Some years back, I heard a sermon preached on how 20% of the people do 80% of the work in the Church.

“God is building an Army…not an audience!”

Reverend Buddy Bell

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 KJV

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

The Holy Spirit through Paul, after writing to the Corinthian Church about the Body of Christ, reveals that we are all members of that Body. Then He gives the ministry gifts that God has set in the Church. Now you read the whole verse right? You didn’t skip any of it?

The ministry of helps is an appointed position by God in the Church. It is just as spiritual, just as anointed with supernatural ability as an apostle. Some of us read this verse many times and simply read over this highly esteemed ministry. Some saw it and put down their highlighter and picked up a sharpie. Even many of the commentators speak of it as something for that time and that it is not for today. Helps is often referred to as,

“These were…”

“They might have been…”

“As instances of the former deacons…”

I have been to churches that had an abundance in their ministry of helps. I have been to some that had severe lack, others didn’t even have one. If you look at the verses that follow, you see that a series of questions are asked.

1 Corinthians 12:29-30 KJV

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Did you notice that, “Do all help”, is not there.  The helps ministry is the predominate part of the Body. The Master told His disciples, and us, that we should serve one another.

“An authentic servant empties himself of personal desire to be used as a tool in the hand of the one he serves.”

Reverend Marie Myers

So why is it there are not more stepping up to fill the ranks? Why are some content to drive to a building, sit and listen for a time, then go eat chicken before returning to their routine for another week. It has been my observation that it is because people lack understanding of the will of God concerning His highly esteemed ministry. They don’t know how to help. Where to start, or what they should be doing. The answer is so easy! Allow me to share my story and maybe it will help someone.

Once upon a time there was an apple tree. This apple tree produced big, luscious apples that were sold to a juice company. One Sunday on the way to evening service a mother bought her little girl apple juice. At the church the little girl spilled her juice right at the entrance to the sanctuary. I saw a man, his name was John. He looked busy as he rushed about preparing for the start of the service. He saw the girl spill her juice. I saw the girl spill her juice. John set everything aside to begin to assist the mother. I knew he had other things to do so I asked,

“Can I help?”

John looked at me for a few seconds then rushed off to return with a mop and an usher shirt.

The next week I was serving with the Custodial Team, and as an usher.

In a few weeks I was leading the Custodial Team.

In a few months I was the Head of Ushers.

In a year I was at Rhema Bible Training Center receiving training in the Ministry of Helps.

Several years later before moving away I was serving as the leader of several teams in the Helps Ministry.

All because a little girl spilled her juice and I asked,

“Can I help?”

Recently an instructor of mine asked for a one sentence summary of what I had learned concerning the Ministry of Helps. Here is my response.

“From my heart, with love I give my time and resources to make it easier for someone else to accomplish their calling in the edifying of the Body.”