Know Your Place

There is a place for everyone in the Church. That place is not just in the pews, but in the ministry of the Church. Nobody can do everything, but everybody must do something. If the ministry of Christ depended upon only the clergy, the Gospel would never spread.

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

In my more than thirty years of ministry I normally find two types of Christians. Those who believe they must do everything themselves often accomplish very little. Without proper attention to certain things, many things ‘end up’ half-finished. Clergy are often this type.

Then there are those who believe everything that must be done in the Church, must be done by clergy. Is there an important flyer that must be produced? Tell the priest. Does the youth basketball team ‘need’ a coach? Tell the priest. Clergy are often abused by this type.

Go back and read today’s passage from Saint Paul again and you will not find clergy the only ministry listed. Sure. Certain priests have talents as teachers and fundraisers, but that doesn’t mean others in the community shouldn’t be teachers and fundraisers.

If the clergy are occupied with ministries that could be done by laity, then there ends up being no time for priestly functions like confession or church services. In the American ‘system’ of Church administration, priestly functions are the least attended to, and the Church is suffering.

It doesn’t matter how talented a priest is, no human being can do everything for everyone. As the saying goes, there are only 24 hours in a day. If you want a vibrant Church, then someone other than the priest must step forward and get involved in ministry. The Gospel depends on it.

The strength of the ancient Church wasn’t their fundraising or banquet planning. The ancient Church was strengthened by the worship of the Church and the sacramental life of the Church. The ancient Church prayed together, not just danced and played basketball together.

If you want a vibrant Church, then the priest must spend his time attending to the spiritual needs of the community, not just the social needs. I didn’t say instead of the social needs. Oftentimes our social needs are clarified by our spiritual needs. The priest helps us clarify the balance.

If you want a vibrant Church, you must know your place in the Church. You must learn how your talents, which are given to you by the grace of God, are for the building up of the body of Christ. You must learn to step forward and offer your time and talents for the spreading of the Gospel.

What does basketball and flyers have to do with the gospel? Everything and nothing. If the youth don’t witness their coach living a faithful and pious Orthodox Christian life, then basketball is just basketball. If the coach is seen coming out of Holy Confession, then the Gospel spreads.

Just as clergy are not meant to ‘sit only’ in Church, laity are not mean to avoid Church. The source of life is the Body of Christ through the Eucharist and life of the Church. If you want a vibrant Church, you must make time both inside the Church for worship and outside the Church.

When we step outside the doors of the Church building, we become icons of the Church. Our behavior at work and at play reflect what we believe about Christ. If you want a vibrant Church your life outside the walls of the Church must reflect the life inside the walls.

Your place is inside the Church building and outside the walls building up the Church through ministry to spread the Gospel. Don’t leave it up to the clergy. The Gospel suffers. Don’t try to do it all yourself. The Gospel suffers. Know your place in the Church and the Gospel spreads.

Here’s another New Year Resolution. Discover how your God-given talents can be used to spread the Gospel and build up the Church. Just remember that nobody can do it all.