Some Christians judge a church based on what they can get out of it and how well it serves their needs. They often have unrealistic expectations of what the church should and can be, yet they never do nothing to help anyone.

Keep in mind that our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed you—not for inaction or idleness, but for action and good works. Sometimes we put too much effort into preserving our individuality that we forget about community. Consider the Apostle Paul’s insight on how we ought to treat each other within the Body of Christ.

Comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 (NKJV)

Paul exhorts us to comfort and edify one another. In other words, we are to support and encourage one another with the love of God. Paul further says that we should make it a habit to appreciate and acknowledge the contributions of those who have given their all to the church.

How do we do this in a practical way?

When Paul says, “esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake”, he literally means “to shower them with excessive love”. Let's take advantage of every opportunity to show those who serve our genuine appreciation and affection so that they actually find their ministry a joy rather than a burden. Here Paul emphasised the need to show these people our continual support for their labour of love. It is an appeal rather than a demand. When the Body of Christ can fully love one another, they manifest the Christ of the Body in their midst.