"IF I CAN DO ANYTHING ..."

How often have you said, "If I can do anything to help, let me know"? I seriously doubt two things. I seriously doubt any adult knows how many times he or she has said that. Is there even one of us who has never made that statement? All of us say that to a friend when he or she is in unusual need, circumstances, pain, or loss.

Would you say that to this congregation? Would you say to the elders, "If I can do anything to help, let me know"? Many have. Many do. Many would.

If they asked, "Can you give $1,000,000 to help the congregation address this situation?" many of us could not. If they asked, "Can you be a missionary in Southeast Asia?" many of us could not. If they asked, "Can you take full responsibility in coordinating Sunday morning's children's worship?" many of us could not. If they asked, "Can you assume full responsibility in a public teaching role?" many of us could not.

When we make that offer sincerely, we willingly will do anything within our ability. When asked to do something not within our ability, we sincerely regret that we cannot help. We want to help, but we literally are not able to respond to the request.

If you were able to do something significant that blessed the health and life of the congregation, would you do it? If the congregation or elders asked for something (1) easily within your ability, (2) of no personal cost to you, but (3) of immense value to this congregation, would you do it?

Two things are within everyone's ability, of no personal cost, and of immense value to the health and life of this congregation.

You, or you and your family, can have your picture made for the directory. A new member or new convert wants and needs nothing more than a pictorial directory. We all need and want it. The more complete it is, the more useful it is. It cannot be complete without your picture in it.

We can all pray for God to guide us, our process, and our elders as we seek additional shepherds for the congregation. We can all pray for God's Spirit to work freely in our hearts. We can all pray for God to guide us to the leaders that He wants.

"If there is anything I can do to help the congregation, let me know." Have your picture made for the directory. Pray fervently for God's guidance as we seek shepherds.

David Chadwell

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Bulletin Article, 21 May 2000

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