cc/serving to get started.