SEARCHLIGHT
Your church family and the pastoral staff are a blessing to you. Have you given much thought about becoming a blessing to them?
SCRIPTURE
This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the good news about Christ Jesus, and from our brother, Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister, Apphia, and to our fellow soldier, Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Philemon 1-3 New Living Translation
SPOTLIGHT
I will never forget the first Sunday I was beginning to pastor a church. Before the Sunday worship service and my first sermon as the new pastor, the Sunday School director came into my office, introduced herself, welcomed me, and then proceeded to resign. What a way to begin before really beginning.
Years later I experienced just the opposite when I pastored another church. Every Saturday night, a retired, elderly man, named Albert, would come to the church to straighten the sanctuary chairs. I will never forget when he told me that his God-given gift to the church and Pastor was the gift of helps. He said he would do anything possible to help me in ministry. What a blessing he became to me. He was such a good friend, co-partner, and prayer warrior.
People are greatly blessed by their church, but more people need to be like Albert. They need to ask how they can bless their church and pastor. Upon reading the first 3 verses of Philemon, you would probably just quickly skip over them, not giving them much thought. Please remember that Paul never wasted words when he wrote a letter. He did not have the privilege to pick up the phone or send a text or email in order to expand or further clarify his thoughts. In the Scripture text above, Paul’s commendation and gratitude are very strong and clear. He praised those who were joining him in ministry partnership to spread the Gospel. Although he was a prisoner, in jail, because of his faith in Jesus, he did not feel abandoned or forsaken. Philemon was a much-loved co-worker who had opened his home to allow believers to gather for worship and spiritually grow. Apphia was a spiritual sister who faithfully used her talents and gifts. Archippus was noted for being a Christian with soldier-like qualities.
There is nothing more special than having partners in ministry. Believers who are Christ-centered, faith-driven, and love-empowered are such great blessings to God’s work. Church leaders need co-workers just like Paul did. The vital connection is Jesus Christ. Today, effective partnership in ministry is characterized by the same qualities and values as it was in New Testament church times. Here are 6 qualities necessary to be an effective partner in ministry. Ask yourself the following questions in order to take steps to learn HOW TO BLESS YOUR CHURCH AND PASTOR.
- Salvation and Lordship – Do I have a growing relationship with my Savior and Lord? Do I live what I say? Are my personal devotional life and my attendance at church causing me to grow so, in turn, I can nurture others? Am I leading by example?
- Sensitive and Sensible – Do I long to be sensitive to the empowering and leading of the Holy Spirit? Am I sensible in living a well-balanced Christian life?
- Understanding and Unified – Do I understand my church’s mission, vision, goals, and distinctives? Do I passionately communicate and live them? In addition, do I unify other believers so that together my church will numerically and spiritually grow?
- Concern and Competence – Do I use my God given gifts? Do I genuinely care about the spiritual matters in my church? Am I committed to doing an exceptional job at whatever God wants me to do?
- Faithfulness – Am I a faithful steward of my time, talents, treasures, and tongue?
- Service – Am I a true servant whose commitment to my local church means I am not above washing feet like Jesus did during the Last Supper? Am I humble?
Will you become like Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Albert? What a tremendous blessing you will be!
SOMETHING TO DO
The 6 qualities you have just read are for you to pray and ponder about before becoming a responder. Focus on one each day of the week beginning today.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus, today I am beginning my journey to become a partner in ministry at my church. Thank you for my church leadership. I pray Your blessing on them. Show me how to bless them the way they have been a blessing to me. AMEN