The Preachers Desk

What Can I Do? ... We often hear the question asked, “what can I do?” You may remember playing baseball. To play a game there had to be players, coaches, umpires, statisticians, groundskeepers, announcers, fans, even someone to clean up afterward. Everyone seemed to be happy to do their job, even if it was remembering to bring the bubblegum. There’s no game with just players. As you read this I exhort you to remember that it is no different in the Lord’s church. All have a part to play, all have a job to do, all are
important (1 Cor. 12:14-18). Ask the question, “What can I do to make the work of the church a success?”

Market our congregation’s website. Our e-mail program will allow us to create mailing lists for announcements, etc. If everyone in the congregation did this it would go a long way toward making sure everyone knows about us. You might also buy a stamp with the web address on it and stamp all of your bill envelopes with it. Someone will see it. There may be other opportunities that you have that I cannot see. Search these out and use them to get the word out about our congregation.

Then, let us get serious about distributing tracts. We have tracts available in the foyer for you to use. I’m talking about going a little farther than that. It doesn’t cost all that much to buy a hundred of a title every month for the purpose of distributing them. Stamp them on the back with the congregation’s physical address and web address and hand them out. I know it feels weird doing it but it will propel you forward to the day when you’ll actually be able to talk to others about the plan of salvation. Give them to people you know. Mail them to your neighbors. (It’s against the law to put things in other’s mailboxes.) Go downtown and hand them out on the sidewalk. In most cities it’s not unusual for there to be someone handing out tracts downtown. Stand up straight, have a smile on your face and look like everyone should want what you have to offer. Most people are nicer than you think. It’s easier if you don’t go alone, even if your partner doesn’t participate but will stand nearby. Don’t put the tracts under windshield wipers or go to private property (malls, strip centers, etc.) to hand them out. Treat the tract like a gift. For this purpose choose titles that introduce the church of Christ, give the plan of salvation or that give information about a major topic of interest (ask the leaders of your congregation).

Visit the elderly and shut-ins. Edify them. Perhaps they have physical needs you can fill or you can let an elder or deacon know if you can’t. You’ll be a very appreciated person. These things are things that, I believe, could make a huge difference if more participated. They don’t take any training, don’t require supervision and will have eternal consequences. Let’s all go to work in the kingdom. -Adapted/jhd-