STEPHEN CHAVEZ

ick up any major city newspaper or tune in to the network evening news, and you might get the impression that all the important stuff in the country involves people running for office, passing legislation, releasing a new movie or CD, or winning some championship game.

It may seem that only the headliners who live in Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, Moscow, London, or Hong Kong make the world spin. But the truth is that the engine that powers the world's great economies is operated by normal, low-profile people.

Here in the United States, once you get away from the garish glitter that poses as news and information on either coast, you see what really makes the country great. Skilled, hardworking people work the great steel mills of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana; the assembly plants of Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri; the vast farms of the Midwest--Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa; not to mention the oil fields of Texas and Oklahoma; the mines of Nevada, Utah, Colorado; the orchards of Washington, Oregon, and California.

In every country it's the medical professionals, fire and police officers, utility providers, teachers, artists, writers, mechanics, musicians, food service workers, bookkeepers, even attorneys (I have to admit), and others that make for a balanced, efficient, productive society. And often, except for birth announcements and obituaries, only a fraction of a fraction of these dedicated workers ever get their names in print, or receive the recognition they deserve.

The same is true in the church. A handful of high-profile preachers and administrators regularly make the rounds of camp meetings and executive committee meetings around the world. And many are those, I suppose, who wish they had travel budgets to visit exotic locales like Silver Spring, Maryland; Berrien Springs, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; or Keene, Texas. And while these few get some of the credit for the church's growth and progress here and around the world, the vast majority of the credit goes to countless, mostly anonymous members who faithfully support the local church and its ministries without fanfare or recognition. Stated plainly: The church would simply not exist were it not for the commitment and dedication of local members who serve their churches and communities.

Pastors often get the credit (sometimes, the blame) for what happens in the local church. But no pastor, no matter how dedicated or talented, can simultaneously coordinate the children's Sabbath school, the Community Services, the evangelistic outreach, the church school, the music, the social activities, the ministries to those who are missing, divorced, bereaved, etc.--especially if he or she has to juggle two or more congregations.

Lay members are the church's most valuable resource--not its buildings or institutions, not its media presence or name recognition, not its decades of religious tradition, or the money that finances all these. It's the members and their spiritual gifts, talents, energy, vision, and enthusiasm that make this organism--the Seventh-day Adventist Church--vital and progressive, both here and around the world.

On Sabbath mornings, who unlocks the doors to the church and makes sure the thermostat is set to the proper setting? Who leads out in the different Sabbath school classes? Who sets up for the fellowship meal, serves it, and cleans up afterward? Who is involved in prison ministries, Bible story hours, literature distribution? Lay members. Lay members. Lay members. Lay members.

And during the week lay members lead out in Pathfinders; volunteer at homeless shelters, hospitals, schools, boys' and girls' clubs, and libraries; coach Little League; teach at the Y; tutor after school. They give Bible studies, plan Sabbath school programs, attend board meetings, visit those who are sick.

Those who give so much of their time, talent, and finances rarely get the recognition they deserve, but no matter. Said Jesus, "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matt. 6:4, NIV).

In the meantime, on behalf of a grateful church, I salute you.

_________________________
Stephen Chavez is the managing editor of the Adventist Review.