Greg Cummings
10/8/1997
Type: Bulletin
WHAT CAN I DO?
Somehow we get the idea that all of our Christian service must be done through a church program. People surrounded with opportunities to serve Christ complain that the elders haven’t given them anything to do. Others call the church office asking,
What can I do? I appreciate their spirit for asking. Let me remind you that most of us can do much more on our own than the church office could ever assign. That’s because most Christian service cannot be effectively formalized into a program. The more we try to organize it, the less effective it becomes.
The following is a list of things we can do that will make a difference in the Lord’s work here. We don’t have to be in any program of the congregation to participate. We can do these things no matter what our age or sex. The only qualification for these jobs is to be a concerned Christian.
• Stand in the foyer before services watching for visitors. Greet them and invite them to sit with you or to lunch after services. Be sure to introduce them to others.
• Watch for loners at our assembly. Reach out to them. Talk to them. Make them feel noticed.
• Become aware of members who are not present. Call them. Let them know they have been missed.
• Drop a note of appreciation to a teacher, elder, song leader, friend.
• Send a card to someone who is sick. Visit if appropriate. Find a specific way you can help them.
• Be at Bible class and the assembly early. Get to know those outside our normal circle of friends.
• Make a list from the announcements of those needing or requesting prayers. Actually set aside a time during the day to pray for them.
• If you are not a member of an established group of friends (that’s a nice way of saying clique), start one. Include others who need such a group. Don’t be concerned that you can’t break into someone else’s group. Start your own.
• Pray for our church and governmental leaders. Lift them up before your Father daily.
• Dedicate an hour each week (10 minutes a day) to calling others on the phone to encourage, exhort, befriend, compliment, and teach. We don’t have to leave our houses to serve the Lord in significant ways.
There are lots of things to do for those who have eyes to see.
—
Greg Cummings
Kerrville, TX
