Every now and again I will hear someone speak of a famous athlete who has acted in an immature or arrogant manner in words such as this: “The game (of baseball, basketball etc.) is bigger than any one individual.”
This is even more true of the church. When God establishes something, it is forever. His kingdom is a long, never-ending river reaching to eternity. When we play a part in the church, we have merely stepped into the stream for a moment.
No preacher, however charismatic or brilliant, will save the church. The church already has a savior. No young person will be able to enlighten the church; Jesus, the head of the church has already thought of everything there is to think. No human being is essential to the church’s health and growth; the church is utterly dependent on another.
I have now served seven congregations in a more-or-less full time capacity (yes, I am that old). Those churches were God’s people before I came, and they continued to be God’s people when I left (well, I haven’t left the seventh yet).
As one author ruefully recalled an older church member telling him: “Son, God was at work here before you arrived; he will be working here in spite of you while you are here; and he will even survive you when you have gone” (Harvie Conn, Planting and Growing Urban Churches, 172).
Jesus said it this way:
“On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, ESV).
I hear visiting preachers say, “Thank you for asking me to come. It is a privilege to serve the church here in (whatever town it is).” Make no mistake, serving the Lord’s church is always a privilege, a higher honor cannot be given! We are privileged to serve the church regardless of our capacity. If you teach children, are a deacon, clean the pews or preach the gospel, you do profoundly important work. You do it for the most important organization in history. You do it at God’s pleasure.
When I die, the church will still be God’s church. I do not own it, I did not build it, I did not purchase it. Serve the Lord who loved the church, and tremble at the greatness of his cause.