What People Remember

I have spent most of my adult life in church communities. I’ve seen services that were beautifully choreographed and others that went off the rails. I’ve seen budgets balanced to the penny and others that kept us up at night. I’ve worked on events, programs, and plans that looked perfect on paper but didn’t quite land. Through it all, I’ve come to believe something very simple and very true.

What people remember most is that someone showed up.

Not that everything went smoothly. Not that every decision was flawless. They remember the steady presence of someone who was there with them. Someone who answered the phone. Someone who pulled up a chair. Someone who simply stayed close.

I think that might be one of the most powerful and underrated ministries in church life, and in leadership in general. The ministry of showing up.

Why Being There Matters More Than Doing It All Right

There’s a lot of pressure these days to get everything right. As a leader, I feel it too. Make a plan. Get it approved. Execute it perfectly. Solve problems before they happen. Measure outcomes. Then do it all again.

But life doesn’t work that way. Neither does ministry. People don’t usually need perfect leaders. They need available ones.

They need someone who is there at the hospital when a loved one passes. Someone who stands beside them during coffee hour after a hard week. Someone who listens without trying to fix everything. Someone who remembers their name and their story.

Over and over again, I’ve seen how just being present with people is often more powerful than any carefully planned words or well-designed programs.

The Quiet Consistency of Care

At St. John’s Church, I have the privilege of working behind the scenes and often in the middle of things. That gives me a unique view of what makes a church function and what gives it heart.

There are the big events, sure. The concerts, the sermons, the seasonal services. But just as important are the daily rhythms and the quiet consistencies. A volunteer who comes every Wednesday to fold bulletins. A staff member who shows up early every Sunday to unlock the doors. The parishioner who checks in on an elderly friend each week.

That consistency speaks volumes. It says, “You matter.” It says, “We’re in this together.” And it forms the foundation of real community.

When Words Are Not Enough

There are moments in church life, and in life in general, when there are no perfect words to offer. Times of grief. Loss. Doubt. Disappointment. In those moments, it can feel like we are supposed to say the right thing, offer the perfect prayer, or provide an answer.

But what I’ve learned is that presence speaks louder than words ever can. A hand on a shoulder. A shared silence. A simple, “I’m here.” These small acts often mean more than any polished speech.

People don’t need us to fix their pain. They need to know they’re not walking through it alone.

Leadership That Stays

I’ve had the opportunity to work with many types of leaders over the years. Some are high-energy and full of ideas. Some are thoughtful and strategic. Some are gifted communicators. But the leaders who have made the deepest impact on me are the ones who showed up consistently and stayed.

They didn’t always have the flashiest plans or the biggest personalities. But they kept showing up. They followed through. They listened. They stood with people. And over time, they built trust that no clever strategy could replace.

That is the kind of leader I try to be. One who is present. One who stays.

Showing Up Isn’t Always Easy

Let’s be honest. Showing up isn’t always convenient. Sometimes we’re tired. Sometimes we feel unsure of what to say. Sometimes we feel like someone else could handle it better. But I’ve found that the decision to be there anyway is what makes the difference.

It’s not about solving every problem. It’s about saying, “You’re not facing this alone.” That kind of presence can’t be faked and it can’t be outsourced.

I’ve learned that even when I don’t feel fully prepared, even when I’m running on empty, being there still matters.

Passing It On

I try to remind myself that just as I have been shaped by people who showed up for me, I now have the opportunity to do the same for others. Whether it’s mentoring a colleague, supporting a friend, or simply checking in on someone who seems quiet lately, those little acts of presence create lasting impact.

It doesn’t require special training. It just requires heart and follow-through.

If we all made the decision to show up a little more, to be a little more available, a little more attentive, I believe we’d see stronger communities and deeper relationships in every area of life.

A Gentle Reminder

So here’s what I try to remember in my work, in my relationships, and in my faith:

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.

The ministry of showing up is not loud or flashy. It doesn’t draw attention to itself. But it is powerful. It builds trust. It creates space for healing. And it reminds people that they are not alone.

If all you do today is show up for someone with a full heart and open hands, you have done something deeply good. That’s the kind of ministry that lasts. And it’s available to all of us.