How Do We Recognize Our Role in the Church?

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” (Acts 6:2–3)

Today’s big question: how do we recognize our role in the church?

Every Christian has a role in the church because we are all part of the body of Christ. Each member helps make up the whole, and if one member hurts, the whole body shares that pain (1 Corinthians 12:26). We support each other while serving our risen Savior Jesus Christ—who is the Head of the body—and everyone has a part to play.

Paul illustrated this truth when he stated, “The whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). Jesus does not select just a few members of His body to fulfill His command to make disciples; Christ uses everyone to accomplish His purposes.

In today’s passage, the apostles were busy following God’s calling to study and teach the Word, and they did not have time to serve tables (i.e., caring for people with physical needs such as food). Rather than doing this task themselves, they asked the brethren to find some godly Christian men who could handle it.

Both jobs were important, but the apostles were dedicated to prayer and the teaching of God’s Word. They recognized the need for everyone to work together toward the same goal. If the apostles did not delegate the task of serving tables their particular calling would suffer.

We are all called to various tasks according to our God-given abilities, passions, and desires. If we try to do too much, we will be unable to do our best at anything. No matter what role we fill, we are serving God first and foremost. Everything we do should be done as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17). Determining our part in the body requires acknowledging God in all things, and He will lead us as we follow Him.

Are you doing your best? Could you be doing better in another role? Prayerfully consider your part in the body of Christ. No matter if you are a pastor, evangelist, teacher, etc., we all work toward the time when “we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

Today’s big idea: all Christians should be involved in the work of God’s ministry.

What to pray: ask God to help guide you as you consider your role in the body.