For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

When my husband and I graduated from the Air Force Academy, our pastor reminded us of the dual commissions we were stepping into. We were commissioning as second lieutenants, yes. But he charged us not to forsake our greater commission—the great commission. He encouraged us to think of ourselves as government-paid missionaries God was sending from assignment to assignment to make disciples. We set out from Colorado to Oklahoma, from Oklahoma to Texas, and from Texas to Florida determined to do just that. We dove into multiple serve teams, led Bible studies, and helped launch a new satellite campus.  

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But when we arrived in Alaska, I felt tired and overwhelmed. I made excuses: I just needed a short break, work schedules were too demanding, taking care of my baby was my ministry, etc. Over the next few years, I became comfortable with the anonymity of showing up to consume on Sunday mornings and then promptly slipping out after service without having contributed anything to the gathering. This routine I adopted doesn’t at all match the biblical picture of being part of a church.  

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In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes the local church as a community in which we are mutually encouraged by one another. To Paul, church wasn’t a place where a few leaders poured into the masses. Even though Paul served a very unique leadership role in the early church, he desired to gather with the Roman congregation not just to teach and strengthen them, but to be built up and encouraged by them. He recognized the Holy Spirit had given him spiritual gifts to share with other believers, but he knew his fellow Christians had also each been equipped in unique ways to serve and encourage one another.

After being an ACF attender and negligible contributor for three and half years, I stepped way out of my comfort zone and attended the ACF Ladies Retreat. That weekend, I encountered a community of women living out Paul’s vision of the church. The first friend I met was an elementary school teacher who had brought a vehicle full of guns and ammo to share with those who wanted to spend their free time at the shooting range. I learned that during Wednesday and Sunday gatherings, she helped lead the life and safety team at ACF. I met a stay-at-home mom who led a breakout seminar at the retreat and helped out on the production team. I met students on the hospitality team, an engineer who led worship, and so many more women from different walks of life bringing different gifts to encourage one another.  

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I saw the event as a big patchwork quilt made beautiful and functional by the joining of many smaller pieces. I remember thinking, “This is so cool. These women aren’t just showing up–they are letting God use them to make this whole thing happen!” I was no longer content to hoard what was being poured into me. Upon returning from Victory Bible Camp, I joined the ACF worship team. Church was no longer just something I showed up to on Wednesday or Sunday, it was something I helped make happen. My small contribution, my one piece of the quilt, is joined with the faithful, Spirit-led efforts of so many others to advance God’s kingdom in Alaska.    

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Paul’s missionary journeys sent him on laps all around the Mediterranean. As an Air Force family, our military travels have brought us from one tip of this content to the other. In a few months, we will criss-cross back again to land in Virginia. This time, I am setting out with that Romans 1:11-12 mindset. I’m not seeking a church where I can have all my needs met. I am praying God will lead us to a community where I can help meet needs, where I can encourage and be encouraged, where I can use the spiritual gifts God has given me to serve and strengthen the body.  

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Have you approached church as a consumer or as a contributor? When I wasn’t regularly serving, I sometimes found church attendance to be a chore. But once I became part of what was happening each week, church became something I was excited to show up to. I met others who were serving. I made friends who encouraged me and also found purpose in being able to encourage others! There are so many different ways to be a part of what God is doing at ACF. If you haven’t served before or have fallen out of the habit, join us this week at one of our four services to figure out how you can be part of the team!

Jesus, thank you for establishing your church and inviting me to be part of your family. Holy Spirit, thank you for the unique ways you have equipped me to serve and strengthen those around me. Father, thank you for sovereignly guiding my steps and planting me right where I am in this season. Please open my eyes to see how you are at work around me and where I can partner with you. I want to faithfully serve you and your people from your goodness, through your power, and for your glory, Lord, amen.