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Over the past few weeks, our Growth Groups have been working through a study series called “Six Steps to Loving Your Church: from the ministry of the few to the ministry of the pew”.

It’s been really helpful to think through what our own role at church is. We can be very tempted to come to church like we might go to the cinema – as a recipient of a product. We’re looking to gain something for ourselves. Of course, we do gain from joining together in this way, but there is so much more that we need to open our eyes to.

Often, it can seem that there are only a few people “doing ministry” at church, especially since we might only view the pastors as “ministers” (and even call them that!). But our pastors’ job is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). That means that “ministry” is what we all do!

So what can I be doing before, during, and after I sit in the pew on a Sunday? So many things! Here’s a list of different ways we can minister to each other, many lifted straight from the studies:

  1. Arrive early! Getting to church early allows me to speak to others, especially new people (who always tend to come earlier). It’s a great encouragement to others to have a full house as the service begins. There might also be some small jobs that need to be done to help church run well. What could I do to get there earlier? Maybe arrange to meet up with someone else beforehand? Share how the week has gone and pray for each other. It doesn’t have to be a long thing, but it gets me in the mindset that, perhaps, church is as much about me serving others as it is benefiting me.

  2. Sit with someone else! We’re a family together. When we meet our biological families, we naturally sit together! It’s a great way to express the bonds Jesus has created between us. We can also help one another during the service; maybe they forgot their Bible, and I can share mine. Perhaps they need a hand looking after a small child. The possibilities for loving and serving one another are endless.

  3. Sing like we mean it! The Scriptures directly encourage us to sing to one another as a means of teaching each other deep spiritual truths  (Colossians 3:16). You can’t sing the words “Amazing Grace” in a lacklustre manner!

  4. Spend the time after the service well. Ask yourself, “Who can I encourage  and build up now?” Some great questions to ask are, “What did you find helpful about the sermon?” “How has your week been?” “What’s coming up for you this week?”. And each of those conversations is an opportunity to pray! We might not naturally say, “How can I be praying for you?” or “Shall we pray about that now?” but surely it should be natural for us as Christians! So take a risk and offer to pray with someone!

As we all seek to love and serve one another in this way, Christ builds his church, one brick at a time (1 Peter 2:5).

Can I encourage you to do your own part in this ministry of the pew?!

David Ould
Senior Associate Minister

 

Pray for our ministry to each other each Sunday

Give thanks for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the life of our church each Sunday. Ask God for wisdom to help each of us actively engage in this ministry, from arriving early to encouraging others after the service. Ask God to help each person recognise and fulfil their unique role in building up the body of Christ.