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What Will it Take?


This is tough to write. Needed. Necessary. Love will do that! It is lengthy, but my prayer is that it is received well. Here goes……..

We really need a lot of helping hands from Volunteers who will dig in and use their abilities, time, talent, personalities, and gifts in ways to push the mission of the Church consistently forward in a positive and successful way that gives God glory and encourages others to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

We have somewhere between 200-300 people who worship together each Sunday and call the Church “their home” for worship and Sunday services. Some of those have taken the next step of commitment by becoming members of the Church as well.

As many people that grace the threshold of our Church doors, it would seem obvious that we have plenty of people to help out and assist with the various missions and outreach events of the Church.

Sadly, the answer to that has been a resounding “no!” No, we don’t. We struggle to fill positions and we seem to fail at garnering volunteers to help with struggling programs such as the nursery, Sunday School classes, Wednesday children’s programs and seasonal events such as Vacation Bible School (VBS). Why?

So, here comes the hard question for all of us to ponder. Only we can answer for ourselves, so there is no justification for pointing fingers at anyone. We need to do a self-assessment on this one.

That means, we all need to think about where we stand outside of the weekly, Sunday worship service we attend. Other than attending worship services, where are we involved in the Church outside of worship? Consider all the things you've done or are currently doing for Jesus and God's kingdom today...last week...this month...this year.

How far have you extended yourself to express your faith? If you’ve already made your list of where you are involved, then “great!!” If not, consider why you are drawing a blank. What have you really done? When was the last time you stepped forward to help, assist or lead a Church ministry program?

Why can’t we step forward on initiative? Why do we hesitate or refuse…do we really have to stall or wait until someone singles us out and personally asks us to do something? Isn’t it rather conceited, on our part, to refuse helping out because “no one asked me?” Maybe, could it be because we feel it is “beneath us” to volunteer without someone first “making us feel special” by begging and pleading for us to get involved?

In twenty-years of ministry, I am still amazed at how so many do so little and how so few do so much. I wonder, what makes us so inclined to be content with minimum standards? No accountability? No incentive? No motivation? No fear of consequences?

I heard an interesting quote that proclaimed that "Christians are just like tea bags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water." When it comes to living out your Christian faith what will it take to make you get serious about ministering in the name of Jesus Christ?

In other words, what will God have to allow to play-out in your life in order get your attention that you've been apathetic, lethargic and unmotivated with carrying out the ministry he has called you to do? What has to happen in order to get your attention to start doing something about the neglectful areas in your spiritual life that you have become accustomed ignoring?

Although not the case in all situations (I realize there are always exceptions), I see many nominal to average "Christians" with health issues, financial troubles, miserable marriages, wayward children, dismal job performances, and a host of other melancholy life-stories that just don't seem to make sense or appear to come at a very unique time.

It makes me wonder if there is something going on in their life from a spiritual sense. After all, these unusually bleak occurrences are not the type of life God planned for us. In Jeremiah 29:11, God tell us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Are you getting nowhere in life? Does "bad luck" seem to be the end result of a lot of your endeavors? Does it seem that no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to "get a break?"

Maybe it is time to stop and seriously consider what has become of your relationship with God. Where is it and at what level? Head knowledge? Conscious awareness? A deep, intimate relationship built on faith, repentance, Scripture, prayer, radical obedience and service?

What is it going to take for you to come back into a proper relationship with God? What will it take for you to get serious about your faith? For some, it takes a tragic accident or a horrific string of bad circumstances. Others, it takes losing a job, a home, or even a spouse. For most of us, it really doesn't require much because we love Jesus and passionately seek him daily, seek forgiveness for sins, and love and live for him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us, So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."

Let's not "push the issue" of Grace. Let's work and focus on our relationship with God now while we have the opportunity. I pray that you won't procrastinate. I pray that you won't wait until God has to intervene in order to give you the incentive. God loves you too much to leave you where you are...he wants to see you grow, mature and succeed in your life and ministry.

You can't do that sitting still, letting time pass, and thinking that simply going to Church on Sunday is "enough spirituality" for your life...invest the time while you still have the privilege...don't wait for an incentive!!

*NOTE: The Church pictured with this article was taken by, me, the Author. It is the Church that I grew up in back in Indiana....but due to declining attendance, death, and lack of support, it is now closed. It sits abandoned to this date. 

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