Sometimes, Getting To Use Expensive Toys Builds The Body. – MediaShout Monthly Devotional (March 2022)

March 2022

Sometimes, Getting To Use Expensive Toys Builds The Body.  

by John Kelley (The Backpacking Podcast)

“There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.”  –1 Corinthians 12:12-14

I’ve been in ministry for over 25 years. I’ve done children’s ministry, youth ministry, executive ministry, worship ministry, and engagement ministry. The ministry that really got me thinking about this scripture, however, was tech ministry.

Every Sunday, a group of around 7-10 volunteers come together to literally play with expensive toys. If that was all it was, this wouldn’t really make for a “ministry”. Instead, playing with these toys is actually helping to further the mission of the church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without sound amplification, most wouldn’t be able to hear the music or the word of God preached. Without someone running presentation software, People wouldn’t be able to sing along in worship. Without a light designer, we’d be sitting in the dark. Without cameramen, directors and producers, the online service wouldn’t be available to those who can’t worship with us live and need to watch the service online.

Each position on our tech team is essential, but different. Just as a body without feet can’t walk, our services wouldn’t be as impactful without these amazing volunteers.

Every week, I encourage our volunteers and let them know that they aren’t just volunteering in “entry level volunteer positions.” Instead, I let them know that, without them, we would struggle to continue in our mission of reaching the lost here, near, and far. (Acts 1:8) The ministry of our church is better, because of each of them. They are as much worship leaders as the people on the stage, because, without them, the people on that stage can’t do what they do well. It’s also become a community of volunteers who love each other and have each other’s backs. The tech ministry is a holy ministry in our church.

What does this mean for the church at large?

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

No ministry in the church is meaningless. No volunteer is worthless. The Church has so many moving parts, and with the craziness of the last two years, that couldn’t be more evident. Are you a coffee volunteer? Thank you for helping to build up the fellowship of our church. Are you a grounds person? Thank you for providing safety for our Church family when the weather goes south. Are you a greeter or usher? Thank you for making a person’s first visit a great experience.

Regardless of your “place” in the Church, you are a valuable, precious part of the mission of the Church. The body doesn’t just need the brain, heart and lungs. It also needs hands, feet, and ears. When one part of the body isn’t working right, the whole body suffers. So don’t devalue your place in the Church. Instead, remember….

“The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without. The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honor. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care. The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any. In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:22-27

You are important. You are necessary. You are needed.

About the author:

John Kelley is worship leader, speaker and YouTube personality from Nicholasville, KY. John has been in local Church ministry for over 25 years, and has had amazing opportunities to share God’s Word through music and speaking at conferences on the local and national level.  In 2016, he got the opportunity of a lifetime to climb the world’s tallest free standing mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, Africa while helping raise over $100,000 to builds wells in Ethiopia.  That trip changed his life forever.  Now John is also an adventurist and always looking for a new outdoor challenges.  This has led to John creating a YouTube channel all about backpacking, hiking, and gear, as well as a nationally renown podcast, The Backpacking Podcast.  In everything, John wants to show the light of Christ in all he does.