When our kids were young and they would accompany me on a shopping excursion, inevitably one or another of them would hold up an item and ask, “Can we get this?”
The items would vary in extravagance. Sometimes it might just be a box of cereal. Other times it might be a kitchen appliance.
Sometimes the item was really practical — a new cleaning product they’d seen advertised, something that carried the hopeful promise that this wonder product might encourage the children to actually clean the bathroom.
If I was tired or in a hurry, sometimes they’d hear me say, “Okay.”
But usually, they heard, “Sure! …If you want to use your money to buy it.”
Instant crickets.
That was always a clarifying moment.
Things often seem worth the cost — when someone else is paying the price.
But when it costs us… when it requires us to put skin in the game… suddenly we’re not as sure.
I often think of this in terms of ministry at New Cov.
We love and benefit from the excellent programming offered to families on Sunday: children’s ministry with intentional security, healthy ratios, and invested leaders. We love knowing our middle schoolers have a safe and fun place to be guided into young adulthood. We’re grateful for the wise adults mentoring and discipling our high schoolers.
We appreciate the First Impressions team—the smiling faces who help us feel welcome, seen, and cared for. They make it easier for new people to take their first steps into community.
And beyond Sundays, I’m thrilled by the adults who step up to lead or co-lead small groups and discipleship classes, investing in the spiritual growth of others.
All these people—from the student leading table discussions with preschoolers, to the couple who opens their home for young adult small group, to the ladies who mentor younger moms at MomCo—all these people have skin in the game.
Because they believe the ministry they do is worth the cost.
And it is.
Helping others find and follow Jesus will always be worth the cost.
Each of us has been blessed by finding and following Jesus. And we continue to benefit from the ongoing ministry of New Cov. Imagine what God might do if every single one of us had skin in the game!
Curious where to start? Here are some next steps to consider:
- Commit to pray daily for the ministries and leadership of New Cov.
- Join a serving team (or increase your serving frequency).
- Sign up for baptism, (or membership class, or a discipleship class).
- Mentor students (you don’t have to be perfect to make an impact).
- Become a first-time financial giver (or increase your current giving).
- Lead a small group (or offer to co-lead one).
Join me in thanking the hundreds of people who serve faithfully, week after week, to bring the hope of God’s word to every generation. Thank you nursery workers. Thank you parking crew. Thank you coffee team.
God has designed a beautiful rhythm: those who plant faithfully also share in the joy of the harvest (Galatians 6:7). At New Cov, the harvest is: Lives changed by Jesus—and every one of us is invited to participate.
Let’s not just benefit from the blessing. Let’s help build it together—for His glory, and for the good of everyone still finding and following Jesus.