The Society Of Professional Bench-Warmers.

Minister Vivian Talbot took a moment from sharing his testimony to exhort us, as a community, to be fully engaged in the work of the Lord: "God did not save you in order for you to 'warm bench'."

Brother Vivian, you hit the nail right on the head.

For those of us at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, this was not a new word. Several of our pastors, over the past few years, have been led by God to exhort us to live out the mission and vision of our church in practical ways.

Our example is Christ Himself, who did not spend His earthly years seated in a room waiting for people to come to Him. Instead, He went to them. He walked miles upon miles, bringing hope, healing, and salvation to the people He encountered on the roads. He went to peoples' homes for meals and conversations. He attended weddings and religious festivals.

In light of our mission, Bronx Bethany cannot justify simply coming to church and warming the benches when God has called us to "respond practically and compassionately to human need in the name of Christ." The question of ministry has never been concerned with whether to go, because every believer of Christ Jesus is called to go (see The Great Commission, noted in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18). The question is, Where does God want me to go, and what does He desire for me to do?

We note in the book of Acts that the early church engaged in various ministry opportunities. Some people were itinerant preachers. Some were table-waiters, ensuring that local widows were fed. Some worked miracles of healing and deliverance. Some extended hospitality by opening their home to travelers. Some transacted in real estate and other sales, donating the proceeds to the church. Some were immersed in cross-cultural ministry. The early church was a dynamic, vibrant, moving church, and people served Jesus within the bounds of their specific callings and spiritual gifts.

Scripture warns each of us against being the type of person who, in light of the goodness and gifts our Master bestows, opts to do nothing (see The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30). The parable notes that bench-warmers are not only lazy, but also wicked, and have no place in God's eternal kingdom. Our loving God sent Brother Vivian to remind us, because we needed to be reminded: there is work for us to do.

Are you a worker, or a bench-warmer?

Lord, we long to be found living in joyful obedience to Your word. Inspire us to be glad doers of the works You have called us to do.