After writing about salt I moved on to write other things. In the days ahead those musings will drop. But the funny thing is, once you begin to write on a particular subject, even though at the time you think you are finished, other thoughts sometimes continue to pop up.
So salt wasn’t finished. It wanted to say more.
There is a show business element to church life.
It’s the flashy part.
It’s the building and the worship production efforts.
And to many, because this part is so visible and dominates the attention of lot’s of people all at once, it is easy for passersby to conclude that this is what church is.
Secular seekers think church, as far as they can figure out, looking at all the church options available, are like other businesses. They exist to attract attendees in order to grow bigger and flashier over time.
But Jesus I think is telling us church is a shaker of salt.
Does this make these other things bad or wrong? Not at all - if they are the activities of sold out salty people seeking to obey the Master’s voice.
But what does a salt filled church look like?
We hit some of this last time but it’s worth repeating.
If I were to write down the ways salt people serve, the list might not end any time soon. But to give you an idea of what I think are important acts of unnoticed service, I will name a few.
Cleaning the restrooms.
Preparing meals.
Vacuuming the carpets.
Picking up trash.
Secretarial and other office duties.
Repairing and painting walls.
Sound and lighting duties.
And here’s another way to describe salt.
Everything that involves smiling, as well as assisting children, the elderly, and special needs people. Shaking hands, giving hugs, and words of welcome and encouragement fit the list. Everything that makes a stranger want to return over and over.
You see, it isn’t certain people who are salt and it isn’t certain activities that are salt, it is the daily little common activities that reflect a love for others above one’s own status that matter.
Do we need great preaching and music?
You bet!
But more than this, salt speaks to the quiet loving disciples Jesus spoke to, who today are the church leaders - those who really understand that church is not a business, but a family.
You want to experience a healthy church? Find the ones where everyone leads and everyone serves.
What do you have written here Ben is such an important message! So much in church today seems like a business. Covid stole the ability to shake hands or give hugs. Even smiles were lost behind the masks. Now we have the opportunity to concentrate on connecting again and returning to being that family. Thank you for reminding us how we can answer the call to be the salt.