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There is a place in the body for every member to use his or her
gifts. This church in the Czech Republic enabled one of its members shine
in a new area of creative service – and everyone was blessed.
"At our church we want to help all the members use their
individual gifts to spread the gospel. We believe every individual has
been gifted to be able to serve others some way.
There are many areas where church members can get involved:
children's ministry, social work, cross-cultural evangelism, music,
technical support (sound technology), organization of the worship
services, home group leadership, mothers' groups, pastoral work, visiting…
all need workers. But despite all these opportunities, it happens
occasionally that some people have nothing to do. It's not that they don't
want to serve; it's just that there is no area available where they can
use their talents and gifts.
Our church sees this situation as a challenge. If possible, we
try to create space for a new ministry. The only condition is that the new
activity must not be done in isolation but must be part of the church
life. Church leaders seek to coordinate all ministries, making them
complementary and mutually supportive.
Here's an example. A young man called Mark had been converted and
joined the church. He worked at a conveyor belt in a car factory. It was
monotonous, unchallenging work, but in the church he appeared to be very
creative. In fact he sparked with energy and ideas.
We had nobody to make the notice-board for the wall outside the
church, and this young applied himself zealously to the task. He cut out
pictures, put them together, wrote short mission challenges and installed
little lamps on the board. These now shine by night and attract the
attention of passers by.
This activity could not consume all of Mark's energy, however. He
was a restless person. He jumped during praises, shouted comments during
worship services, and sparkled with wit. Once he returned from a
conference inspired by short dramas. During praise services he was
extremely active, waving flags, trying to dance, and conducting the choir.
Later he formed a small drama and dance group.
Not all of the church members understood this unusual behavior
and some of the conservative ones disliked it, seeing it as diminishing
the dignity of the worship services.
The pastor and church elders debated the matter. Should they
oppose it? After much discussion and prayer they decided to give this new
form of praise a chance. And so they encouraged Mark to lead a drama group
[Energy Transformation].
Mark gathered together a small group of teenagers and they
started rehearsing various skits. They have presented these during church
events, street evangelism, youth conferences and at other opportunities.
Ten months later we realized our worship services had been
revived and enriched. Members liked the short dramas and looked forward to
them. Some of the teenagers had found a new opportunity for
self-expression and learned how to praise God through dancing and drama.
The skits were also suitable as sermon illustrations. One day I
was to preach about the second coming of Jesus. In the morning when I saw
Mark in the church, full of his usual energy, I thought about one of their
short dramas which talked about people waiting for a bus. The bus had been
delayed and when it finally arrived only one of the passengers had a valid
ticket. Mark gathered the group for some quick instructions, and in the
middle of my sermon they presented the skit [Symbiosis].
Mark’s gift of organizing and conducting little dramas supports
the sermon and helps God’s word to reach hearts. The listeners probably
soon forget the sermon but they do remember the drama."
Church leaders recognized and identified the special gifts of
this brother, and created space for his unique ministry. Today his talents
support the pastor in his own ministry, assist the youth work and enhance
evangelistic activities.
Julie Belding is
editor of DayStar, New Zealand's Monthly Evangelical Newsmagazine |
