Help Wanted

At TCF, we’ve made a considered and prayerful and we trust, obedient decision, before God, that we don’t want that kind of growth. But we do want God-given growth, not something that we have to generate by becoming something we’re not. We want this growth so that we have more laborers for this little corner of the harvest field called TCF.

One of the strengths of this church is our relationships – the longevity of our relationships – the fact that we’ve been together and work together and share our lives in Christ together, is a significant component in the reality that we have a strong core of committed Christians in this church. In that sense, we’ve experienced and continue to experience a growth in quality, quality of relationship with Christ, and with each other.

But this has not led to a corresponding growth in quantity – in the numbers of people attending this church. I’ve heard many people here say things like, “I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to come to TCF.” That’s because they’ve gained so much, and grown much in Christ in their years here. It’s because they’ve seen how this body ministers to one another in times of crisis. It’s because we have a genuine sense of family here.

Yet, there’s a practical reality at work. If God has called us as a church to release laborers into the harvest – it’s right there on your bulletin each week – whether that harvest is the med van ministry, the Good News Club, the overseas mission field, some other church ministry, or your own individual circle of influence, with neighbors, family, friends, or co-workers – how can we disciple, train and release people who aren’t part of us?

In that sense, we do care about numbers, because the work of the harvest that God has given us as a church takes people. It takes a certain number of people who are committed to going into the harvest as part of what we’re doing as a church, and as a personal commitment to the Lord, in whatever sphere of influence they’re in.

Last month, on one of those rare Sundays I’m out of town and not at TCF, apparently many people were gone that Sunday morning. I heard several remarks from elders and others about the low attendance, and there was a sense of discouragement. There’s a reality that when you’re not here, you’re missed. There’s an emotional component at work here, but it’s very real. Yes, we know that wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus name, God’s here then, too. Maybe that should be enough for us, but empty seats can feel discouraging in some ways.

Then, in the elders meeting that same week, we discussed the ongoing need for volunteer help with some key ministries. We’ve had a couple of open slots in the nursery for a few months now. We have need of more children’s church workers. We need more help with the Good News Club.