RSVPing to Bring in the Harvest
We admit it was an very different morning this past Sunday when we arrived in the Kerith Centre! Thankfully it wasn’t a volunteers’ strike but an opportunity to appreciate the impact of all our committed ministry teams by seeing what it would look like if there was no one serving on them.
The Shodipos: Tai, Adeola, Zachary and Josiah sharing with Jo Foster, our Bracknell Children’s Pastor.
Amongst a number of our community who shared this past Sunday about their experience in volunteering, as well as the benefits of being recipients of this sacrificial service, were Tai and Adeola Shodipo, along with their two sons. They both serve on our Kids Team, with Adeola volunteering to bless our babies whilst Tai helps out on both the Traffic Team and with our Years 5 and 6. He followed up in the week by sharing an encouraging message with Beccy and me, and we’re delighted to share it with the rest of our church family:
The Workers Are Few: Rethinking the Harvest
When we read or hear the scripture, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few," our minds almost instinctively jump to world missions and soul-winning (see Matt 9:35-38). While that is a beautiful truth, there is another layer to this parable that we often overlook.
The "Harvest Field" isn't just the world or local communities; it is also includes the Body of Christ. It includes those already saved, the new believers, and the daily needs of our spiritual home.
The Work of the Season
Harvesting is a verb- it requires action. Just as a physical harvest requires someone to roll up their sleeves, our church community requires "work" to thrive. In the context of our local church, the harvest represents our service and volunteering.
Every harvest has preconditions. In church ministry:
The Cultivators prepare the soil of the heart.
The Planters share the Word.
The Waterers provide discipleship and prayer.
But eventually, the crop is ready, and that is where the Harvesters come in. This is the practical service that keeps the church moving forward.
A Collective Effort, Not a Daily Burden
One of the biggest misconceptions about volunteering is that it has to be an "every Sunday" commitment that leads to burnout. But the harvest time generally follows a pattern; and it’s a focused effort.
Your "harvest work" in the church doesn't have to be Sunday. It might be:
Once a month on the greeting team.
Twice a month in the children’s ministry.
Once every six weeks helping with community outreach.
When we view service this way, we see it as a collective effort. If everyone picks up a sickle and joins the field, the weight doesn't fall on just one or two people.
The Call to Action
The reality remains the same today as it did 2,000 years ago: The labourers or workers are few. There are tasks to be done, seats to be filled with helping hands, and new believers who need the support that only a dedicated "workman" can provide. The harvest of our service is plentiful, and there is a place in the field specifically reserved for you.
Will you join the effort?
Reflection Question
What is one small way you can volunteer your time this month to help bring in the harvest within your own church family?
Thank you for sharing, Tai!
So here’s reiterating his reflection question: “what’s that small way you can contribute to bringing in the harvest?” Would you like to explore what that might look like by expressing an interest? Please follow this link below.
Pelumi and Beccy
Bracknell Site Pastors