Equipping the Church
June 17, 2005Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that God gave us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers “to prepare God’s people for works of service.” Does God want His people to do the work of the ministry? “So that the body of Christ of may be built up.” How long did God intend for these five ministries to equip the church? Until we all attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” God never intended for the leadership of the church to simply do the work of the ministry. Their primary function has always been to train the people to do the work of the ministry.
The kind of church that the apostle Paul envisioned was one that “When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church” (1 Cor. 14:26). Paul meant that when we come to church, we are supposed to bring a gift to give away. Why? Because it strengthens the church. The five possibilities that he lists are examples of the kind of things we may bring. But we could bring other things as well. We could also bring a healing gift, a financial gift, a word of encouragement, an evangelistic gift, and so on.
However, in the average church only a few people use their gifts. The rest of us are reduced to spectators not participants. But it does not have to be this way! There are many creative ways to train people to use their gifts in our meetings. Wise leaders are thinking like generals. They are recruiting, equipping, training, deploying, and nurturing workers for the harvest. When a person becomes skilled at using their gift in the church, they will have the confidence to use their gift in the marketplace where they spend the majority of their time. They will also begin to move in a wonderful realm of joy because they will begin fulfilling the purposes for which they were put on the earth. The spiritual gifts are not options. They are the tools of the Holy Spirit for building the church. They are empowered love.
I have loved the three books I've read of yours Dr.Deere!!!! When are we going to get more?????? I live in Queensland Australia and would love you to come hear and speak!!!! In Australia we have "tall poppy syndrome" People are really quite brutal and don't like it when others get ahead!!!!!!! Although I am in a church that is AWESOME, and we do believe and use spiritual gifts - I think you'd be able to teach us to move in and thru the spiritual gifts in a new and refreshing way!!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Aimee Eavans :: July 31, 2006 03:03 AM