Ministry in the Mundane

Every so often, I take a break from whatever section of the Bible we are studying, and I will speak on a different subject altogether. I think breaking up the weekly routine is good for both the pastor and the congregation. So occasionally, I will teach about the songs we sing in corporate worship. I have titled this on-again off-again series, “Songs in the Night.” In those messages, we consider the history of the hymn or of the hymn writer. As you are probably aware, there are often some fascinating stories behind the songs. I think it helps Christians of today connect with Christians of the past if we know something about the writer or what led to the writing of the hymn. 

Very frequently in these studies, we have learned there was some tragic event in the life of the author that motivated them to write. In these cases, the song is essentially some heartbroken person pouring out their pain on the written page. For example, do some research on what provoked the writing of the classic hymn, “It is Well With My Soul” and you will learn the hymn-writer penned words of praise amidst great pain. Other songs have been written as hymns of praise for God’s great deliverance or answered prayer. Putting a face to name, so to speak, or learning the story behind the hymn has helped our church better appreciate the songs we sing and the difficult trials other believers have endured while still clinging to the hope of the Gospel.  

Just a few weeks ago, I intended to teach the history of the hymn “The Rock that is Higher than I.” However, after spending several hours reading and researching, I found out very little about the author or the background behind the song. In fact, what I discovered was that the author, Erastus Johnson (1826-1909), was simply a quite ordinary Christian. We might call him a run-of-the-mill, garden-variety believer. Sure, he endured some physical maladies and faced the loss of loved ones, as many of us do. But there was no awe-inspiring story that would cause us to marvel at his indelible level of faith; at least not recorded on the pages of history. Yes, he wrote a song that our church sometimes sings, but even this hymn is far from being one of the best known.
I would argue that the largest percentage of you reading this article, I had never even heard or noticed the author’s name until just now. Though a lifelong student of the Bible, a gifted musician and a committed church member, Erastus Johnson was simply your average, relatively anonymous Christian. In fact, in one of the rare (and very brief) summaries of his life, a biographer wrote, “He (Johnson) published one book of poems, most of which were of interest only to members of his immediate family.”

But if it seems as if I am criticizing this songwriter, I am not. Instead, studying his life caused me to gain an even greater appreciation for those faithful Christians down through time who aren’t well-known but have silently served on the sidelines. There are (and have been) scores of godly men and women who the world knows nothing about but have spent their quiet lives in loyal service to King Jesus. Their name will never be published in a who’s who of Christian history. Their face will never be on the cover of Christianity Today magazine. They didn’t even write a hymn that many people don’t know … but what they did do – is they remained faithful to God in whatever place God put them. And forgive my poor grammar, but that’s not nothing!

In truth, the older I get and the longer I pastor, the more grateful I am for those Christians that simply keep on keeping on. I find myself increasingly thankful for those steadfast saints who faithfully do wearisome spiritual work week after week. Listen, friend, Christ’s kingdom is primarily composed of ordinary believers devotedly doing the ordinary things believers have done for centuries. Whether that is consistently attending corporate worship, financially supporting the church, praying for others, visiting the sick, sharing the love of Christ, or serving the needy. These actions (and many more) may seem inconsequential or unnoteworthy, but without them, there is no Gospel ministry and there is no church. 

Although simply showing up for worship each Sunday, or spending time at a nursing home may seem trivial, there is a ministry in the mundane. These individuals may be unknown to the world, but they serve as the backbone of many churches! Faithfully doing monotonous and menial work behind the scenes will not garner you worldwide recognition, but it will capture heaven’s attention! And it strengthens the church of Christ. 

Dear Christian friend, don’t give up, give in or give out! Keep on keeping on! Maybe very few people in town will ever know your name. Perhaps you won’t become a coveted conference speaker. And maybe you won’t even write a semi-famous hymn that some small-town preacher mentions in a sermon sometime. But if you persist in the mundane ministry of committed Christianity and press on in the faith, God will use your efforts to edify the saints and glorify the Savior. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58