I am sure that you know of people in your church that serve in ways that never make the bulletin or get mentioned or awarded from the pulpit. Whether it is the custodian, nursery workers, lawn care volunteers or the person that folds the bulletins, we all know these people are there, but rarely acknowledge them or thank them. In this month of Clergy Appreciation, my thoughts turn to these people. Many people want to thank the pastor for his dignified and diligent service of preaching, teaching, counseling, visiting the sick, administrative oversight, visioneering and care. Few people thank those that serve behind the scenes. I am afraid we miss out on a blessing when we neglect to value those that serve behind the scenes.
As I was reflecting on this recently, it reminded me of a group of people that are usually in the spotlight, but also serve in a ministry that is behind the scenes. This ministry is so behind the scenes that most people don’t truly understand its presence or function. The ministry to which I refer is the Walters Christian Ministerial Alliance. Pastors, from various churches throughout Walters, get together to do ministry and cooperate together on issues with which they can agree. While there are certainly things with which they disagree, they choose to work together in those areas that benefit the community, help advance the gospel and provide mutual support for each other.
As you read this article, perhaps you are not aware of what the Walters Christian Ministerial Alliance actually does. First, they put on community worship opportunities such as the Thanksgiving Service, Christmas Community Worship Service, and Easter Community Worship Service, as well as helping to organize the WHS Baccalaureate Service each year. They get together to observe the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May to pray for our nation, state, county, city, and churches. They cooperate in prayer walking the schools prior to the start of school. They encourage the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes through See You at the Pole Rallies and youth rallies.
In addition to gatherings, they also provide transients coming through town with no means, a room for the night, gas, or a hot meal. They sponsor, run, and administer the Walters Area Food Pantry which distributes food monthly to dozens of families in need of a little help to make it through the month.
Many of these ministries, you never see, but the pastor or representatives from Calvary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, and Walters Church of the Nazarene come together to attempt to minister to our community. If your church is a part of the Walters Christian Ministerial Alliance, why not thank your pastor for his tireless efforts to serve in this out of the spotlight ministry. If your church is not a part of the Walters Christian Ministerial Alliance, you might want to ask your pastor or leadership why your church is not a part of ministering to our community through this group. And regardless of whether you are part of the Alliance, why not take time today to pray for the churches of Walters and the surrounding area, that we would be a witness to our community and a force for the gospel that will continue to bring light into the darkness.