Two words we should never say in church.

I’m not sure how often, if ever, you stop and ponder the vocabulary we use at church, and it does not get much use outside of church. A few prime examples are Narthex. In most non-church circles, it would be called the lobby. While we are talking about the building, we also have the following: Nave, which is the main seating area of the church where all the pews (benches) are located; there is the Sacristy, the room to the right of the Chancel where the Sacraments are prepared, then there is the carillon or bells need I continue. And this is just a walk through the building.

Many theological terms exist, such as Sanctification, Justification, Absolution, Trinity, Gnosticism, and Excommunication.

Today, I would like to look at two words we should never say in church, At least not the way we use them now. The two words I would like to see us get rid of in the church's life are “Member” and “Volunteer.” How many of you thought those were the words I would be talking about? Raise your hands. I’m guessing that no one’s hands are raised.

I’m also guessing that many of you are asking what’s wrong with those words and what we could replace them with. Well, let me introduce you to a couple of replacement words. I would use Disciples for members, and for volunteers, I would use Servants. Let me explain.

The mission of Peace Lutheran is to “develop fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” We call that making disciples in church talk. We are never called to make members, grow members, or even increase membership. We are, however, told to go and make disciples of all nations.  We are all members of the body of Christ, but that’s for another newsletter article. 

I recently read an article called Lessons from a church in Kenya: Members or Disciples? By Stephen Muhota, which reads:

It is very possible to end up with members who are not true disciples. People who just show up to church on Sunday because they are coming for attendance. They aren’t coming to hear from Jesus or to convert. And so you don’t end up with disciples; you end up with members.

A disciple is a devout, disciplined follower of Jesus Christ. This means being devoted to the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of believers. These three make a disciple.

A member does not care much about those three things. He just shows up to church on and off. He doesn’t really read the Bible. He relies on the prayers made for him in church.

I could not have said it better myself.

Nowhere in Scripture do we have the slightest hint that God’s people are to volunteer. Instead, the Scriptures indicate that using our gifts should be a joyful responsibility. The term volunteer may give a believer the idea that he has an option whether he is willing to serve in a specific capacity and that if he chooses to serve in that capacity, he is going beyond his actual responsibility (he is “volunteering”)—and therefore has done something meritorious.

Instead, God’s Word tells me clearly that if I have been gifted in a particular area, I have no alternative but to use that gift, serving with the strength God gives me for the good of others. Such service should be performed joyfully, thanking God for allowing me to serve His body.

So, we are in the process (always) of helping people find how they can best serve the needs of the body of Christ here at Peace.  We are looking for Sunday School Teachers, Musicians, Readers, Property management people, visitation servants, and more.

Something to Ponder...

How, as a disciple of Christ, are you serving?

<>< Pastor Craig