“I Want to Be a Worker…”

The hymn "I want to Be a Worker," initially written by Isaiah Baltzell, is one of the most popular worship songs people are still aware of, written over 140 years ago. Since publication, it has appeared in over 160 hymnals and serves as a reminder for all genuine Christians to answer the call of being workers...servants. Some of the lyrics include:

"I want to sing and pray, and be busy ev'ry day..."

"I will work, I will pray, I will labor ev'ry day..."

"I want to lead the erring in the way..."

Now, for what I am about to ask and say, you need to know that it comes from a place of love. But let me ask: "Is this you?" Sure, you may sing during the services on Sundays; you may even do it at home or in the car. Your prayer life may be great...but are you "busy ev'ry day"?

Admittedly, this is not Scripture. However, it is not without merit. We are told to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; Jas. 5:13). The Bible commands prayer (1 Thess. 5:16-18). And, yes, James calls on us to be workers (Jas. 2:14-17). However, this is not happening.

In many congregations around the United States, most of those who work in the church are older. The older women prepare the potlucks, schedule the outings, teach the classes, et cetera. The older men do most of the heavy lifting in more manual labor. Yet, in those same assemblies, young Christians abound!

I am not saying that everyone should teach a class or that someone who is merely fifteen or sixteen coordinates retreats or a Ladies' Day. Yet, they should be encouraged to participate. How else will they learn? There is undoubtedly some blame on the part of parents who shield their children from being a part of the Christian community in laboring for the kingdom, but we older Christians can also be at fault for not including them in work.

To believe that a teenager can understand the Gospel and obey it while simultaneously saying that they are too young, naive, or immature to share in the responsibility of church efforts lacks understanding.

The church of today will never be the church of tomorrow if we do not share in the function of the congregation's efforts.