What Are You Going To Do For Christ?
That was the question 19th-century church planter Johan Oncken asked every incoming church member. He wrote down their answer, and some months later checked in to see how they were progressing.
He understood an important principle for church health: the ministry belongs to the whole church.
According to Ephesians 4:11-15, when leaders in the church are doing their job, they equip the saints to minister God’s word. The Word of God is preached from the pulpit. But that’s not where the Word stays: it reverberates through the whole church. We hear it again over coffee, at dinner, over the phone, in texts, at growth groups, as the church speaks the truth in love.
What are you going to do for Christ? Have you grasped that as you mature in Christ, you should be equipped to be a minister of the word of God? Have you ever seen it as your responsibility not only to be a better disciple, but a better discipler? Have you ever seen it as your calling to be not only a follower of Jesus, but one who helps others to follow Jesus - by speaking truth to them?
We want our church to be like a happy colony of ants, everyone working hard and pitching in for the sake of the gospel. Even though many Christians don’t feel qualified for ministry, we all have a role to play. Here are four simple suggestions for getting started, and I urge everyone to try at least one.
Option 1: See & Speak
Notice God’s work in someone’s life and tell them. It could be like this, “Brother, I noticed you’re leading a growth group for the first time. Praise God for your willingness to serve.” It could be “Sister, I see how you are joyfully serving your children even when you’re exhausted. I’m encouraged by your perseverance!” Children, can you think of anything your parents have done right? Anything? Tell them, and see how much it encourages them.
Option 2: Learn & Share
Take something you’ve learned, and share it with someone else. It might sound like this: “In the core seminar, Michael talked about how all our life is stewardship, and I never thought about that before.” Or, “I was reading 1 Samuel in my devotions this morning, and I was struck by David’s confidence in the Lord, even when he faced Goliath. I was encouraged to trust God too.”
Option 3: Include
Invite someone into your own devotions. Do you pray at 6:30 am every morning? Maybe this sister never prays. Could she join you? On video call? Are you reading through Matthew right now? Maybe this brother doesn’t read the Bible — could he read with you? Are you memorizing 1 Corinthians 9:24-27? Could someone do it with you?
Option 4: Arrive Early, Linger After
Show up a little early, stay a little late. Are there people you could welcome with the love of Christ? Are there people you could get to know? And if you stay a little after, could you hear how he’s doing with the job hunt, or she’s doing with the discouragement, or what they’re learning from the preaching — and then pray with them?
Yes, this is what the “work of the ministry” can look like. And guess what — you may think it’s small. But when everyone is doing this, it’s like a flash flood of love, grace, and power.
So I ask you: “What are you going to do for Christ?” Write it down and send it in. I’d love to hear it.
