Are you a pew warmer? That’s someone who feels their duty to God is giving up a day of rest to sit on a pew—usually the same one—each Sunday morning, where they may or may not have their name on a church membership roster. But they’re there, and their presence in the building is supposed to appease God—at least in their minds.
Don’t get in the way after the pastor says “Amen,” because you might get run over if you stand between them and their vehicle as they make a beeline to their armchair at home, or to the golf course, or wherever they go afterwards. They feel like their sacrifice of staying awake for Reverend Longwinded is accomplished. Sometimes they’re the folks who do whatever during the week, and feel their penance is that pew on Sunday mornings
As you grow in Christ and nourish His teachings in your heart, you know you have to put those teachings to work. I’ve had friends who wanted to know God on their own terms:
“I will do this service stuff …
… but not at a time that is inconvenient to me.
… and not for people I don’t know.
… and not for people who don’t look like me.
… and not those people who are too sick to know I’m serving them, because they can’t show me appreciation.
… and not for those who are locked up, because they deserve to be locked up.
… and not for those who are too poor, because they will expect more, and they’re poor because they are too lazy anyways—otherwise they wouldn’t be so poor.
… and not for those who are not in my church.”
So what’s left? Not much.
Service by its definition is a sacrifice, and a sacrifice is not a convenience. Think of the ultimate sacrifice made for you, which was beyond inconvenience. How much are you willing to sacrifice for someone you don’t know—but who needs your help? Service to God is not always out of comfort, and never in warming a pew, but is always service to others (read Matthew 25:31-46). When you sit on that pew and really listen, it should be your own personal pep rally to go out and do what you’re being taught to do. One of my Canadian brothers says it’s his “filling station.” I like that!
It’s fine to work in the church. I work with the children in my church, and I work with some fine people who will tell you, “this is my calling—working with the children.” But we are all called to step outside the building in service (read Matthew 28: 16-20). What an example you could be to the children, if you can show them what you teach them!
One cannot take Jesus everywhere if we do not go anywhere! Jesus didn’t stay inside the four walls of a building to accomplish His Father’s business. We need the saints to accompany us into the prisons, the nursing homes, under the interstate bridges, and show Jesus’s love everywhere there are wounded souls. Come with us in Kairos Prison Ministry. Come with us at Second Chance Mentoring. Not just to thump the Bible at folks you think are spiritually bankrupt compared to yourselves, but to share God’s love in action with some of His children. How do you expect to receive your blessing and witness angels among us if you are not among the angels here on Earth (read Hebrews 13: 1-3)?
The gifts you were given are to be used to His glory in His service, which is service to others!
I make this challenge to all of you who read this: Put feet to what you believe Christ stands for, and come with those of us who are out there in our walking shoes for Jesus!
