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When I was a child I sang in children's choirs at my church. This continued as I got older and began playing trumpet along with the hymns on Sunday evenings. As I entered the youth group I began helping on a bus that went around to various neighbourhoods to pick children up for Sunday School. I began playing guitar for our youth group music team. I was regularly and actively contributing in the life of my church. As a result, it always felt like it was my church - not just my parents church or a place I was dragged to. My contribution fostered a sense of belonging. Later on, when my contribution was rejected, it felt like I was rejected . . . that I didn't belong anymore.

Looking back through my life I see a consistent pattern where my sense of belonging was directly connected to my level of contribution. This has been true in churches, in schools, and in volunteer settings. Where my contribution has been welcomed, I've felt belonging. Where it has been rejected, I have felt like I didn't belong. I am not unique in this regard. In the 1980's some psychologists discerned four factors that lead to a sense of community. The second factor is influence. People feel a sense of community when they feel that their input matters within the community - when they contribute to the life of the community. One consulting firm calls it the "contributing-belonging cycle". Contribution feeds belonging.

The Bible affirms this contribution/belonging connection. In 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul talks about the body being made up of many parts and each one being important. He says, "Now you (plural) are the body of Christ, and each one of you (singular) is a part of it." This is shared in the context of talking about gifts and contribution within the church. To belong to the body is to use your gifts to contribute to its life and health.

Okay . . . here's the caveat. I know there are many good reasons why individuals may not be contributing in the life of a church at any given moment. People may find themselves in times of physical, emotional, or spiritual pain and they need time for healing. Others may have developed unhealthy patterns of overcommitment and have burned themselves out. Some people are attending church, but aren't sure if they can get involved if they aren't sure about Jesus. There are times and situations where contribution is not the best thing.

BUT, those are not normative situations. The normal reality for people within the community of Jesus is that they will be contributing. Contributing is one of the primary ways in which belonging develops. It breaks my heart when I see people attend Covenant for a year and then slip away, when they've never gotten involved. It is even more saddening to see people who've been connected for decades disconnect from involvement and then slowly drift away.

Why is it sad? Why do I love to see people involved in the life of the church? Yes . . . it helps ministry go smoother because the load is shared among more people. But that isn't the main reason I want to see you involved! I love to see people involved in the life of the church because it is through that contribution that the church becomes their church. Serving alongside others shifts relationships from "someone they know" to "someone they love." It helps transition church from a place I go to a people I belong to.

As we start 2017 I want to encourage you to prayerfully consider where you could contribute to the life of your church. Perhaps you're receiving this and you don't go to Covenant. Don't just attend the services at your church! You are robbing yourself of belonging and the community of your contribution. If you are at Covenant find a place to plug in! We have many opportunities to serve. Here are several:

  • Running the computer or sound board on Sunday mornings during the services.
  • Teaching or helping with children's ministry. (This is an urgent and important need!)
  • Coordinating our library.
  • Preparing and cleaning up coffee on Sunday mornings on a rotational basis.
  • Clearing the snow off of our sidewalks. (We have a fancy snowblower you'd get to play with!)
  • Performing maintenance and repairs around the church.
  • Partnering with Kyle in mentoring and leading our youth ministry. (Wednesday or Sunday evenings)
  • Helping with administration in the office or with specific ministries.
  • Praying with a group of others on Tuesday mornings at Covenant.
  • Joining with a small team to help discern a global missions connection for Covenant.
  • Working with a team to plan and host Fellowship/social events at Covenant.
  • Enhancing our communication and media presentations.

How has God gifted and wired you to serve? Does one of these areas resonate with your gifts, joys, and time availability? Let me know which and I can connect you with the ministry leaders. If you aren't sure where you'd fit, perhaps you would like to connect with someone for a conversation that could help you figure it out. Contact me and we can connect you with someone to coach you through a discernment process.

Your worth and value to Jesus is not measured by your contribution. He loves you and we love you regardless of how much or how little you do. But he created you to belong and, if Covenant is the right church home for you, we want you to truly belong. Connecting through contribution is a great way to foster your belonging!