When I turned 35, I decided to start getting a yearly physical. It wasn’t that anything was wrong, at least that I could tell. I just wanted to make sure that even the parts I couldn’t see were still working well. For the body to function properly, all the parts must be working—both the seen and unseen. Initially, healthy parts can compensate for a malfunctioning part, but over time the entire body will suffer and deteriorate.

In I Corinthians 12:12, the apostle Paul wrote, “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” When we entered the Christian life by placing our faith in Christ, God united us with others who have done the same. We became partners forever in this spiritual body called the Church.

That word picture really resonates with me. Just as our earthly bodies suffer if one part is not working properly, so it is with the body of Christ. Each of us depends on the ministry of others, and each of us has a unique function. If anyone fails to serve, the whole body suffers. On the other hand, when we fulfill our unique roles, the Church thrives. Our worship is enhanced, our fellowship is strengthened, and we grow in our love for God.

This is why Stonebriar calls those who serve “ministry partners,” rather than “volunteers.” No matter what your age, skills, or area of service, God has made you a partner in the work of this body. Your service—whether working with children, helping with parking, preparing visitor packets, praying, or teaching a class—is not “voluntary.” It is a necessity!

ProjectServe, Stonebriar’s online clearinghouse of service opportunities, lists dozens of service opportunities. Click here to see the current list.