04.06.06 The 2nd Key for Adding Value to Your Church

2. Be Sensitive to the Needs of your Church

Back in the days, powered speakers were not only rare but worth a fortune. But as God would have it, we had managed to acquire a Mackie Speaker, which was one of our most treasured possessions. Along with it came our expensive Korg Triton, another fabulous keyboard which had just hit the international scene at that time. However no sooner had the equipment landed than we noticed that our church, Calvary Temple-TAG, was experiencing a shortage of speakers; and believe you me, offering our precious speaker for use during some of the church services was a huge decision on our part. But we willingly did! The same happened when we shifted to Dar, only that this time it was the Korg Triton that we offered for use at Dar es Salaam Pentecostal Church although it actually got spoilt there. A Shalom member had to repair it during his visit to Dar, after which he requested that he takes it with him to Uganda as the band needed a good keyboard at that time. That was how we responded to some of the needs of the music ministry in those two churches albeit at different times.

On reading Lydia’s story, we see that she promptly responded to the needs of the early Philippian church by offering her home as headquarters and meeting place to Paul, his co-workers and the new congregation (Acts 16:15). In addition, she must have made sure that there were enough chairs, tables, cups and all the gadgets that were used back in the day, such that the church was adequately equipped for ministry.

A value-adding church member is sensitive to the needs of her church; and contributes towards addressing them as the Spirit leads.

Therefore, take time to identify the needs of your church and see where you can fit in, then set out to support and meet those requirements. A conventional list is quite long, thereby offering several windows for you to find where you fall. For example, there is teaching as well as supporting the ministry to children, the youth, the men, the women and the marrieds. You can also volunteer in administrative activities or participate in new or improvement projects. There is visiting the believers including those that have recently received newborns, those that have been bereaved or are facing challenges such as ill-health and so forth. You can also contribute to the food basket for the needy and other items such as clothing, equipment and other items that some people lack. There is inviting people to church and publicising the church brand directly to your workmates, on social media platforms, your car, or even posting articles on the church website. You could incorporate the church in your real-life stories. There is sharing job openings with church members without compromising your organisation’s conflict of interest policy. You could also meet in small groups to have fun, chill, hang out and network. Some women write small prayers for those going through rough patches of life and share them on WhatsApp. Others organise outdoor events and invite church friends while some prepare finger food items to take to church on Sundays. There are some who volunteer to look after babies so that a young couple can go out for a date. The list is endless. However, note that almost all those options will require your time. You may also need to contribute some financial resources. So, be prepared to sow a seed.

Did you know that God desires that we add value to fellow church members by ‘playing the role of a supporting ligament’?. We learn this from Ephesians 4:16 which says (AMPC): For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by thejoints and ligamentswith which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. Therefore, be ready to support and carry the burdens of your sisters and brothers in the Lord. Never discriminate between people (James 2:1-6; Romans 12:16).