I’ve always had a soft spot for gospel preachers. I grew up watching my dad preach and saw that he loved (most) every minute of it. My family met, worked with, and loved many wonderful people because of his efforts. I married a preacher who immensely enjoys what he does, and I hope our now-grown sons look back with the same positive impressions.
As it is with any profession, there are preachers who don’t represent the job well. Their motives can be less than pure, or their messages can come across as self-righteous or arrogant or showy or apathetic. However, I truly believe that most gospel preachers simply love the Lord and desire share His Word to the best of their ability and with all their heart!
Every time we gather as a church for worship, we hear the saving Truth because of someone’s diligent study and courage. I’m thankful for that!
My wise sister, Kristy Woodall (also married to a preacher), said:
“If you love your preacher: pray for him, encourage him, be his friend. But if you don’t like your preacher: pray for him, encourage him, be his friend.”
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
“You can do what I can’t do. I can do what you can’t do. Together we can do great things.”
I ran across this quote recently and thought how perfectly it describes the Lord’s church. As I consider my own church family, I can think of individuals who excel in teaching. They’re ready and willing and always do a wonderful job. I can think of others who are great at organizing. They’re usually around when any kind of event is coming up. I can think of women who are quick to volunteer to make food for those who need it. I think of members who always invite folks to worship, those who regularly set up Bible studies, and those who lift others up with their gift of encouragement.
A friend of mine recently said, “I can’t do it all!” I found it interesting that she wasn’t saying it by way of excuse, but rather out of frustration. I got the sense that she wished she could do it all. That way she wouldn’t have to say ‘no’ to anyone or any need. She was right. Not only is it true that she can’t do it all, but she shouldn’t try to.
Here’s how the Bible explains it:
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:4-7).
“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body” (1 Cor. 12:17-19).
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds 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…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:11-16).
We all bring different gifts, strengths, and talents to the table, which means…
Together Everyone Accomplishes More!
At Bible camp, Erin Eubank had the girls form teams to put their memory verses together.
I just spent a week at Big Reedy Christian camp and, as you might imagine, experienced many things that could’ve inspired this week’s reason to love the church. There was lots of beautiful singing, kids bonding, Bible learning, hands helping, and good, clean fun. But a statement made in the kitchen has stuck with me the most. On the last morning, Dana Simpson was making her famous homemade cinnamon rolls (for the entire camp!) and I was helping her roll out the dough. When it came time to spread brown sugar and cinnamon over the dough, I asked, “About how much do you use?” She replied, “Just measure with your heart.”
When it comes to our Christian walk, following our hearts can be a dangerous thing, as the heart can be “deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). Living by what seems right to us can “lead to death” (Prov. 14:12). But Dana’s answer made me smile, and not just because she gave me permission to sprinkle brown sugar with wild abandon! All week long I’d watched her live out that very concept. Campers and adults alike came to her with their questions. They wanted her advice or suggestions, and it didn’t matter if it was kitchen stuff, or camp stuff, or life stuff.
I learned a lot from Dana myself as I watched her interact with everyone all week long. I believe that people are drawn to her for more than just her experience and knowledge. They know she really cares. How does she know when a counselor needs a pick-me-up by way of an extra biscuit? How does she know how much of an attaboy to give a camper who’s still causing problems but whose growth is evident? How does she know when a more stern reply is in order? She measures with her heart. And she can do that because her heart is engaged. She pays attention. She sees a need and meets it, but in a way that seems just for that person specifically.
Obviously the secret to Dana’s famous cinnamon rolls is the fact that she measures with her heart. And anyone who knows her knows she uses the same principle with people.
The church is filled with people like Dana who live and love wholeheartedly! Who do you know who doles out whatever is needed with their heart?
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31).
The church grew because of two ingredients: walking in the fear of the Lord and walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. While the times may be a little different for us today, surely those same ingredients hold the power of increase for us, too.
“The Fear of the Lord”
I wrote a Bible-marking article on this topic and in that study learned what it means to fear the Lord and all the beautiful consequences of it:
It means to keep God’s commandments so that it may be well with us (Deut. 5:29).
It means to depart from evil in order to gain wisdom (Job 28:28).
It means to walk in God’s ways in order to be blessed (Psa. 128:1-4).
It brings strong confidence (Prov. 14:26).
It involves humility and the reward is riches, honor, and life (Prov. 22:4).
It means doing what is right so that God will welcome us (Acts 10:35).
“The Comfort of the Holy Spirit”
And there are blessings to walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit:
“By the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom. 15:13).
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness…and intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:26).
“If you live by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, and you will live” (Rom. 8:13).
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5).
What does this have to do with loving the church? The church is made up of people who are walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This means we have a Family filled with wise and confident people doing what is right. It means that when we gather together, we are surrounding ourselves with people who are filled with hope and God’s love. What a balm for our troubled or overwhelmed hearts!
Kennedy Waddell holding our little Jude in Bible class
I’ve never actually been to a Weight Watchers meeting, but I remember hearing about them back in the day. They were popular because the weekly in-person sessions gave dieters the opportunity to weigh in, encourage each other, and receive motivation and advice. I imagine this support played a key role in the success of sincere members. Many of us today utilize fitness apps where we can track our diet and exercise. My husband is a runner and likes to use the Strava app to log his miles and see the progress of fellow runners. What these things have in common is an opportunity to check in (or a needed reminder to show up). A little bit of accountability can make a big difference in reaching our goals.
If our particular goals were easy, we wouldn’t really need an app, would we? We wouldn’t need the motivation or accountability. We usually want these things in place because we know there will be times when we just don’t feel like doing what we’re supposed to.
I’m just going to say this. Sometimes resisting temptation is hard. There are times when I feel selfish or really feel like things should be done my way. There are times when my pride refuses to back down. My mouth really runs riot with complaining or criticizing if I’m not guarding my speech. Sometimes my zeal for soul-winning fizzles out. And sometimes it’s just hard to resist fleshly sins if there’s something I want and I don’t practice self-denial.
I once heard temptation compared to a donut for a dieter. There will be days the dieter can resist the donut with no problem. He’s feeling strong so it’s easy to say, “No, thanks!” He’ll happily reach for an apple instead. But what about those days when all he can think about is that donut? It’s hard, hard, hard to resist. I can see how sin is like that. When I’m feeling strong, it’s not such a big deal. But when I’m feeling weak, I can surprise myself with how easy it is to give in. No wonder the apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands, take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12)!
There can be many factors at play when temptation seems harder to resist. Perhaps I haven’t been diligent in personal Bible study and prayer, so my spiritual armor isn’t in place. Or maybe I’m experiencing a season of discouragement or frustration or exhaustion or disappointment. It’s easy to see how I could make things harder for myself spiritually. It’s just as easy to see how I could make things better for myself spiritually: time soaking in God’s Word, time spent in prayer, and time spent with God’s people.
God knew we would need a place of accountability and He provided it for us, a place among His people. How wonderful that, multiple times a week, we have an opportunity to show up and weigh in, if you will. To receive motivation, encouragement, and advice. To be surrounded by like-minded people who have the very same goals. And to humbly ask for help and prayers when we’re weak and either giving in or giving up.
Paul went on to say, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). I don’t know what I’d do without my weekly spiritual weigh-ins. There’s something fortifying about gathering with other Christians to praise God and grow together. We see each other’s struggles and life-challenges. We pray for each other and hold each other accountable in the very best way.
Think about that special moment at the end of every gospel message in worship. “If anyone needs to come…” It’s a personal invitation to receive prayers and encouragement. I get to do a heart-check every time. Do I need help resisting temptation? Is my faith growing cold? Am I in a valley, or feeling spiritually weak?
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Neal and I recently had lunch with our dear friends, Roger and Joyce Johnson. One thing I’ve noticed about them is they always have a good word to say about others. On this particular occasion, Roger described someone as “salt of the earth” and went on to list the character traits that made him such. I couldn’t help but think that we know many people who could be described that way (Roger and Joyce included).
What do you think of when you hear that someone is “salt of the earth”? I think of words like dependable, trustworthy, reliable, honest, humble, fair, true, and good. Someone who is full of integrity and committed to doing the right thing.
Jesus described the “blessed” with words like “meek,” “merciful,” “pure in heart,” and “peacemakers.” He then called them the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” because others would see their “good deeds” and God would be glorified (Matt. 5:1-16). He was talking to His disciples. “You are the salt of the earth.”
A couple of millennia have gone by since Jesus said those words, urging His followers to stand out by way of good character and good deeds. How many have risen to that calling since then and still do today? We have no way of knowing, but if my own limited exposure is any indication, then there have been a great number! If I were tasked with listing names of “salt of the earth” people that I know, I could small-font fill a paper in no time.
The church is filled with people humbly doing their best to glorify God with their lives. They’re not perfect. They’re just striving to be the “blessed” that Jesus described. They are the salt of the earth, and we are blessed to know them!
A favorite author of mine said something in a post that struck me. As she was thanking her online community for their support, she admitted that she always felt overlooked and lonely. When she would have a book signing in her own hometown, no one would show up. And if it weren’t for her loyal readers, she wouldn’t have any friends. I couldn’t believe it. She is a talented, award-winning author of multiple books. I assumed she was somewhat of a rockstar at home. How sad to feel invisible in “the real world”!
It led me to consider a few things:
Online community should complement, not replace, real life community. As an introvert, I get the appeal…digital connections can be way easier. But they’re nothing compared to genuine friendship and in-person fellowship.
No one is invisible in the Lord’s church. We’re family. We see, love, and pray for each other (Rom. 12:9-15). We even have shepherds who watch over us (Acts 20:28). We’re real people in each other’s real lives. Our joys are shared and so are our sorrows. We don’t go through anything alone. We have a whole church family who pays attention, cheers us on, and holds us up when we need it.
If you ever do feel overlooked or invisible in your church family, it might be a good opportunity to get more involved in the lives of others. You can look for ways to make sure others feel seen, loved, and served. Who’s hurting? Who keeps to themselves? Who lost a loved one? When you invest in the lives of others, you become entwined in the body of Christ as an essential member. Certainly not invisible.
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
When we lived just outside Richmond, VA, Michael Shepherd came and held a gospel meeting for us. One night he preached about absolute truth and said, “Even a young child understands this principle.” He stepped down from the pulpit in the middle of his sermon and walked over to where we were sitting. He pointed to our five-year-old and said, “What’s two plus two?” Our son panicked and said, “I don’t know…I’m homeschooled!” Brother Shepherd said, “Son, you just ruined my illustration.” We still laugh about that moment. And tucked away in my heart are plenty more memories from worshiping with my family:
Slipping my young sons Cheerios one at a time to keep them still
A handmade “quiet book” from their Grandma Pollard
Singing “Because He Lives” the very first Sunday after having our youngest child and crying when we got to the verse, “How sweet to hold a newborn baby…”
Their giving styles: oldest son would place his change in the basket like a normal person; middle son would sling them in there like he was skipping stones; youngest son would drop them in one. at. a. time.
Adopted grandparents spoiling our kids
Singing in the car on the way to worship
A pair of red boots that each son wore after their older brother outgrew them
A son crushing on his pre-k Bible class teacher and then getting mad at her when she got married
A son belting out the “Ring It Out” part because those were the only words he knew in that song
Their first times doing the Scripture reading or serving on the Lord’s table or leading a song
Thinking how handsome they looked in their little button up shirts with freshly combed hair
The moment in each of their lives when they said, “I want to be baptized.”
I could go on and on. It wasn’t always easy. Sometimes I felt like the service was a blur because I spent the whole time wrangling little boys. But that phase didn’t last very long and was followed by years of meaningful worship. I don’t know how it went by so fast and my heart aches with the missing of it. Now those boys are grown (still wearing boots) and leading their own families to worship. I think about what Sunday mornings in their homes must look like. I imagine it looks a lot like ours used to, trying to get everyone fed and dressed and out the door on time. Perhaps a little frazzled by the time they get in the car. They’re just getting started, and I pray they’ll give themselves some grace and soak in the moments, even the messy ones.
Worship looks a little different for me these days as Neal is the only family sitting with me on the pew. But I LOVE seeing other young families all around me and hearing their children sing. I love knowing that the whole church is my family and we always get to worship together. And I especially love it when the grand babies come to visit and I get to experience the wonder of worship through their eyes all over again.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
On a recent Sunday afternoon, Neal and I walked from table to table congratulating the seniors on their upcoming graduations. Each senior’s table featured items that represented them, like photos, sports memorabilia, school banners, etc. Earlier that day, the elders had presented each of them a Bible study book. It made me think back to the times our own sons were the ones graduating and being honored.
A couple of Sundays before that, we all got together to congratulate those who participated in Lads to Leaders. As their names were called, the children (sheepishly) walked up to receive their certificates for each event they took part in.
Sprinkled here and there have been bridal showers and baby showers. It’s so sweet to see the anticipation and joy and, of course, to think back to my own so many years ago. Within the past 15 months, Neal and I have been blessed with three grandchildren. We had no idea that we would receive cards and gifts for those magical occasions!
One of my favorite things about the Lord’s church is that we share our lives together. In addition to sweet fellowship, we also celebrate momentous occasions with one another. We’ve been to “sober anniversaries” and special birthdays and wedding anniversaries. We indeed rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom. 12:15).
Significant occasions are made even more memorable when shared with our church family. When I recall my own family’s big moments, the church was always a part of them, even if it was just in the form of a thoughtful call, text, or hug. I hope we never take that for granted. And I hope we will do our best to be a part of those special events for others, too, so when they look back they’ll thank God for their supportive church family.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.“
They’re called deacons and, just like our shepherds, they have a special role in the Lord’s church.
“Deacons likewise must be men of dignity…holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience…let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach” (1 Tim. 3:8-10).
I’ve always thought that the men who assume this role are remarkable because they are willing to be servants. I realize that all Christians are to serve (1 Pet. 4:10), but deacons are probably the first to be called on to work in various situations. They’re also usually put in charge of a particular area of service (like fellowship, education, building maintenance, youth, transportation, evangelism, etc.). This requires long-term commitment, patience, humility, and a good attitude about helping others. Deacons give up their own time for all of us!
In addition, their families are often serving right along with them! Their wives and kids help them set up for events, host people in their homes, help plan activities, clean up, make copies, cook food, deliver items, or any number of other things.
Your church bulletin probably includes a list of those who serve as deacons. It could have 8 names or 20. Let’s encourage them this week by thanking them for the essential tasks they carry out in the Lord’s church!
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 