Every Member is a Minister

When did you first learn to clean a toilet? Mine was at church. My family attended a small church on the edge of town. The sanctuary was a converted Hanger on Airport Road. There was a small building attached that had 2 bathrooms, the pastor’s office, and a lobby area that served as the Fellowship Hall, Sunday School, and the Board Room by simply moving tables and chairs around. We also had to set up the folding chairs in the sanctuary most Sunday mornings.


It is there were I experienced the power of what Theologian Martin Luther’s understanding that Every Member was a Minister. Ordinary daily jobs are holy callings. People serve God and love their neighbors through their everyday work, not just inside a church building. Christians are called to share God's word, comfort one another, forgive sins, and show compassion in daily life.


Luther did not abolish the office of the pastor. He believed trained and ordained ministers are still needed to preach the Word, baptize and serve Communion. But the pastor was not set apart from other holy work, even cleaning toilets.


In this little church everyone pitched in. My mother taught Sunday School. My father was a worship leader helping with the readings and prayers. Both of them helped serve communion. As a family, one Saturday a quarter, we helped clean and set up church for Sunday morning.


I remember the pastor being there one of our Saturday mornings. He was in his office working on his sermon when we arrived. My parents asked if we should come back later so we wouldn’t disturb him. He replied, “No, Thank you for coming. Actually, I could use a break, let me help you.”


That was the day I learned how to clean a toilet from the pastor. He cleaned the first toilet and then told me it was my turn. I reluctantly took the toilet brush. He squeezed in the toilet bowl cleaner and told me to scrub the toilet. He laughed as I basically stirred the water. He told me, “Use a little mustard.” which confused me more. With his direction and patience, I cleaned my first toilet.


Here at St. Luke’s, we have 11 toilets and 4 urinals. There are 528 members (ministers) which comes out to each person cleaning 1 toilet or urinal every 35 days. Thank Jamie, St. Luke’s custodian, for her good work.


I thank each person here at St. Luke’s who does holy work whether it’s yard work, cooking, ushering, leading worship, helping at the tech desk, singing, helping with children and youth ministry, knitting, sewing, quilting, caring for one another, welcoming and greeting, hosting, bringing treats, clearing snow, giving blood, serving with Feed My Starving Children, Fisher House, Loaves and Fishes, Meals on Wheels, Oasis, The Sandwich project, Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage, Lift Garage, VEAP, Altar Guild, playing music, serving communion, making cards, dishwashing, tillering, office support, leading a Bible Study or small group, giving an offering, and more…


This Fall we will be walking through the Book of Acts. It is the story of Jesus handing over the ministry to the people. May we continue doing the Acts necessary to help make Christ known to one another, our community, and the entire world.


This Sunday, come for worship at 8:30 or 10:00 AM and plan to stay after to participate in God’s Work Our Hands. Together we will be living out Luther’s theology of every member being a
minister, doing holy work, that Jesus has handed to us.  ​