“Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will” (St. Ignatius).

I think sometimes the Church needs less rock stars and more foot washers. We need less leadership conferences and more servant mentality. We need to remember that the most important people in any body of believers aren’t necessarily the ones on stage or in the spotlight but behind the scenes and behind the stage on their knees in prayer.

The Church only functions well when every single person does his or her part and doesn’t sit in a pew as a spectator but is serving out of the overflow of God’s generosity through his or her giftings and passions. You are unique and have a calling to the local body that only you can do. And it’s not to take up space on Sunday or to be a statistic so the church can pat itself on the back for having impressive numbers every Sunday.

It’s as much about cleaning toilets as delivering sermons. It’s about making people feel welcome as they walk though the church doors, but also cultivating an atmosphere of worship that goes beyond praise and singing to every aspect of ministry and service. A true church has an attendance that varies from 10 to 10,000 but will always have an audience of One, because everything is for the glory of God and the lifting up of the name of Jesus.

I’m thankful to serve in a local church where so many are committed to serving and sacrificing so that people can learn about and grow to love Jesus. I’m thankful for a pastor who doesn’t lord it over his people but has a servant’s heart and a humble spirit. I’m thankful that every week God shows up not only in the amazing music but also in the preaching of the word and the prayers of God’s people. Kids are learning to worship by seeing their parents worship, because as much as children have to find their own faith at some point, it’s better caught than taught.

Lord, help us to serve sacrificially and live surrendered, remembering You chose to leave Your privilege to become human and take on the role of a servant who was obedient to the point of death, all for love of us. May we never forget that ultimately the only one we have to please at the end of the day is You and You alone. Amen.