Church members should remember that they are not the spectators in the life of the church, merely observing a pastoral performance. Instead, they ought to be exactly what Jesus has called them to be—the church.

The year was 1961, and JFK was giving his famous inaugural speech on January 20th. In his speech he declared to Americans that “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” It was a compelling speech that was considered his best. From this speech came the famous line: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

The thrust of Kennedy’s speech was about sacrifice, and when his politics are laid aside, and our spiritual application engaged, one can say it is entirely appropriate for every Christian to ask not what their church can do for them, but to ask what they can do for their church.

This mentality, when applied to faithful churches seeking to advance the gospel, disciple believers, fulfill the New Testament “one another’s,” and reach the lost, will foster a strong and healthy body.

Are you a part of a church going in the right direction? Good! Here are 11 ways to be a blessing to your local body:

1. Expect Elders to Be Qualified (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

This first one is an expectation, but a biblical one. You are a blessing to a church first and foremost by expecting your leaders to be faithful, qualified, and not to elevate a disqualified or unqualified man into the leadership of the church. No man will be perfect or have a perfect wife and children (1 Timothy 3:4), but the godliness and faithful trajectory of the leaders and their homes will be consistent and clear. Pastors and members should partner together to ensure that no man is put into leadership because of his net worth, experience, big ideas, or self-inflated opinion. Even a man known for influence and leadership moxie should not be cleared unless his character trumps all else. As one mentor put it, “Leaders need to have courage and toughness, but no bulls should be allowed in God’s China shop.”

2. Pray for Your Elders

Whether your church votes them in as a congregation or the elders are nominated by sitting elders and reviewed by the congregation before final confirmation, those who are appointed will inevitably be saying “yes” to being on Satan’s target list. The burdens they carry are heavy, the responsibility is immense, and the judgment they will incur will be far greater than those who do not teach and oversee the flock (James 3:1; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

One of the greatest gifts you can give your church is prayer for the elders.

3. Submit to Qualified Authority (Hebrews 13:17)

There must be no submission where there is sinful, unqualified leadership. But where your leaders are consistent, faithful, qualified, and operating by Scripture, the Bible says to make it a joy—and not a grief—to shepherd your soul (Hebrews 13:17). Don’t give them a hard time unless they are being sinful, unrepentant, unwise, and unbecoming.

4. Serve in the Ministry (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Ministry is not about chasing titles, it’s about carrying a towel. You can be a blessing to your church by seeing needs and meeting needs. Ask about volunteer opportunities, sign up to serve where few are willing, show up early if you can, or stay later if you can. View Sundays as an “all in” effort where your family rallies to serve the body. Consider the ways in which you can do what is both seen and unseen for the benefit of others, not just on Sundays, but throughout your week. View your pastors not as professionals, but as leaders you are partnered with. We are all in the ministry.

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