“I’m not included”
"I am just not included at church; I am given no part." If true, that is sad. That’s not God's intent. God designed a local church to depend on one another. He expects all to contribute to the good of the whole (Eph. 4:16). Thus, in God's design "every part may grow up in all things" (Eph. 4:15). The aim is to "present every man perfect in Christ" (Col. 1:28). If that is not the intent, something is seriously wrong.
God himself has designed a place and a job for each person. "God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased" (1 Cor. 12:18). There are no unnecessary or useless body parts. Maybe we misunderstood what that part is. Maybe we want the part that "pleases" us rather than the part that pleases Him!
"I am not included" often means "I don’t get asked to lead singing." Wait! Who said you must lead singing to be involved? Is plain pew singing not involvement? Is the voice in the crowd not "included?" Some may sing quietly, but they sing! — as God expects. They are not excluded because they don’t lead singing. What about women? They never lead singing. Are they excluded?
Did "I am not included" mean "I was not asked to lead public prayer"? Must all lead public prayer? Surely not! Must all participate in prayer? Absolutely! This explains the need for everyone to understand each prayer and to be able to say "Amen" (1 Cor. 14:16). Their "Amen" is the door for their involvement in that prayer. Again, women do not lead public prayer; are they uninvolved?
"I am not involved" may translate " I am not asked to preach." Where did such an idea originate? Are we only involved if we are "up front"? Learning and listening is a part on its own. Does a comment or question in class not qualify as involvement? Certainly it does. Not all preach. God excluded women from preaching (1 Tim. 2:12). New converts should not preach. The ill-informed should not preach. Those with a bad attitude or character problems should not preach. Yet, all these must be included in the church's instruction process.
"Running things," is often confused with being involved. Being "up front," "in the public eye," "the center of attention," becomes all important. Wait!! Remember, every member of the body doesn’t have the same job. “Up front" may not be your job! Because you are not the "boss," or the "mouth" does not mean you have no part! But rather, maybe you are a "helping hand." Consider a role like the family of Stephanas who "devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints" (1 Cor. 16:15). Who prevents you from doing that? Get involved like widows who "washed the saints' feet, relieved the afflicted" (1 Tim. 5:10). Who objects? What about imitating Dorcas who was "full of good works and charitable deeds" (Act. 9:36-39)? Or Phoebe who was a "servant of the church in Cenchrea" and who was "indeed ... a helper of many" (Rom. 16:1,2). Is that being involved? Mend and heal those "overtaken in a fault" (Gal. 6:1). Who excludes you?
Maybe we just expected a different involvement! Beware of pride that disdains the small and unglamorous roles. Do what you can, no matter what it is. There is plenty you can do, and no one will object. Do what you are asked to do, no matter what. Volunteer to help! Participate in assemblies, whether leading or following. Contribute to Bible studies, from a seat or the podium. Exhort and encourage brethren whether privately or publicly. Support the weak, comfort the discouraged, reprove the wayward (1 Thess. 5:14). There is a lot of important work for us all to do.
I guarantee you there is room enough to be involved, up to your ears.
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