I read somewhere these words: “Christian service, in its purest form, is nothing more than imitating Jesus.”
Think about it. There are so many people in a church who work behind the scenes, doing the small acts that often go unnoticed.
Being in the role of minister’s wife for some 40 years and having served on a church staff, I have observed firsthand those servants who imitated Christ as they went about their way. They worked quietly, expecting no praise, just expressing their love for Christ, His church and others in their unique ways.
Even in the most menial of tasks, each person in a church contributes to the kingdom of God. Christ’s words drive this home to us. “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:26–27).
I remember several of these servant leaders over the years.
Charlie, 73, made it a point to notice any strangers in the congregation. As he spoke to them before and after the service, that visitor had a warm feeling about the fellowship of the church. It was a little thing, but the fact that Charlie walked with a cane and struggled to inch toward the guest made the gesture special.
I also remember a husband and wife who donned the role of servant as they walked an unsteady senior citizen to their car to take her home after the church service. And their service was not limited to older adults. Many was the time I saw this same couple aid a young mother and her children.
In any church there are bulletin boards by the score that send the message that someone cares. Have you ever taken the time to cut out the letters that make up the message on the board? There may be someone who goes unnoticed by the congregation as a whole, but God sees his or her heart always burning with the desire to serve Him.
Real service is what many folks give week after week, Sunday after Sunday, all for the glory of God. So many sermons are preached by the “behind the scenes servants of God.” Someone may volunteer in the church office, run the sound system, place the letters just so on the sign in front of the church or fill the baptistry in preparation for the baptismal service.
As a young high school girl I used to wonder what drove Mrs. Hall to walk every Thursday to Hill Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. Her mission was to meet with eight of us who attended Young Women’s Auxiliary, as it was called then. Her special needs daughter was by her side. She had no car, but rain or shine she came and she taught us about loyalty to church and God.
The Kingdom thrived through the years because of this dedicated servant.
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