“This bag has a meat lasagne and a vegetarian lasagne, and this one has potato and leek soup, and some extra vegetable broth in case it’s too thick.”
After a week where all three of our kids had been sick with a horrible virus, we were so grateful to have a nutritious meal dropped off to our doorstep. While I never really expect to be cared for in this way by members of our church, it also doesn’t entirely come as a surprise. Especially when it comes from the hand of one of those I like to think of as our champions.
Who Are Our Champions?
My husband and I have been at three different churches since we began pursuing ministry full-time. At each of these churches there have been special people that I have felt to be truly on our side, rooting for us, both as people and as ministers. There isn’t a set formula for these people, and they can only be identified over time as they turn up and speak up. They are often those who buy into the ministries that my husband is running, such as a Bible study or service team. They are those who are fully on board, however new or unfamiliar the ministry might be to them. When I talk to them, they build up my husband, they don’t use me to triangulate any uncomfortable feelings they might have. At one church, it was the busy working couple with kids who nevertheless prioritised inviting us over for dinner. Sometimes our champions have been retirees; sometimes they have been university students.
The New Testament gives examples of champions in the early church, too. For example, the new Philippian convert Lydia shows hospitality to Paul and his companions (Acts 16:15). A quick look at the final greetings in Paul’s letters shows a list of people who are mentioned by name because they are friends and supporters of him and his ministry (Col 4:7–18; 2 Tim 4:19–22). 1 Corinthians 12 teaches that there are many different gifts that God has given to equip the church. Not everyone will be a full-time gospel worker, but God has given others to support those who are.
How They Bless Us
Ministry champions bless us, first, by praying for us. Often we won’t even know it, and yet what a blessing it is to be held up before God by others.
Second, some bless us by caring for our physical needs. Our champions have fed us, babysat our kids, lent us their granny flat, and given us hand-me-down clothes for our kids that were much nicer than what we would have bought brand new.
Third, they encourage us with their words. They might tell us something they learnt or were challenged by after listening to a talk or after participating in a Bible study that we led. I have really appreciated when people have told me that they are thankful for my husband’s ministry at church.
Fourth, some bless us by turning up to things reliably. These are the people you know will be there.
Fifth, some have had our back in the midst of conflict. We have been blessed not to have experienced much church conflict so far, but when we have it was very reassuring to know that it wasn’t us against everyone else. Certainly, there will be times when I or my husband do the wrong thing. But when it is a case of friction over personalities or minor issues, it helps to have someone who is for you, to remind you what is and isn’t your responsibility. Our champions know that we are human and will make mistakes, but they choose to love us anyway, seeing this as an extension of God’s love for his people.
How We Can Bless Them
These are not one-way relationships. In many of the ways our champions bless us, we are able to bless them in return: in prayer, in words of encouragement, in generosity and practical support. Even when our time, energy and finances are stretched, we try to give at least small tokens of thanks: a handwritten card, home-baked goods, or flowers from our garden.
There are additional things we need to be conscious of, in our role as those in full-time ministry. For example, we bless them by inviting them to use their gifts and trusting them with responsibility. Our champions are committed to the growth of God’s kingdom, just as we are. At the same time we do need to be careful. These people are team players and may have a tendency towards taking on too many responsibilities, not wanting to let anyone down. We might sometimes need to remind them to take a step back if they are over-committing.
There is also a particular blessing in spending quality time with our champions, without a specific agenda. Often they will be on the list of go-to people when there is a job to be done. It’s good to make sure that this isn’t the only time we contact them.
A final way we can bless our champions is by honouring them. This not necessarily an up-the-front commendation, more an attitude of veneration. It would be terrible for us to take advantage of their loyalty to us, to make them the butt of our jokes, allow them to wait on us, or in some way make ourselves seem more impressive. Rather, we should treat them as they are: both brothers and sisters in Christ and also co-labourers in the gospel.
People who understand the struggles of ministry and genuinely support those of us in part- or full-time ministry work are treasures. Don’t take them for granted. Instead, notice the ways they hold you up and make your heart cheerful, then praise God for them and show them your appreciation.
