Welcome Aboard the CC Battleship

by Steven Aker

Before serving in ministry here at Christ’s Church, I spent eight years in the United States Air Force. While I never served aboard a Navy ship, I had the opportunity to work alongside the Navy for four years at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Hawaii (rough, I know). The second I got to my duty station, one thing became very clear to me: Missions don’t succeed because a few people work hard. They succeed because everyone understands their role and faithfully carries it out.

No one person wins the mission alone.

That principle has stayed with me ever since, and the more I read Scripture, the more I think God designed his church the same way. The church is more than just a brick and mortar to me . . . it’s a battleship in an active war zone. Not because we’re fighting people, but because we’re engaged in a spiritual battle (see Ephesians 6:12). We have a mission. We have a Captain. We have a destination. And every member of the crew has a purpose.

From a distance, a battleship looks like one massive machine. But beneath the surface are thousands of people, each fulfilling a unique responsibility. Navigation, engineering, communications, weapons systems, intelligence, medical teams, logistics, maintenance, security, food service—every position exists for one reason: to accomplish the mission. None of those jobs are more important than the mission itself. And none of them can accomplish it alone.

Every Role Matters

The church is no different. The apostle Paul tells us that God has uniquely gifted every believer (see 1 Corinthians 12). Some are gifted to teach, others lead, some encourage, some show mercy, some serve, some give generously, some naturally share the gospel wherever they go. Those gifts aren’t random. They’re assignments.

Think about the different stations on a ship. Some crew members are watching the radar. They constantly scan the horizon, looking for what others can’t yet see. In the church, these are often the evangelists—people whose hearts are always searching for “one more.” They’re constantly looking for opportunities to introduce someone to Jesus.

Other crew members man the weapons systems. When the battle comes, they know how to respond. In the church, these are faithful teachers, small group leaders, and disciplers who know God’s Word and help others stand firm in truth. They don’t fight with weapons, but with the truth of Scripture, as Paul calls it “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17).

Then there are the engineers and mechanics below deck. Most passengers would never notice them, but without them, the ship never leaves the harbor. These are the difference makers who faithfully serve week after week. They welcome guests, make coffee, care for children, run technology, organize events, visit people in the hospital, serve in the community, and quietly keep ministry moving. They may never stand on a stage, but the mission couldn’t happen without them. There are navigators who help chart the course. Communications teams who ensure that the crew stays connected. Medical personnel who care for the wounded. Supply officers who make sure everyone has what they need. Every role matters because every role serves the mission.

Here’s what I’ve learned from both the military and ministry: People get frustrated when they don’t know where they belong.

Imagine a radar operator abandoning his station because he wanted to fire the guns instead. Or an engineer deciding maintenance wasn’t exciting enough, so he stopped repairing the engines. The entire ship would suffer. Likewise, the church is healthiest when people discover the unique way in which God has wired them, and then they faithfully embrace it. God never intended for everyone to do the same thing. He intended for everyone to do their thing. The greatest danger isn’t having different gifts. It’s forgetting why we’ve been given them.

What Is Your Station?

A battleship doesn’t exist to admire itself. It exists for the mission. Likewise, the church doesn’t exist simply to hold worship services or fill seats. Jesus gave us our marching orders before he ascended into Heaven: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20). At Christ’s Church, we summarize that mission with one simple phrase: One More into God’s Kingdom.

Everything we do should move us toward that objective.

• Our worship experience points people to Jesus.

• Our groups help people grow in Jesus.

• Our serving reflects the love of Jesus.

• Our generosity fuels the mission of Jesus.

Every ministry is another station on the ship helping accomplish the same mission. And through it all, we have one Captain. Jesus. He determines the destination. He gives the orders. He calls each crew member into service. He never asks everyone to stand on the bridge. But he does ask everyone to report for duty.

So let me ask you a question: If someone observed your life, would they know what station you’re serving at, or would it appear you’re simply catching rays on the upper deck?

Have you discovered the gifts God has entrusted to you? Are you using them to help move the mission forward? The church doesn’t need more people simply watching the mission happen. It needs crew members who know their role, trust their Captain, and faithfully serve beside one another.

The mission is too important for empty stations. There is a place for you aboard Christ’s battleship. The Captain has already called your name. Now it’s time to take your post.

Steven Aker is the pastoral resident at Christ’s Church, where he and his wife Brooklyn are involved in leading young adult, high school, and middle school ministries. Steven served our country for eight years in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Hawaii and California. Steven and Brooklyn reside in Loveland, Ohio, with their three dogs, as they seek to help others take their next step with Jesus.