How do you work in your church?

Or, more on target, should I ask "do any of us show the attributes of any of these animals?"

I just received the following in an email. I do not know the author, but what profound knowledge this person has about the 'interior' of a church!

• "Some church members are as stubborn as a Missouri mule about doing church work, but as sly as a fox in their own business deals; as busy as a bee in spreading the latest gossip, but as quiet as a mouse in spreading the gospel of Christ. Many are as blind as a bat to see the needs of others, but have eyes of a hawk to see the faults of a few. Some are as eager as a beaver about a barbecue, but as lazy as a dog about the prayer meetings. Some will roar like a lion when things do not go just to suit them, but they are as gentle as a lamb when they need the preacher of the church. Some are as noisy as a blue jay when calling on the church for advice, but as timid as a kitten about talking to the lost and as slow as a snail about visiting absentees and shut-ins. Many are night owls on Saturday nights, but "bed bugs" Sunday mornings and as scarce as hen's teeth on Wednesday nights."

There are so many animals named in that one paragraph that 'work' in a church!

1. Mule
2. Fox
3. Bee
4. Mouse
5. Bat
6. Hawk
7. Beaver
8. Dog
9. Lion
10. Lamb
11. Blue Jay
12. Kitten
13. Snail
14. Night Owl
15. Bed Bugs
16. Hen's teeth

Hopefully, none of our churches have all these animals in them. Otherwise, our church wouldn't exist. But, I'd be wrong if I said the church of today doesn't harbor some of these 'animals' amongst us. We become complacent in our every day walk and fail to pray or go to meetings other than Sunday morning, thinking that will get us through the week. I've missed on Sunday night and Wednesday night and feel like I've been out forever!

There are those that are right handy to be at the next Church outing/meal, etc., but only come on the days there is to be a big meal. And, then there are those that really want to 'run the church' and make noise if all doesn't go their way. But, they aren't quiet when they need the preacher to come visit! I've seen these things happen time and time again.

What we need in our churches today are those that are true warriors for Christ: prayer warriors, intercessors, and those not afraid to help where help is needed. Many want help, but never want to give help. I believe that it's just as important a job to be janitor for the church and clean the toilets as it is to serve on any other job. It takes the whole body to make up the true church. And the 'whole body' should be willing to do what is necessary to help the church grow both spiritually and in numbers. When we have gossipers that spread the bad news, it gets around. Nobody wants to go to a church where you have lots of 'loose tongues'.

If a church has all those 'animals' in it's congregation, perhaps the thing to do would be to corral them all up on the front row and preach the Word to them! Seriously, we need to pray for the 'health' of our church - for the people to see the light of God through the Word preached, and for the Holy Spirit to enlighten them as they read for themselves. Then, perhaps it would weed out the 'sin' in our hearts,and our church could become healthy and more on the fire for the Lord!!

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