Pastor's Message

October 2004

It’s Not My Job!

Have you ever said that? Sometimes I think about that phrase as it sometimes works out around the church, and it makes me chuckle.

For example, a couple days ago a member of the church stopped in to discuss something with Bev. As I went out into the hall, I saw this man and we said hello and chatted a bit. He told me that he had just finished his conversation – so I handed him a screwdriver and asked him to do a project for me. He responded that he just couldn’t work with such a screwdriver, so I went back into my office and brought out two more screwdrivers for him. He did the job.

He could have said, “It’s not my job.” There are times I could have said, “It’s not my job.” There are times we all could say that, but then what would get done, or what would be left undone, at our church?

So what is our job? As Christians, as members of St. Paul's UCC, what should we do for the church and for our Lord? I guess the correct answer is, “Anything we are able to do.” There are some things we just cannot do, and we should leave that to others, but if we are able, then doing that becomes another gift to God.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth about this. In chapter 12 he is writing about the various gifts that the members of the church can offer, and the importance of each one bringing their gifts to the life of the church. He wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” Each gift, Paul was encouraging the Corinthians, needs to be brought to the church. No gift is unimportant. When all gifts are brought, the church is complete.

Some folks think that if they can’t preach, if they can’t teach, if they can’t sing in the choir, there is no task for them to do. But there is an old hymn in “Songs of Zion” called, “Balm in Gilead.” The third verse is:
     “If you cannot preach like Peter,
     if you cannot pray like Paul,
     You can tell the love of Jesus,
     and say he died for all.”

There really is a task for everyone in the church. Last month in the Pastor’s Column I asked every member to think about our “extended church family” and to begin praying for individuals and reaching out to them with love and friendship. That was something that everyone could do. This month we will again have “Andrew Sunday” on October 10th when members are asked to emulate the disciple Andrew and bring someone to Jesus. This would be a good time to invite those people on your “extended church family” card to come to church. The 9:00 service and 10:30 service will be the same – our Chancel Choir will sing at both services, as will one of our children’s choirs. So this will be a good Sunday to not only invite that friend, neighbor or relative, but to offer to bring them, pick them up and come worship with them at either service.

A study a few years ago indicated that 5% of new church members come because of a good Sunday School program (and we have an excellent Sunday School). 6% of new church members join because of the Pastor, but 79% join because a friend, relative or neighbor invited them. Won’t you invite someone? October 10th will be a good time – but any Sunday will do. And that is your job.