A Role for Everyone
We live in a very competitive society. At work, our abilities are constantly being compared to our coworkers. In the neighborhood the state of our landscaping is seen as compared to the houses around us. Even at home our lives tend to be competitive between siblings. At least in the Church it would be nice to live without competition. That might be too much to ask.
BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (in saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4.7-13
Today’s reading from Saint Paul is a reminder that we each have gifts from God for the work of the Church. What Saint Paul does NOT say, is that our gifts are for any role we want. He says, “that some should apostles, some prophets,” etc. None of us can or should fill all these roles.
The problem in the contemporary Church is that we are so ‘short staffed’ that all the roles tend to become the job of the priest. The priest has become preacher, database manager, bulletin editor, teacher, counselor, doctor, nurse, caretaker, babysitter, and finally if there is any time left, liturgist.
It should be no surprise that our churches in America are falling short in ministry. Not only are the gifts of the priest not sufficient for so many roles, there are not enough hours in the day, even if the gifts were sufficient. What’s the answer?
The answer is for each of us to discern our gifts and offer them to the Church for the work of the Church, “for the building up of the Body of Christ.” Anything short of each member fulfilling their respective role will result in not achieving our goals.
A business would be considered a failure if its goals were not met. Stock prices would plummet, and customers would go elsewhere. Should we be surprised that so many walk away from the Church for other denominations?
People walk away for many reasons. I have heard many stories over my thirty years working in the Church. One thing is constant. Nobody (at least nobody I have ever met) wakes up one morning and decides the Church is wrong about God and salvation.
People tend to walk away because they are not being nourished in Christ. It is true, sometimes people have the wrong perception of the Church. With proper ministry, by those who have the proper gifts from God, even a wrong perception can be nurtured back to Christ.
We’re almost two weeks into the New Year. Most of us have already forgotten our New Year Resolutions. So today, let’s make a new one. Resolve to offer yourself to your Church for the work of the Church.
Don’t wait for the priest to ‘do it all’ and then complain when he fails. Instead, call him and offer your services. Then, with his guidance, discern where your gifts can best help the Church. You may have gifts you haven’t recognized yet. The Church may have needs you are not aware of yet. Offer to serve for the glory of God, and He will take care of the rest.
