1 Corinthians 12:28 (New King James Version) And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Do you see it? Right in the middle of this verse is the word “helps.” One translation says, “those that can help others.” Another translation states, “those with the ability to help.”

Growing up, I idolized the ministry. At age eleven, God called me to preach, and I just knew that I would be the next big-time speaker at all the conferences and conventions. However, after informing my pastor that I was called to preach, he promptly put me to work cleaning up the sanctuary and bathrooms, picking up the song books, and emptying the trash. I figured he thought I said “janitor” instead of “preacher” - at least they both ended with the same grammatical sound. Now that I’m grown up, I realize the wisdom of my pastor and thank God daily that he did this to me and for me.

In 1 Corinthians 12:28, there are very noticeable offices listed. Seriously, you’re going to know who the apostle and prophet is in your church. The teacher is well known too. Those that God uses to perform His miracles are also well known, like those God uses to work healing. Then, almost seemingly out of place is this behind-the-scenes office - helps. But God thinks highly of those who are helpers, and without them, the church would be incomplete. This also means that EVERYONE has a purpose to fulfill in the church!

It is my very strong opinion that the job of the janitorial engineer of the church is just as important as the preaching delivering the message. Why? Because if Joe & Sally Guest come to the church and the toilet paper dispenser is empty and the soap dispenser doesn’t work, and the floors are dirty, and so on and so forth, I DON’T CARE HOW GOOD THE PREACHER PREACHES… Joe & Sally ain’t getting nothing out of the service! Now, that last sentence may not be grammatically correct, but it’s accurate none the less!

Everyone has a purpose in the kingdom of God. The church is likened unto a body in which there are many members (or parts). Just as your physical body has two arms and hands, two legs and feet, etc. so does the church have various parts that all work together in unity and love to bring edification to the whole body!

Imagine one day if your brain sent a signal to your right hand to pick the toothbrush, and your mouth said, “NO WAY! I want the left hand to do it.” Or, you’re reaching for the keys with your left hand, and your feet say, “Why can’t we grab the keys? Until you let us grab the keys, we aren’t walking anywhere!” You would wander what in the world was wrong with your body, and if you could get to the phone without another member of your body arguing or complaining or going on strike, you would call 911 and request IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE!

Does the previous paragraph sound too far-fetched and exaggerated? Maybe. Yet, it explains some church members who bicker and squabble over the dumbest things! “Until the pastor asks me to sing in the choir, I ain’t doing anything.” Or, “Why can’t I be the one the pastor recognizes? Until he recognizes me, I ain’t walking anywhere.”

The true church is a place to become. Everyone can and must have a part in reaching the world, no matter how visible or invisible their ministry is. Your body does some pretty amazing things, yet we rarely talk about the joints. It’s the hands and feet and the mouth and eyes that get most of the attention, yet without good joints, those hands are going to freeze up. Do you realize how much we need each other? If not, cut off your right hand and left foot and then let me know how much you miss them. I need you. You need me. Together in love and unity we can and will fulfill God’s divine purpose in our lives!