The 10%

Did you grow up in a traditional church that had committees, choirs, Sunday school teachers, and program leaders? Do you remember the regular plea of the pastor for more workers, and the regular write-ups and sign-ups in the church bulletin for folks to fill ministry needs? And when all was said and done, it seemed that about 10% of the church members did 90% of the work.

I guess working to build God’s church across the ocean in a far away place among a people of a different culture doesn’t change that formula. We have simplified ‘church’ to the point that we don’t have committees, choirs, Sunday school teachers, or program leaders. What we need are more responsible Filipinos who are willing to lead small groups of new believers in growing in their relationship with God, to communicate with Him, worship Him, and learn about Him.

In the past 3 years, we have seen hundreds baptized, form groups, and come to hear. But we have only seen a few who are willing to be “doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1). Jesus said, “…teach them to DO all that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28). So my prayer request is simple. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will give us doers, not hearers only. Make the 10% become the 90%!

But the word ‘doer’ needs to be understood. This is not a coercion to duty, but an invitation to joy. To ‘do’ for the Lord is to discover a purpose in life beyond ourselves, and to experience a fulfillment beyond anything this world can offer. “Thou will make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16).

In his book, What Jesus Demands from the World, John Piper says that he never asks a person, “Do you believe in Jesus?” Everyone believes in Jesus, even the drunkard down the street. So instead he asks, “Do you treasure Jesus?” What a difference! “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth” (Psalm 73). Is Jesus and our walk with God more precious to us than family, friends, entertainment, investments, health, job, sports, music, food, pleasure, hobbies, retirement?

So maybe I need to revise my prayer request. “Lord, open the eyes of the peoples’ hearts that they may know Your love, feel your joy, and see Your glory. Give us people who treasure You more than anything on earth. Amen.”