50 Ways to Serve When You Can't Serve

Every church member (see question #6 of previous post) should have some way to serve within the church. No one should be doing nothing. God Himself teaches that every member is important and is designed by God to fill some role within the church.

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly" (Romans 12:4-6). "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. . . . But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired" (I Corinthians 12:11, 18).

Some people have legitimate limitations that restrict their service. If someone is weak (for whatever reason), this does not mean he is worthless. "On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary" (I Corinthians 12:22).

Many people face challenges of health, family, work, or other responsibilities that make it difficult to serve within the church. A sickly or elderly member might have significant restrictions on what he can do. A willing mom might have her hands so full with children that she can't commit to regular involvement. A gifted teacher might not be able to put in hours of preparation each week. A talented singer might not be able to commit to the structure and frequency of the choir.

I am particularly concerned for our senior saints. They have such rich experience with God and such depth of wisdom, yet often they (apparently) have no active role in the church. Seniors often struggle with the perception of uselessness; a failure to be involved can intensify that struggle. The church needs these seasoned Christians and needs what they can contribute for the good of the church.

Whatever your condition or position, the church needs you. If you want to serve, but don't know how you can within your limitations, here are some suggestions. Most require little or no money. They include both regular and sporadic service, but with no major time investment. The energy required is minimal. Don't try to do them all, but choose one or two or three that fit your capacity, and start serving.

Edification/Teaching/Outreach

·         Develop a daily, weekly, or monthly prayer list to regularly pray for church needs.
·         Be a substitute Sunday school teacher.
·         Be a helper for a larger Sunday school class.
·         Meet regularly with an individual or couple that is newly saved.
·         Share a testimony whenever the opportunity is provided.
·         Write devotional thoughts to share with a particular person or group.
·         Ask your pastor if there is an individual or family that could especially use encouragement or prayer.
·         Sing special music on an occasional basis - solo or small group.
·         Play an occasional offertory or prelude.
·         Invite a friend or neighbor to church.

Practical Ministry

·         Be an emergencies-only nursery worker.
·         Take the nursery toys (or bedding) home to wash.
·         Help the treasurer count offerings.
·         Take attendance.
·         Inventory Sunday school materials.
·         Come in each week to fold the church bulletins.
·         Stamp new supplies of gospel tracts with the church information.
·         Help prepare mailings from your church.
·         Do Internet/phone research for a church project or consideration.
·         Prepare the communion elements.
·         Make the communion bread.
·         Bring flowers to decorate the church.
·         Help prepare crafts or decorations for special events (VBS, conferences, holidays).
·         Help with minor repair projects.

Compassion

·         Make a phone call to someone who was absent.
·         Visit church members who are in the hospital.
·         Send cards to shut-ins (or visit them).
·         Take a meal (or other treat/gift) to someone in need.
·         Be sensitive to people who are hurting - childless women on Mother's Day, singles or widows on Valentine's Day, widows on anniversaries, bereaved parents on birthdays, etc. Show your love and support with a hug, prayer, card, gift, or meal.

Welcome

·         Purposefully and routinely greet people as they come into church.
·         Be available to open the door for those going in or out.
·         Choose a visitor or recent attendee to speak to every week.
·         Talk to someone who looks lonely.
·         Attend faithfully.

Appreciation

·         Send the pastor a card of appreciation.
·         Send cards or letters to missionaries.
·         Each month do something special for a different Sunday school teacher or church worker (card, gift, meal, note of thanks).
·         Make a meal for your pastor's family.
·         Host a missionary in your home.

Love

·         Smile.
·         Show kindness.
·         Give a hug.
·         Hold a hand or touch an arm.
·         Give a kiss. (Older ladies can get away with this.)
·         Pray with someone.
·         Tell someone you are praying for them.

Show interest outside of church time

·         Purposefully interact with fellow church members on Facebook.
·         Send someone a card for no reason except that you think they could use it.
·         Send birthday and anniversary cards.
·         Have a widow (or other solitary person) over for a meal or activity - or for no reason.

Recently I had two experiences on two Sundays in a row, both from elderly ladies who might think themselves unable to serve. The first week, a lady stopped to talk to me after the service. As we talked, it became evident that I was struggling some. She extended her time of talking, showed care with her eyes, and touched my arm as she left. The next week a different lady greeted me. She turned her handshake into a hug and told me she loved me. Were these "helpless old ladies" ministering within the church? You better believe it!

Is your service limited? Consider the list above. Choose several items that you already do or that you could do; start doing them regularly and deliberately as your purposeful service within the church.