Have you ever tried to complete a jigsaw puzzle only to discover right at the end that one piece is missing? It’s so frustrating, isn’t it? You’ve spent hours sorting edges, matching colours, celebrating small victories as sections come together. Then, just as you’re about to place the final piece, you realise it’s gone. Probably eaten by the dog or sucked up by the hoover. The entire picture is marred by that one missing piece.

That’s exactly what happens when you’re missing from church.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12

Notice Paul doesn’t stop at listing the “important” ministries. He goes on to explain that these visible roles exist to equip all God’s people for works of service. Every single person has a part to play.

I learned this lesson the hard way during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the various lockdowns, I suddenly became solely responsible for managing our finances, count the income, balancing the banking reports, and paying the money into the bank. I quickly discovered that our treasurer and secretary did much “behind the scenes” that we sometimes take for granted.

Here’s what I’ve noticed: we often divide church ministries into important and unimportant categories. Preaching? Important. Playing in the band? Important. Making sure the toilets have loo paper? Well... Maybe not so important, we think. But try running a church without toilet paper and see how quickly priorities shift!

The truth is every act of service matters because we’re interconnected. The person who makes sure the heating is on enables the leader to lead without frozen fingers. The one who hoovers the hall creates a welcoming space for newcomers. The faithful soul who brews the tea and makes the coffee facilitates fellowship and pastoral conversations that happen over warm mugs.

I think about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. The Son of God, on his knees with a towel, doing the job of the lowest servant. If he didn’t consider any task beneath him, who are we to create hierarchies of service?

But here’s what truly breaks my heart: so many Salvationists and Christians remain spectators. They attend, they observe, they consume, sometimes they even criticise, but they never contribute. Maybe they think they have nothing to offer. Maybe they’re waiting to be asked. Maybe they’ve been hurt before and are protecting themselves.

If that’s you, can I gently say to you today – we need you. We’re incomplete without your contribution. That thing you think is too small, too insignificant. It might be exactly what someone needs. Your willingness to stack chairs might free up someone else to have a life-changing conversation. Your gift for administration might bring order to chaos. Your simple presence might be the only Jesus someone sees this week.

The beautiful picture God is creating through his church has a you-shaped hole in it. Will you take your place?

Prayer: Father, forgive us for creating hierarchies where you see you’re your beloved children serving together. Show us where we fit in your grand design, and give us courage to offer what we have, however small it seems. Amen.

Reflection Question: What “behind the scenes” ministry has been effective in your spiritual journey, and how could you serve similarly?