Bibs or Aprons?

Several years ago, someone visited a church in Minnesota that was growing rapidly. What he observed was sent all over the world via the internet.

One observation was of a phrase he heard repeated over and again,  "We want our members to wear aprons, not bibs." This signified:

Bibs are for people who only want to be fed.

Bibs are for those who are not yet ready or willing to feed themselves.

Bibs are for those who are more interested in being served than in serving.

Bibs are for those who insist that the church exists for them and their needs.

Bibs are for babes in the faith, those who haven't caught God's vision for the church, or those who are not yet of the faith.

Aprons are for those who have a heart to serve others in Jesus' name.

Aprons are for those who know that they are the church.

Aprons are for those who don't mind getting their hands dirty.

Aprons are for those who take the time daily to feed their spiritual hunger.

Aprons are for those who are growing in faith, and hunger to help others grow.

Seeing this, the guest could not help but recall Matthew 20:28:

"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."