April 13, 2007

What is the work of the church? Answers to that question swirl in my mind. The question is prominent too when I’m immersed in my class work and when we’re getting ready for another nominating committee process.

How would you answer that question? Take the gospel to the world. Feed the hungry. Love our youth. Reflect the character of Jesus. Worship in holiness and truth.

We could use the eight health qualities from natural church development to answer this. We’d include leadership, organization, spirituality, worship, evangelism, small groups, gifts and relationships. We could describe it as Pathfinders, Dorcas, Prayer Meeting, Personal Ministry, Sabbath School, Facilities, Church School and Housebound visitation.

Henry & Richard Blackaby describes our work in their book Spiritual Leadership as “absolute obedience to the Father’s will.” We listen, we surrender, we respond. Not a complicated process at all. We discover God’s agenda and do it.

So it seems we must be quiet enough to listen, wise enough to discern, energized enough to respond, united enough to be one body. Simple. Yet completely out of our power to accomplish on our own. Aren’t you thankful we have the promise of His Spirit to accomplish His work in us?

“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.” 1 John 2:27
Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve