This Sunday I'll be looking at the dynamics of church life as outlined by Paul in Ephesians 4:1-16. I hope to communicate the idea that every person must play a role in strengthening the body in order for all of us to be healthy and active as a church.
It's no secret that a lot of us approach church with a consumerist mind-set . . . I've been guilty of that myself. It's tempting to see the church as just another service provider, like your cell phone company or your health club. As a result, we can become easily disaffected or bored.
I have a hunch that most people long for something more than that. They want to be part of a dynamic team. They want to make a contribution to something larger than themselves. They want what they do to matter. But we're often stuck in the rut of engaging church more like spectators than players.
I'd like to give people a vision for their role in the group and help them see how vital it is--both for their spiritual lives and the growth of those around them--that they become fully engaged. I want to communicate the idea that leaders can provide unity, authority, and direction, but its up to all of us to make the church healthy, dynamic, and effective in the world.
How can I get that message across without sounding as if I'm just trying to drum up volunteers?
How can I show people how much it benefits them to invest in the lives of others?
Am I on track with this message? Does it square with Ephesians 4?
What ideas will help me get this message across?
Let me hear from you, team. Sunday's coming ...
;-)
7 comments:
Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what we need. Your questions cause me to reflect on my own life, and why I chose to "buy in" to Fall Creek. Hmmm...maybe I'll get back to you on that.
I see you as right on the mark, brother.
Again I defer to John Stott, whose commentary I found most helpful when I preached through Ephesians:
“The New Testament concept of the pastor is not a person who jealousy guards all ministry in his own hands, and successfully squashes all lay initiatives, but of one who helps and encourages all God’s people to discover, develop and exercise their gifts.
“His [the pastor’s] teaching and training are directed to this end, to enable the people of God to be a servant people, ministering actively but humbly according to their gifts in a world of alienation and pain.
“Thus, instead of monopolizing all ministry himself, he actually multiplies ministries.” – John Stott in The Message of Ephesians (page 167)
Regarding, then, the church:
"...complacency is unworthy of the church's calling. In contrast to it the apostle sets before us a picture of a deepening fellowship, an eagerness to maintain visible Christian unity and to recover if it is lost, an active every-member ministry and a steady growth to maturity by holding the truth in love." (Ibid. page 173)
God bless your preparation, Larry.
Gary.
Mateo, Gary ... thanks for sharing these thoughts.
I like Stott's way of putting it. I know it's cliche, but the Together Everyone Accomplishes More idea really does work. We make each other better.
hey, the quote that comes to mind is
"team work makes the dream work." a pastor i used to work with said it a lot. i believe it is a john maxwell quote.
i have always tried to stay away from the word "volunteer." to me volunteers do not receive anything in return. i like the words sponsor or investor.
looking forward to sunday
I like the shift in terminology. Volunteer does have this positive connotation though--that the person freely chooses to serve. I'm not sure this is the right word, but a "player" is one who has a stake in the outcome. I like that too.
To become "fully engaged" is just part of what it is and what it looks like to have a walk worthy of the calling with which we were called. (Ephesians 4:1 &2)
Gary.
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