The Apostle of Sawdust

“Thanks for doing ministry,” the Pastor’s wife said. She laughed, “You won’t get in the newspaper.”

Jim didn’t care. His immediate concern was not getting too much sawdust on the carpet. And making sure the deadbolts he had installed worked: “Just right.”

What about the ministry he was doing?

The Bible says: “It was Jesus who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.”

So where does Jim fit in? Is he the Apostle of Sawdust?

How about Susie? She volunteers two afternoons a week at a ministry which provides free clothing. One of her duties is hanging up used underwear. Maybe she’s The Used-Underwear Evangelist.

And then there’s Jake. He’s been Chaplain at the jail for…well kind of forever. Church groups come and go. He’s still there. Inmates come. “Get saved.” Return another time. Get saved again. They backslide repeatedly. Jake’s still there. Guess he’s Pastor Backslide. But he’s still there.

How about John? Electrician by trade—always willing to donate his skills. Quietly, efficiently offering his time. Usually in a backroom or the attic. He must be the Teacher of Electricity.

Then there’s Steve. He sold his place on the river, moving into a semi-dilapidated commercial building. His entire reason was to provide a meeting place for those with alcohol addiction. But many times no one shows up at his meetings. He presses on, even as he struggles personally.

Steve? The No-Show Prophet?

A few verses past the above verse, it says: “From Jesus the whole body, joined together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love. As each part does its work.”

“In love…as each part does its work.” This is Jim, Susie, Jake, John and Steve.

Is it you?