Acts 6:5-7
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
The process of growth in the early church gave us many good examples. First, they didn't lose their focus because of all the ministries that were going on. When a church is growing, there bound to be many issues; everything needs to be dealt with immediately and there's always one issue after another. I've found that it's easy to have our eyesight removed from Jesus when we are busy serving Him; just like Martha, when she was busy serving Jesus, her heart actually departed from the Lord. Some also say that why don't we just stay close to God and don't do anything else. Although Jesus rebuked Martha for her focus on being busy, He didn't agree with how Maria sat behind Him and did nothing either. Jesus just said that setting your eyesight on me was more important than what you do or don't do.
Another example the early church gave us was that when the church was growing, we need to develop a ministry team that complicates each other while working together. No one is capable of doing everything and everyone has different gifts. The reason God gives us various gifts is not for us to lift ourselves high, but to work with each other in building the church.
A famous football coach was once asked: What is football? He answered: "To me, football consists of twenty-two players who desperately need to rest and fifty thousand spectators who need exercise." Isn't that the issue of our church too? Many attend Sunday service and cell group meetings out of habit, but few would consider actively participate in ministry. Actually, God has given us different gifts and there are no bigger or smaller ones, for they are all equally important in the eyes of God.
Everyone in the church needs to serve in their own capacity, otherwise there will be mishaps everywhere. I also encourage more brothers and sisters to become full-time coworkers in the church; not necessarily become preachers, but become involved in administrative tasks. When everyone in the church is mobilized, the burden of administrative workload and pressure on the pastoral staff will be lessened and can focus on praying and preaching, thus the church can continue to grow.
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, I thank you because you once again showed us the principle in church ministry. May the Lord help us and let us always focus our eyesight on you. Let us treat the church as our spiritual home so that the church will continue to grow and your will may be done. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.