When I used to think of serving in the church, I imagined leading a prayer, teaching Grief Share, or maybe sharing my testimony. But a whole world of behind-the-scenes service is just as important and sacred. Keeping a church running smoothly takes more than just spiritual leadership. It takes hands-on work from everyday people willing to show love through action. Whether you’ve got a green thumb, a mop in hand, or a willing heart, there’s always something to do to help around the church.
Let’s start with one of the simplest but most important tasks: mopping the floors. After a busy Sunday or midweek service, the floors can take quite a beating from heavy foot traffic. A clean and shiny floor looks good and shows respect for the space where people gather to worship. Whether tile, linoleum, or hardwood, taking the time to mop is a small task that makes a big difference.
Recently, the church hosted a large event. During the day, guests accidentally dropped crumbs and spilled drinks. My mother used to say it wasn’t dinner unless something got spilled. But, home spills are something different. At the end of a Sunday, there aren’t five daughters waiting to help clean up and the cleanup is often left to a tired pastor. Do you have a mop and an extra few minutes to help?
It may not be glamorous, but cleaning the church bathrooms is another ministry of hospitality. Imagine being a first-time visitor and walking into a spotless, fresh-smelling restroom. It communicates care, dignity, and attention to detail. Scrubbing toilets, refilling soap dispensers, and wiping down counters might not make headlines, but play a vital role in making people feel welcome and comfortable. Would this be beneath you?
Many churches have kitchens used for everything from coffee hour to full-scale community meals. A clean and organized kitchen ensures food safety. Washing dishes, wiping down counters, emptying the trash, and maintaining appliances may seem routine, but it supports everything from potlucks to outreach events. A clean kitchen helps feed both body and soul. Don’t you love a shiny kitchen?
The sanctuary is the heart of the church where we worship, pray, and encounter God. Keeping it clean and beautiful is a sacred responsibility. That might mean vacuuming carpets, dusting pews, arranging hymnals, or even watering plants and changing out seasonal decorations. Each small act of care prepares the way for others to enter into worship more fully. Vacuuming the sanctuary can become a time for personal reflection.
HHH and I have found pleasure in caring for the church grounds. With Winterpast in tip-top shape, we’ve set aside 45 minutes every Friday to mow and edge. But, as we looked around, we noticed the meditation garden needed some trimming. There were marigolds to plant and leaves to rake. After daily watering, the meditation garden started to bloom. From red and pink hollyhocks to bronze daylilies, old plants are coming back to life. People notice these things. Even the neighbors have commented on how nice the church looks.
At our church, painting projects await us. Things break and need repair before the following Sunday. The major holidays need the direction of someone with a flair for entertainment. And those with OCD can help keep the closets, supply rooms, and classrooms tidy and functional. Everyone has gifts to share where needed.
Each act of service may go unnoticed, but it is never wasted. With everyone doing their part, the church will shine in the glory of God. Every mop stroke, scrubbed toilet, and shiny window shows love and reverence for God’s house.
Here’s the deal. You only need a willing heart to make a difference in your church. Next Sunday, if you see a mess, a scuffed floor, or an overgrown flower bed, consider stepping in and offering to help out. It’s a wonderful place to make new friends while saving the pastor some time for his own life.
And who knows? That mop might just be your ministry.
