“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…” – Romans 12:5–6 (NIV)
On the evening of Sunday, having successfully brought the 2025 Easter Convention to a close to the glory of God, I sat down to reflect on the entire journey—from the pre-convention preparations, through the start, to the final day when the curtain was drawn down. And these thoughts ran through my mind.
Just as the Apostle Paul puts it in the twelfth chapter of his epistle to the church in Rome, specifically verses 5 and 6, I was reminded of the various gifts and ministries that were at work during this year’s convention. I stood in awe of God and in appreciation of all the people who operated in these ministries.
Before the convention commenced, all the necessary arrangements were made—from cleaning and tidying up the auditorium and its surroundings, to erecting canopies, conducting sound checks, and more. Then at the start of the convention, after prayers had been offered and the congregation had been led in a powerful time of worship, I took the microphone and preached. This routine of prayer, choruses, worship, preaching, and altar call continued until the close of the convention on the Sunday.
My reflections led me to the conclusion that in the church, there are various ministries, which I categorise into two: the Pulpit Ministry and the Outside-the-Pulpit Ministry, often referred to as the Ministry of Helps.
THE PULPIT MINISTRY
I would also describe this as the Stage Ministry. Those who serve in this ministry are the ones always seen on stage, leading the congregation and guiding them through each phase of the service. They are often the ones who appear well-dressed and polished, as they are in the full view of the people.
Those who fill this ministry are usually eloquent, confident speakers, and skilled in their respective roles. Because of their visibility and direct interaction with the congregation, they tend to receive the most recognition and applause. Examples of those in the pulpit ministry include music ministers and instrumentalists, worship leaders, preachers, and the like. They are often celebrated as the “heroes” of our services and conventions. At the close of services, people often flock to them for handshakes or photo opportunities.
But there is also another class of people who are not given as much recognition—or in some cases, none at all. These are the ones who serve in what I call the Outside-the-Pulpit Ministry.
THE OUTSIDE-THE-PULPIT MINISTRY
As the name implies, this group functions outside the pulpit and offstage. Interestingly, in the course of their work, they sometimes appear untidy or less presentable than those on stage. They are often not eloquent or polished public speakers—though, when given the opportunity, some may very well be—but the roles they perform do not require such attributes.
Because they are not directly in touch with the congregation, they are often not well known and therefore receive little or no appreciation. However, they are like the foundation of a building—hidden from view but absolutely essential. A building may look neat, classy and structurally impressive, but it is the unseen foundation that sustains it. People admire the structure and pose for pictures beside it, yet the foundation goes unnoticed. And so it is with these ministers.
Examples of those who fill this ministry include:
- the sanitation team who ensure that the washrooms and the entire environment are clean and presentable,
- those who erect canopies and build platforms,
- the sound engineer, often hidden in a corner booth,
- those who count the offering and keep financial records,
- and many others who work quietly in the background.
They may not be seen, but without them, where would the preacher stand to deliver the sermon, or the music minister sing those powerful songs?
Even in the ministry of Apostle Paul, we find individuals—some of them women—who played significant roles behind the scenes to support the success of the ministry. They are not necessarily well-known figures in Christian history, but their contribution was foundational.
Apostle Paul often took time to appreciate such individuals. In Romans 16:1–2, he wrote:
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchreae… She has been a benefactor of many people, including me.”
Phoebe is not a household name; she is seldom mentioned in sermons. Yet, she was a wealthy and influential woman who supported Paul and others materially. It is also widely accepted that she personally delivered Paul’s letter to the Roman church—a task of high trust and importance.
The same can be said of Priscilla and Aquila, Paul’s close friends and ministry partners. In Romans 16:3–5a, Paul writes:
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.”
Though they may not have occupied the stage, their ministry was foundational. They hosted churches in their home and worked closely with Paul to support the early Christian movement. Paul’s commendation of them is a reminder that what happens offstage can be just as vital as what happens in the spotlight.
I believe the Church today must learn from the Apostle Paul and begin to intentionally acknowledge and honour those who serve in the Outside-the-Pulpit Ministry.
One thing that struck me most happened at the close of this year’s Easter Convention. After everyone—including myself, the District Minister—had gone home, I returned to the convention grounds around 6 p.m. There, I saw these dedicated individuals still working: restoring order, sweeping, packing up equipment, and ensuring that plastic chairs borrowed from various local assemblies were returned.
Are these not the unsung heroes of our conventions? I believe they are—and they truly deserve our appreciation and recognition.
In conclusion, I would like to say to all who serve faithfully in the Ministry of Helps: you are deeply appreciated, and you hold a significant place in our hearts and in the work of the Kingdom. Do not allow the seeming lack of visibility or applause to discourage you. Your work may not be seen by men, but it is certainly seen and rewarded by God.
Do not grow weary or disheartened. Keep at your post with joy, knowing that your labour is not in vain. The Lord, who sees in secret, will reward you openly. You are part of the divine machinery that makes ministry impactful and life-transforming.
Faithful is He who has called you—and He will do it.
I leave you with this encouragement from 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV):
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”
To all the unsung heroes—thank you, and may the Lord richly bless you.
Written by P/Overseer Lord Nkrumah Amponsah (Nkyenekyene District Minister)
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