According to statistics, in Canada, depending on location, between five and a half to six percent of the people who are able to work cannot find meaningful employment. Yet, employers don't seem to be able to find workers. Every once in a while, there are job fairs held in various places, where those looking for work can talk to company representatives.

The general manager of a small firm near us told me that they are often looking for employees, and that it is really hard to find good workers. I was talking to a gentleman at a church that we attended some time ago, and he told me that he had been trying to retire for the previous four years. He is an installer of countertops, and his boss just could not find anyone to take his place and had been begging him to keep on working.

The shortage of people to do the work which needs to be done is not restricted to the commercial side of things; it also applies to the church. Many of our churches are stopping certain programs because there are no capable people available to do the work. Congregations are aging, and some of those who have done the work of the church for decades are no longer able. A number of our churches are without a pastor, putting a bigger workload on the spiritual leaders of the church.

Luke 9:59-62 – Then [Jesus] said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (NKJV)

It was hard to get people to do His work back then, as it is now.

Luke 10:2 – Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (NKJV)

The early apostles had the same problem. There was a lot of work to be done and there were people who felt that they were being neglected. This problem was brought to the attention of the apostles:

Acts 6:2-4 – Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word." (NKJV)

In the western world, our churches are struggling in so many places. Especially as churches begin to plan for their fall programs, we should realize that there is always room for people who have never helped before to step up. Help is needed indeed.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray that a change will come about, that more people will come forward to do the work of Your church, and that all of us who are able will continue to do our part as well. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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