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Free Skittles and Arizona watermelon drink?
How do you get young/new Christians to serve?
- Thread starter ALAYMAN
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Free Skittles and Arizona watermelon drink?
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A few quick thoughts:
Most ministries will begin with one man with a vision. In Acts 11, we have the founding of the Church of Antioch following the persecution scattering of the disciples out of Jerusalem. Barnabas is sent, and he is glad. Significantly, verse 24 says that through his efforts "much people was added unto the Lord." I think a major error is made by many of our churches in setting up programs without burdens. God still calls people to the work, today. Later in Acts 13, from this very church, the LORD would tell the church to separate out Barnabas and Saul "for the work whereunto I have called them." An unmotivated leader just marking time in a ministry can often do more harm than good. An excited person, (remember the scriptures say that Barnabas was "glad") can attract a lot of attention and other people.
Secondly, that man must involve others. This Barnabas did when he went to Tarsus to seek Saul and bring him back with him to the work in Antioch. Tarsus is Saul's home city, so he was not actively "seeking ministry." Later in Acts 13 we will find Antioch filled with teachers, but for now Barnabas needed help! Instead of sending back to Jerusalem, which was shedding its Christians due to persecution, he found Saul and brought him to help. Oftentimes people who would do good service are "waiting upon the LORD." A Son of Consolation who seeks them out can involve them in the work -- not just hand it off to them immediately, but bring them to the ministry and introduce them into it.
Thirdly, We need some patient preparation. Acts 11:26 tells us that they spent a whole year assembling and teaching the "disciples" there in Antioch. Disciples, or disciplined ones, are recognized as learners. Both Barnabas and Saul are training others to do the work, and it is fruitful. It is here that these learning disciples are first called Christians. Antioch will be one of the most effective churches in the first century, from it springing the early missionary journeys and prompting the first Jerusalem Council. But they did not make that stellar rise immediately without some preparation. It was patient work by Barnabas and Saul to teach, to lead, to encourage, and to minister.
Lastly, the visionary man must have humility enough to pass on the mantle. Acts 13:1 opens by saying there were certain prophets and teachers at Antioch. Heading the list is Barnabas, and completing it is Saul. But, praise God, there are 3 others in between. God then calls out Barnabas and Saul to a church planting mission, and those who they had been teaching now take up the task of being the certain "prophets and teachers." We will disappear and our churches will die if we do not learn to multiply ourselves by passing on our burdens to others. Especially in this idolatrous age, too many have the lonely and false view that they are the greatest and must manipulate all under them. Praise God, not Barnabas! Put Simeon, Lucius and Manaen into leadership? Sure thing, that is what they were teaching for! Elijah prepared Elisha, and did not murmur when it was time for the younger to take up the mantle. Paul specifically instructed Timothy to do this in 2Tim 2:2.
We need men of vision, men who can involve others, men of patience, and humble men who can bring up others into leadership for relief.
*Hat tip </
)
Most ministries will begin with one man with a vision. In Acts 11, we have the founding of the Church of Antioch following the persecution scattering of the disciples out of Jerusalem. Barnabas is sent, and he is glad. Significantly, verse 24 says that through his efforts "much people was added unto the Lord." I think a major error is made by many of our churches in setting up programs without burdens. God still calls people to the work, today. Later in Acts 13, from this very church, the LORD would tell the church to separate out Barnabas and Saul "for the work whereunto I have called them." An unmotivated leader just marking time in a ministry can often do more harm than good. An excited person, (remember the scriptures say that Barnabas was "glad") can attract a lot of attention and other people.
Secondly, that man must involve others. This Barnabas did when he went to Tarsus to seek Saul and bring him back with him to the work in Antioch. Tarsus is Saul's home city, so he was not actively "seeking ministry." Later in Acts 13 we will find Antioch filled with teachers, but for now Barnabas needed help! Instead of sending back to Jerusalem, which was shedding its Christians due to persecution, he found Saul and brought him to help. Oftentimes people who would do good service are "waiting upon the LORD." A Son of Consolation who seeks them out can involve them in the work -- not just hand it off to them immediately, but bring them to the ministry and introduce them into it.
Thirdly, We need some patient preparation. Acts 11:26 tells us that they spent a whole year assembling and teaching the "disciples" there in Antioch. Disciples, or disciplined ones, are recognized as learners. Both Barnabas and Saul are training others to do the work, and it is fruitful. It is here that these learning disciples are first called Christians. Antioch will be one of the most effective churches in the first century, from it springing the early missionary journeys and prompting the first Jerusalem Council. But they did not make that stellar rise immediately without some preparation. It was patient work by Barnabas and Saul to teach, to lead, to encourage, and to minister.
Lastly, the visionary man must have humility enough to pass on the mantle. Acts 13:1 opens by saying there were certain prophets and teachers at Antioch. Heading the list is Barnabas, and completing it is Saul. But, praise God, there are 3 others in between. God then calls out Barnabas and Saul to a church planting mission, and those who they had been teaching now take up the task of being the certain "prophets and teachers." We will disappear and our churches will die if we do not learn to multiply ourselves by passing on our burdens to others. Especially in this idolatrous age, too many have the lonely and false view that they are the greatest and must manipulate all under them. Praise God, not Barnabas! Put Simeon, Lucius and Manaen into leadership? Sure thing, that is what they were teaching for! Elijah prepared Elisha, and did not murmur when it was time for the younger to take up the mantle. Paul specifically instructed Timothy to do this in 2Tim 2:2.
We need men of vision, men who can involve others, men of patience, and humble men who can bring up others into leadership for relief.
*Hat tip </
)
PappaBear said:
It isn't complicated. Basically, we have two different couples who teach a particular class. They teach one month on and one month off. It gives them time to be in the regular services in between, and it gives their students some level of variety without greatly sacrificing consistency, mentoring, or relationship building. It also protects the church from needing to throw someone suddenly into a position when the previous worker quits.