Our church is rather small – we have about 80 to 100 people attending each week. Some of those are visitors or casual attendees. The core group of actual church workers is much smaller. We have 15 to 20 members who labor on preparing and presenting the various programs and projects that our church provides.
Of course we have our weekly Sunday church service but we also have Sunday schools for adults and children. I have to say it is a wonderful blessing to have teachers who love the Lord and His Word and are willing to share that with the rest of us of every age. With gifts of teaching, patience, and love our teachers graciously give up their own opportunity of siting and learning on Sunday morning in order to provide lessons for us.
We also have a Wednesday night dinner with a program or Bible study following dinner. This meal is open to the community and everyone is welcome to stay for the teaching. I am not a cook and certainly cannot imagine what it takes to feed 60 or 70 people an evening meal but a meal is produced every Wednesday evening and the people are fed. A member also prepares a lesson to be shared and the people are fed again – this time spiritually.
There are two women’s Bible study groups, which, of course, include preparation of not just homes and food but knowing the Word that will be shared.
Our deacons provide for the needy, the ill, and those who require an extra dose of care. This is yet another group of volunteers.
The church is run by our session wherein the elected group of elders meet to discuss, plan, and prepare for the needs of the current attendees along with the building and its upkeep. They also plan for the future so that both the building and the people are prepared to assist the next several generations in learning about Jesus.
Session involves many people because there are several committees that respond to the requests of the session and vice versa. As you can imagine several of our volunteers are in more than one group.
Can you see all that God is doing with such few a number of people? And yet, when I make a phone call or send a text to a specific person about a question or suggestion I have never been told that they are too busy to respond. People who work for God do it for His Glory and it seems that although they may sometimes grow weary He gives them the strength to continue to move forward.
If one of us requires information or lack some skill, God produces a ‘specialist’ among the congregation that is available to help. God is at work providing the exact people we need in this church for the jobs He has given us to do. It is a continual addition and attrition of volunteers but it all works out perfectly. Our God is an amazing God.
Our minister retired in June 2023 but we have enjoyed a delightful group of great Bible teaching pastors who have filled the pulpit every week since June and we have more scheduled out well into 2024 while our search for a new pastor continues.
We have a committee of volunteers who are searching and sorting through the various pieces of information to find a pastor that will be blessed to come to our church and in turn will bless our church with his presence. We are excited to see who God will provide.
I never cease to be amazed that our God is so gracious to provide our church with such a small army of volunteers who produce so much. It makes me consider the Old Testament story where God told Gideon there were too many warriors and he must send many away so that God alone would receive the glory for the win of the battle. Indeed 300 men defeated a gigantic army and God received the glory due Him.
The work of the church is always to give our God the glory that He deserves. Feeding the hungry, helping the ill, clothing those in need, comforting the forlorn. All of the many jobs of the church are to share the love of God with others, seeking to show them the way to the Father.
Those who love the Lord with all their hearts are giving of their time and talents to do God’s will – doing on earth as it is in heaven. If you have considered where your skills might be used in your own church to glorify God, please tell others of your eagerness to serve. God has already prepared a place for you to honor Him.
ED. NOTE: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.
