One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that the most important work in the church isn’t always the work everybody sees.
It’s easy to think about ministry in terms of the people standing on a stage, preaching a sermon, leading worship, or teaching a class. And those things matter. But there are so many people working behind the scenes who are helping make it possible for people to connect with the saving love of Jesus and then grow in that love.
In this episode of Leading by Following, I had the privilege of sitting down with three of those people: Courtney Dox, Mark Slice, and Bobby Scott. They serve in creative arts, media, and production here at C4, and I wanted to give them an opportunity to tell some of their stories.
What I came away with was a fresh reminder of just how much God can do through people who are willing to use their gifts in service to Him.
Everybody Has a Part to Play
Mark has spent decades working in broadcast production and is AMAZING. Before joining our staff full-time, he served faithfully as a volunteer here at Chapin Christian. He would arrive in the early hours of Sunday morning – I mean EARLY, get everything running, and then head to Columbia to work on a television production before coming back to help us with worship.
Think about that for a moment.
He was giving his time, his experience, and his gifts to help people encounter Jesus. And he did it long before it became his full-time job.
Courtney came to us with a background in photography as one of THE VERY BEST in that field. After stepping back from her business to raise her young children, she began volunteering because she wanted a creative outlet and saw an opportunity to help. That willingness eventually grew into a larger role in the life of our church.
Bobby’s story is another reminder of how God works through the relationships and opportunities He places in front of us. He started serving on our worship team while attending Newberry College, and years later, when one job opportunity ended, he reached out to see if there was a place for him here – and O HOW GLAD WE WERE HE DID.
Today, he helps lead our digital communications, website, and social media, while continuing to serve in worship and student ministry with great skill.
Three different stories. Three different backgrounds. Three different sets of gifts.
And yet, God has brought them together for a common purpose.
Helping people fall in love with Jesus.
That’s what ministry looks like. It doesn’t always begin with a grand plan or a clear picture of where God is leading. Sometimes it begins with an invitation, a willingness to help, or simply saying yes to the opportunity right in front of you.
When the Church Had to Find a New Way
As we talked, we spent some time reflecting on the COVID pandemic.
I don’t think any of us will ever forget that season. As a pastor, I remember the uncertainty, the decisions that had to be made, and the weight of trying to lead a congregation through something none of us had experienced before.
But looking back, I am especially grateful for the preparation and faithfulness of our media and production team.
We already had a foundation in place for livestreaming our services. When we could no longer gather in the sanctuary, Mark, Courtney, Bobby, and their teams helped us continue sharing the Gospel.
We moved services outdoors. We recorded messages and worship. We figured things out as we went along. There were technical problems, unexpected interruptions, and more than a few moments when somebody had to stop and start over.
There were also some doggone hilarious moments along the way.
But underneath all of that was something important: we were determined to keep introducing people to Jesus, even when the way we gathered had to change.
Mark shared how other churches began reaching out for help. Some needed equipment. Some needed advice about livestreaming. Others simply needed someone to walk them through the process.
And our team stepped in to help.
I’m not sure we fully appreciate how significant that was. God had allowed us to develop skills, relationships, and resources before we knew how much we would need them.
Sometimes God prepares us for a season we cannot yet see.
That’s worth remembering in our own lives. The experience you’ve gained, the skills you’ve developed, and even the difficult seasons you’ve walked through may become a blessing to someone else down the road.
We don’t always understand what God is doing in the moment. But we can be faithful with what He’s placed in our hands.
The Church Is Bigger Than Our Church
One of the things I appreciate most about this team is that their concern extends beyond our own congregation.
During our conversation, we talked about our No Church Left Behind initiative and the ways our team has helped other congregations navigate the challenges of technology and ministry.
That matters to me because the mission of Jesus has never been limited to one congregation.
It’s not just about Chapin Christian. It’s about the body of Christ. It’s about the Kingdom of God.
If God has blessed us with knowledge, experience, equipment, relationships, or resources that can help another church, why wouldn’t we share them?
We don’t have to compete with one another. We don’t have to protect what we’ve learned as though there isn’t enough to go around.
We can help each other.
We can learn from each other.
We can celebrate what God is doing in other places.
I think we all need that reminder from time to time. It’s easy to become so focused on our own congregations, our own challenges, and our own goals that we forget we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.
The Kingdom is so much bigger than our church.
And when we use what God has given us to bless others, we get to participate in something bigger than anything we could accomplish alone.
The Front Door Has Changed
We also talked about how much the way people connect with a church has changed.
For some people, the front door is still the entrance to our building on Sunday morning. For others, it’s a website, a YouTube video, or a social media post they happen to come across during the week.
Some people are unable to attend in person. Others aren’t ready to walk into a church. Some may be searching for answers and don’t yet know whom to ask.
That makes the work Bobby, Courtney, Mark, and their teams do especially important.
A photograph from a children’s event can help a parent see what is happening in the life of our church. A short video can introduce someone to our community. A sermon shared online can encourage a person who needs hope. A livestream can help someone worship when they cannot be in the room.
These aren’t simply communication tools. They are opportunities to connect people with Jesus.
And I love that this team understands the importance of doing that work well.
We want to give God our very best, not because we’re trying to impress people, but because we never know who might be watching for the first time.
Someone may be searching for hope. Someone may be wondering whether God still cares about them. Someone may be looking for a place where they belong.
We don’t know their story. But we can do our part to make sure the door is open.
Excellence Is an Act of Stewardship
One of the things that stood out to me during our conversation was the desire this team has to keep improving.
Mark has spent years developing his craft. Courtney brings an eye for photography and a sensitivity to the people and moments she’s capturing. Bobby takes what happens in the life of our church and finds ways to share those stories throughout the week.
They each bring different experiences and perspectives to the table.
And they keep asking the same question: How can we do this better?
I love that.
I’ve said many times that what is can be better. That doesn’t mean we can never be satisfied or that everything has to be perfect. It means we should be willing to learn, grow, and make the most of what God has entrusted to us.
That applies whether you’re leading a church, running a business, raising children, teaching students, or serving in a volunteer role.
Excellence isn’t about getting attention for ourselves. It’s about being faithful with what we’ve been given.
And sometimes the best way to serve someone is to take the time to do something well that they may never even notice.
Beautiful Feet
As we wrapped up our conversation, I read from Romans 10:14–15. Paul asks how people can believe in the One they have not heard about, and how they can hear without someone sharing the good news.
Then he writes:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
I love that picture.
We often associate sharing the Gospel with the person preaching the message. But there are so many people who help carry that message to others.
Someone runs the cameras.
Someone mixes the sound.
Someone takes the photographs.
Someone updates the website.
Someone makes sure the livestream works.
Someone volunteers their time, shares their skills, or helps another church get started.
And through all of those things, people hear about Jesus.
Mark, Courtney, and Bobby may spend much of their time behind the scenes, but their work helps send the good news far beyond the walls of our sanctuary. And the same is true of so many faithful people in our churches, workplaces, homes, and communities.
You – whoever you are – may never see the full impact of your faithfulness. You may never know who was encouraged by your words, helped by your work, or introduced to Jesus because you were willing to serve.
But you don’t have to see every result to be faithful.
You simply have to keep following Jesus.
So here’s my encouragement to you: Don’t underestimate the ministry God has placed in your hands.
You don’t need a title to make a difference. You don’t need a platform to serve the Kingdom. And you don’t have to do what somebody else does to be part of what God is doing.
Use the gifts He’s given you. Be willing to learn. Help the people around you. Look for ways to serve beyond yourself.
And remember, we’re all leaders. Someone is watching us. Someone is learning from us. Someone may be one conversation, one act of kindness, or one invitation away from hearing the good news of Jesus.
Let’s be faithful with the opportunities God gives us.
And let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus so that He can do in us what needs to be done in us, and through us what He wants to do for others.
Love you guys! -Jody
