And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ… (Ephesians 4:11–12, ESV)
Jesus gives! He gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. He gives these people for a purpose. That purpose is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
I am a pastor of God’s church. I am called as a professional church worker. But I am not the only church worker. The primary work of the church is not the work of professional staff, but it is the work of all the people of God.
Sometimes I am called a preacher. Living in New Jersey with a large Roman Catholic population, I am often called Father. I have been called a priest. There are other times I am called a minister. I don’t get hung up on titles, but there seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to titles in the church.
Some churches have deacons. Other churches have elders. And still, other churches have lay ministers. There are probably other titles that I am missing. The problem with all these titles is that we begin to think that a requirement for serving in the church is to have one of these titles.
Whether you have a title or not, something that is important to recognize is that every member of the body of Christ is a minister. If you are a believer, you have a ministry. You have a role. You have a place to serve. Some churches will use the slogan: “Every member a minister.”
Sometimes our ministry is done in the church. But more often the ministry we are called to is ministry outside the church. It is ministering our family. It is ministering to co-workers in their time of need. It is ministering to our neighbors in our community.
The definition of ministry is serving. It is everything that we do in the name of Jesus for the sake of the kingdom (see Colossians 3:17).
You are not called to be a passive observer and sit on the sideline. The Church is not something you watch, but something you participate in. The way that your pastor best serves you is to equip you to be a minister wherever you may go so that you fulfill the potential for which God created you.
Reflection
- Do you have a title in your church? What does that title call you to do?
- How does the idea that every member is a minister change your view of church work?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the ministry to which you have called me. Help me to recognize the everyday opportunities to serve you and represent you. May I have willing hands and willing feet to go wherever you may lead and do whatever you would have me do. Help me to do it with enthusiasm for your glory. Amen.
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