From Spectators to Servants: The Call to Participatory Christianity

In his book Not Too Old, David Faust recounts the story of the writer George Plimpton, renowned for his writing about sports.

By the time he died in 2003, at age 76, Plimpton had experienced “an amazing variety of adventures.”

He boxed against Sugar Ray Robinson and Archie Moore, who gave him a bloody nose. He trained with the Detroit Lions’ football team, played golf with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, and pitched less than one inning in an exhibition baseball game.

Plimpton believed that a writer should immerse himself in his subject and thus called himself a “participatory journalist.”

Faust observed that we need folks like that in the church, “participatory Christians.” To be active, not passive. Who are not merely hearers of the Word, but doers (Jas. 1:25). Who do more than believe or belong, but are busy about the Father’s business.

As one religious writer expressed it, “Christianity is not a spectator sport. It is a spiritual warfare that we are soldiers under the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.” Indeed, Christianity is more than attending a Sunday service—it is about actively engaging in the church’s work, contributing to its mission, and building up the community of believers.

The apostle Peter speaks to this issue specifically and directly in 1 Peter 4:10. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Think of some ways in which you can use your gifts, talents, and skills for the Lord’s work.

• Teaching and discipleship training
• Hospitality and fellowship
• Outreach and evangelism
• Service and care ministries
• Stewardship and giving
• Servant leadership
• Small group leaders
• Administrative and support roles
• Welcoming and greeting visitors
• Worship leaders
• Mentoring younger Christians
• Senior citizen ministries
• Building maintenance
• Bookkeeping and treasury roles
• Visitation ministry
• Benevolence ministry

Of course, in addition to these specific roles, every Christian can not only attend worship services but also individually engage in enthusiastic, heartfelt worship. Study for Bible classes and offer feedback. And encourage others who serve in a different capacity.

Being a participatory Christian moves one beyond receiving to giving, beyond a consumer mentality to serving others, and beyond just being on the membership roll to finding one’s role and responsibility in the Kingdom. Such involvement calls for conviction, commitment, and consecration. It may also require us to step outside our comfort zone to experience a more meaningful fellowship and engage in greater spiritual service.

For some Christians, their age, health, and other restrictions may limit what they can do. For them, their attendance and participation in the worship service may serve as an encouragement to fellow Christians. I recall when my Mom’s health declined, she couldn’t drive or be involved in hospitality or other ministries, but she said, “I can still go to church.” Her presence as she entered the building, pushing her walker, brought a smile to other members and encouraged them.

If the church is to be the healthy, flourishing, and growing Body of Christ described in Ephesians 4:11-16, each one must make that move from a spectator to a participatory Christian, working together for God’s glory.

As D. L. Moody once observed, “Church work is not for a few trained workers, but for every man and woman who belongs to Christ. We are not saved to be ornaments in God’s showcase, but instruments in His service.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman