.jpg)
Posts
Ephesians 4
Tonight we are getting into Ephesians 4.
Last week Nate started the chapter but spent the whole night talking about verse one. We talked about three words in the verse: live, worthy, received. Podcast should be up soon. It was awesome!
Tonight we are going to talk about the type of church we want to become.
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.Everyone's a minister. God has placed you in your family, your neighborhood, your job, your city for a reason. Live out that calling in every way possible. The only reason we have leadership in the church is to empower and equip all the other ministers through the week. We spend a good portion of our week trying to replace ourselves. We want to be known for our team, our community, not our superstars. (Maybe that's why God hasn't given us any superstars but a bunch of messed up, goofy followers of Jesus!) If you had to give us a grade at the Stirring for our "teamness" (an amazing word that I just made up) what would you give us and why? We are trying to grow in this area and we'd love to hear your feedback.
4 comments:
If the 5 fold is given to equip the saints to 'do the work of the ministry', and therefore everyone is a minister and we are a kingdom of priests, doesn't a payroll to a set clergy kind of go against that. How do we define who should get paid to minister and who should do it for free? Seems like once you get paid its no longer service but a job. thoughts?
Good stuff Klein. That's a hard one. I would love to be able to do what I do full time and not have to get paid by the church. That's the biggest reason I'm writing my book. When it's a best seller I'll be the non paid guy on staff. I think there is biblical basis for both points. Paul made tents but he also funded by churches at times. Jesus was funded by some rich ladies. I just don't know that many rich chicks...hook me up. Luke 8:1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
I could be wrong but I believe Klein's question pertains more to a "set" income and what that looks like.. We are all called to be "ministers" of the Gospel but scripture also expounds to further definitions and gets even more specific to what rolls look like.. (1Tim 3)(Tit 1: 6-9)
Jesus didn't require Joanna or Susanna to give in support of what he was doing, they did however give but like I said the "command" or "requirement" wasn't there ......
Maybe 1Corinthians 9 would shed some light on the subject...
Yeah Juan,
That is what I meant by payroll. A set salary that we have come to use in the United States (hence the term 'full time ministry').
I wouldn't want this topic to take away for our need as believers to give from a cheerful heart. You hit it on the mark with Cor 9.
Peace brother!
Post a Comment