We are called at the end of each worship service to “go out and do the work God has given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses…” I now know what these words mean thanks to our subversive ministry of sharing the story of Trinity and our 28 stained glass windows to the public as docents.
Docents greet people coming into the church – mostly for tours, though some just to sit and pray. We share the story of Trinity Parish, whose roots go back to the English period in the 1760’s, and share our welcoming version of the Christian faith when asked.
Here is an example: In late 2020, a woman, her daughter and the daughter’s boyfriend came into the church. While the two younger people looked at windows and talked to a docent, the mom sat down. When we checked in on her, she said she needed to talk. A docent sat with her for quite a while, listening to her concerns. We told her about the television show, The Chosen, as an encouragement for later. A month later she contacted us for prayer before a surgery she was undergoing and Trinity’s prayer team lifted her up during the surgery and for 30 days afterward.
Recently, this visitor contacted the docent again via text saying that she had made BIG changes in her life and now loves Jesus with all her heart. She remembers that she felt listened to and accepted for where she was in her duress and not judged. Her life was greatly impacted by the simple act of being listened to in one of God’s houses.
All to say, ministry isn’t just for clergy. Small acts—welcoming, listening—can change lives. As a hymn says, “Yet not I, but Christ in me.” I didn’t realize when I started, but Trinity docents are undercover ministers of God’s abundant love.
Maybe God is calling you to a subversive ministry of hospitality, storytelling, and listening. If so, contact Kay Puckett at kayhpuckett@hotmail.com about becoming a docent.