10-13-24 “Laity Sunday: A Calling to Fulfill Good Work”

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“Laity Sunday: A Calling to Fulfill Good Work”

           It is such a joy to gather together, especially on this Laity Sunday, as we celebrate and acknowledge the ministry of all God’s people—not just those ordained or in leadership roles, but every single believer who has been called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. I deeply appreciate all your ministries. You are the ministers God has called to fulfill His good work.

Laity Sunday is a special day, designated by the  General Conference, “to celebrate the ministry of all Christians” (The Book of Discipline – 2016, ¶ 264.2). While it is traditionally observed on the third Sunday in October, we are celebrating it on the second Sunday this year as we come together with all of our parishioners for a joint service.

The ministries of the laity include lay leaders, lay servants, lay speakers, lay ministers, lay missioners, deaconesses, home missioners, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, The Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, missionary service, and many other significant forms of ministry. Laity Sunday is a day set aside to remember and lift up an enduring truth: the priesthood and ministry belong to all believers. Everyone is invited to share in God’s community of healing togetherness and world-repairing love.

Today’s scripture from 2 Timothy takes center stage on this Laity Sunday: 2 Timothy 1:14. In this passage, the apostle Paul encourages his young mentee Timothy to keep and guard with care the good and beautiful things entrusted to him. Let’s take a closer look at three key themes from this passage that can guide us as we celebrate Laity Sunday:

Paul opens this letter with gratitude, recognizing Timothy’s sincere faith. He recalls the faith that first lived in Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and in his mother, Eunice. Paul reminds Timothy that his faith did not originate in himself, but is part of a spiritual heritage.

This speaks directly to us today. Many of us are here because someone invested in us—perhaps a parent, grandparent, mentor, or friend. Their prayers, encouragement, and example helped shape our walk with Christ. Today, we acknowledge that each one of us is part of a long, unbroken chain of faith that stretches back through the generations.

For those who may not have come from a strong Christian heritage, know that you are the beginning of such a legacy for those who will follow after you. On Laity Sunday, we are reminded that each one of us has a role in nurturing the faith of others. Whether through teaching, mentoring, serving, or simply living out our faith in daily life, we are called to pass on this precious gift of faith.

           Paul then encourages Timothy with these famous words: “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Timothy was young, and he faced the challenges of leading a church in a time of persecution. Paul knew that fear could easily hold him back from living out his calling. So, he reminds him that God’s Spirit equips us not with timidity, but with power to stand firm, love to serve others, and self-discipline to stay faithful in all things.

On Laity Sunday, as we celebrate the priesthood of all believers, we are reminded that every Christian is empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their unique calling. The Spirit within us is not one of fear or hesitation. Each of us, whether in our workplace, our homes, our schools, or our communities, carries the Spirit’s power to shine the light of Christ. Let us be bold in our witness. Let us love with the deep compassion of Christ. And let us exercise self-discipline to stay true to the calling we have received.

Finally, Paul urges Timothy to “hold fast” to the pattern of sound teaching and to “guard the good deposit entrusted” to him by the Holy Spirit.

What is this “good deposit”? It is the gospel—the message of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and the promise of salvation for all who believe. It is a treasure beyond measure, entrusted not only to leaders like Timothy but to all believers.

This Laity Sunday, we are reminded that each of us has been entrusted with this same good deposit. Whether we preach from a pulpit, teach a Sunday school class, serve in hospitality, or simply live out our faith in our daily lives, we are stewards of the gospel message. We are responsible for guarding it—preserving its truth, sharing its hope, and living its power.

As we reflect on these words from Paul, we see a call to embrace our shared ministry as the body of Christ. Laity Sunday is a reminder that we are all ministers, called and empowered by God to live out our faith in unique ways. We each carry a legacy of faith, we each are filled with the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, and we each have been entrusted with the treasure of the gospel.

So today, let us ask ourselves:

• How can we invest in the faith of others as others have invested in us?
• How can we live boldly, empowered by the Spirit in our daily lives?
• How can we guard and share the good news of Jesus Christ in our world?

May we, like Timothy, fan into flame the gift of God within us, trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us as we live out our calling. Thanks be to God. Amen!