Plenty of Leaders—But, Where are the Workers?

In my years of ministry, I have discovered that most churches have a great many leaders and a few dedicated workers. Simply put, most are willing and ready to run around telling everyone else what needs to be done but few are willing to step up to the plate and actually do what needs to be done. Every church has their fair share of these individuals.

I have people come up to me and tell me, “Pastor, you need to do this or that…!” My reply is simple: If the Lord has laid it on your heart, He intends for you to do it. Not the response they wish to hear and few go ahead and take care of it but definitely the truth of the matter.

Jesus set the record straight in John 13. Jesus said: “I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you” (John 13:3 HCSB). What was it Jesus had done that was to be a regular practice of those who followed after Him?

The answer may surprise you as it did some of His disciples that evening. He said “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:2 HCSB). The lesson was not the act of foot washing but the attitude and actions of the one normally responsible for carrying out the act—the servant.

Jesus assumed the servant’s role and indicated that the servant’s heart and actions exemplifies His “true” followers. Going back in the Scripture, we find it to say: “He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him” (John 13:4-5 HCSB).

No one had to tell Him what to do, He simply did it. He recognized the need and fulfilled it. As a servant, you see the need, you step out of your comfort zone, and you make it happen. Begin to realize that we are all servants of the Most High God and as such our role is to serve in whatever capacity the Lord assigns us to.

Think about how much more effective the church would be if every member was serving as Jesus revealed in this one act? Think about how many more lives the church could impact if every member simply recognized themselves as a servant and fulfilled the role without question, without anyone begging them to—everyone simple recognized what needs to be done and does it!

That is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ! A church of action—a church where every member is engaged in the everyday operation and ongoing work of the ministry. Jesus said to His disciples: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38 HCSB). Are you willing and ready to step up to the plate in service to the King?

Scripture Reading: “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I realize I shirk my responsibilities to You and to Your church much too often. I realize I see myself “higher up” than I should. Help me to recognize myself as the servant You have called me to be rather than an individual who stands around shouting orders all the time. Help me to be Christ-like in my attitude and my actions. Help me to reflect love and service rather than considering myself to be in charge of passing out the daily work roster. Lord, I want to be like Jesus; help me! I love You and thank You for being the perfect Example You always were. Help me to do likewise for those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray…AMEN!