E4

Sunday morning started out with some sharing about serving and how to best do it as the Church. Rod shared about a man named Michael Porter, who has reported that the passion of the people within the church to serve and change the world is at an all time high … however, the effectiveness of the Church in service is at an all time low. Why? He asks. Strategy is a large part of it, he responds. We need to be working as the Church, and we are attempting to take on our own ways and ideas.

How do we change the world as the Church? We turn to Ephesians 4:

humility
(V. 1-2) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

He spoke about how working as a team builds humility, and how that focus can put everything in perspective. A humble attitude needs to be the start of our contribution.

unity
(V. 3-6) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

He talked about fractures and dissention within the people of the church. Even in regards to serving … as some step up to the plate claiming wherever is ‘popular’ to serve, is the best … prioritizing some spiritual gifts over others. We need to focus on what unifies us, our mission, our commonalities, giving up all separation that we are holding on to, today.

gifts / talents
(V. 7-9) But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."

There is no question that we (the individuals created by God) have been given talents and gifts. It has been said. It is true, there is no doubt. Within the Church, we have the gifts and talents to accomplish ANYTHING in God’s name. However, we are not. When will we begin to recognize and utilize the abilities that God has blessed us with? When we take ownership over those gifts and grow them to their fullest ability and run with them as far as we can each day?

strategic use
(V. 11) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers …

Are we serving as one? Are we serving as needed? God has placed leaders in our midst? Are they strategically spreading and using God-given talents of those around them to make the most of each person’s abilities? Are we being strategic about working at ONE in this vision that God has laid upon the CHURCH? Or are we taking our own action because we think it may be a good idea? Strategy …


[the above image is the album cover of Jacob Anderskov]