Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category
Spectator vs. Ministry: Which One Results in Growth?
I enjoy sports, but I am a football fanatic.
There are sports fans and then there are sports fans! The first group is made up of those who buy a ticket, go to the game, watch the action, and cheer when their team makes a good play. After the game, they go home and go to work the next day.
The second group buys season tickets, goes to the game three hours early, cooks hotdogs on a tailgate grill, buys a hat, jersey, foam finger, and possibly paints themselves team colors to match the jersey. They cheer in the stands until the final play and, if their team wins, cannot wait to see the highlights and commentary on SportsCenter.
But even with all of that, they are not players. They remain fans.
There is No Such Thing as Spectator Members in the Church
Dr. Thom Rainer writes of this phenomenon: “I am a fan of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Notice I did not say I am a member of the Crimson Tide – there’s a difference. I don’t go to spring practices and work out with the team. I don’t study game films or discuss plays with the coaches. On game day, I don’t get on the field and help the team move the ball across the goal line. That’s not my job. I’m a fan – a spectator.”1
Spectator members are one of the biggest problems in churches today. Members are to minister, and all members are to minister. The Bible knows nothing of spectator church members. In order to move beyond spectator Christianity, it is important for every member to know his or her role in the church and do it.
Ministry is the Responsibility of Each Christ-Follower
The Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian believers that God had established leaders in the church. Among these leaders are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. He also established why these leaders had been given: “for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”2 No one is being trained to look around; everyone is being trained to minister.
Ministry is the responsibility of every believer. A very significant part of ministry is that we are connected by the growth that takes place. Ministry is rarely, if ever, for the benefit of an individual. In fact, as Paul makes clear, the work of ministry leads to the building of the body of Christ. That body includes many members.
Paul continues with the extent of such ministry in verse 13, “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” Notice we are “growing into a mature man.” Ministry results in building, which results in unity as a result of growth.
Ministry Unifies, Connects, and Grows
Ministry unifies, connects, and grows the church. Ministry is a unifier and a connector. If you are a member of a church, pray for God to open a door of ministry opportunity for you. Talk to someone in leadership and ask them where your gifts, talents, and passions can best be used. You will be connected to other members of the body. You will grow, so will those you minister with, and God will be glorified.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
1– Bible Studies for Life, Connected, Dr. Thom Rainer
2– Ephesians 4:12 (HCSB)
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Connecting in Unity
What the Scripture Says
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard onto his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has appointed the blessing – life forevermore.”1
“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.”2
Unity Involves Setting Aside Differences
Dr. Thom Rainer talks about unity in the Fall 2014 session of Bible Studies for Life, “What if the church operated with such courage and resolve? But we can still set aside our differences, sacrifice our personal comfort, and work together to fulfill our call.”3
Few things damage the mission of a church like a lack of unity. When members are going here and there, pulling left and right, it is difficult to head in a single direction; difficult to make progress.
Not only that, the fighting that takes place in some churches ruins their testimony and hinders the witness of Christ.
Three Things to Remember About Unity
1. Unity is good!
The psalmist wrote above that unity is good and pleasant. Isn’t that true? When members of a church are ministering together, loving each other and living in one accord, it is both good and pleasant. Both the congregation and the ones who lead it are blessed.
2. Unity reflects the Trinity
When Jesus said, “I and the Father are one,” He wasn’t merely being poetic or metaphorical. He referenced a literal union of which the Holy Spirit is the third part. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit exist in a perfect unity of will and action. The Trinity may be beyond comprehending, but that doesn’t mean we cannot learn from the example set forth.
When God’s people are unified, we reflect the unity of the One we claim to worship. This truth is brought home to us when Paul refers to the church as one body with many parts. The parts may be different, but the purpose must be singular.
3. Unity is a result of being on mission.
Many think a church must unify before it can be on mission for God. It might be true a church can decide together to be on mission, but true unity occurs after the members are striving together on the mission, encouraging the weary, lifting up the fallen, praying toward the same end, and reaching the same goal.
Think about a couple at their wedding. They make a commitment to one another and take vows until “death do us part.” But that’s only the beginning. If they really love each other, strive to please and serve each other, then they will grow together, and think alike toward their goals, hopes and dreams. They become more unified as they pursue the goal.
Unity is essential in the life of a church. When churches are on mission, their members will connect in ministry together, and unity will be the result.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
1– Psalm 133, HCSB
2– Ephesians 4:1-3, HCSB
3– Bible Studies for Life, Connected, Dr. Thom Rainer
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.