FOUR PILLARS OF MEMBER'S MINISTRY
ROMANS 12:1-8
(Rick Warren)
1. EVERY BELIEVER IS A MINISTER
"Service" and "Giving" are the defining characteristics of the Christ like lifestyle of every believer: created for ministry (Ephesians 2:10); gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10); needed for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27); accountable and rewarded for ministry (Colossians 3:23-24).
2. EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT
There are "no little people" in the Body of Christ (the Church), and there are "no insignificant ministries". Every ministry is important (1 Corinthians 12:18-22); some ministries are visible, some behind the scenes; even the smallest ministry can make the biggest difference.
3. WE ARE DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER
Every ministry (like in a jigsaw puzzle where each piece is required to complete the picture) is intertwined with all the others (1 Corinthians 18:21-27).
4. MINISTRY IS THE EXPRESSION OF MY SHAPE
Each of us was uniquely designed, or shaped, by God to do certain things. God has been moulding or shaping each one of us for ministry since we were born (Psalm 139:13-16).
THE FIVE “SHAPE” FACTORS ARE:
Spiritual gifts: Romans 8, Ephesians 4, and 1 Corinthians 12 "Spiritual Gifts" reveal a part of God's will for ministry. We also have lots of "God-given natural abilities".
Heart: The Bible uses the term "heart" to represent the centre of our motivations, desires, interests, inclinations (Matthews 12:34, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 4:23).
Abilities: Abilities are the natural talents we were born with. Exodus 31:3 gives an example of how God gives people "skill, ability, knowledge in all kinds of crafts" in order to accomplish his purposes.
Personality: God loves variety. We have different personalities which make the Church rich in what it does. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the Church and give it flavour.
Experiences: God never wastes an experience (Romans 8:28). Our experiences can enrich the lives of every member in the Church as well as individuals outside the Church.
N.B. We are SHAPED for SIGNIFICANCE. God needs our Talents, Time and Treasure for His Church to grow and become a force in the world. We are the carriers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A HAPPY CHURCH
Speak to people; Be genuinely interested in people;
Smile at people; Be generous with praise;
Call people by name; Be considerate of the feelings of others;
Be friendly and helpful; Be alert to give service;
Be cordial; Develop a sense of humour.
ROMANS 12:1-8
(Rick Warren)
1. EVERY BELIEVER IS A MINISTER
"Service" and "Giving" are the defining characteristics of the Christ like lifestyle of every believer: created for ministry (Ephesians 2:10); gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10); needed for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:27); accountable and rewarded for ministry (Colossians 3:23-24).
2. EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT
There are "no little people" in the Body of Christ (the Church), and there are "no insignificant ministries". Every ministry is important (1 Corinthians 12:18-22); some ministries are visible, some behind the scenes; even the smallest ministry can make the biggest difference.
3. WE ARE DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER
Every ministry (like in a jigsaw puzzle where each piece is required to complete the picture) is intertwined with all the others (1 Corinthians 18:21-27).
4. MINISTRY IS THE EXPRESSION OF MY SHAPE
Each of us was uniquely designed, or shaped, by God to do certain things. God has been moulding or shaping each one of us for ministry since we were born (Psalm 139:13-16).
THE FIVE “SHAPE” FACTORS ARE:
Spiritual gifts: Romans 8, Ephesians 4, and 1 Corinthians 12 "Spiritual Gifts" reveal a part of God's will for ministry. We also have lots of "God-given natural abilities".
Heart: The Bible uses the term "heart" to represent the centre of our motivations, desires, interests, inclinations (Matthews 12:34, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 4:23).
Abilities: Abilities are the natural talents we were born with. Exodus 31:3 gives an example of how God gives people "skill, ability, knowledge in all kinds of crafts" in order to accomplish his purposes.
Personality: God loves variety. We have different personalities which make the Church rich in what it does. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the Church and give it flavour.
Experiences: God never wastes an experience (Romans 8:28). Our experiences can enrich the lives of every member in the Church as well as individuals outside the Church.
N.B. We are SHAPED for SIGNIFICANCE. God needs our Talents, Time and Treasure for His Church to grow and become a force in the world. We are the carriers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A HAPPY CHURCH
Speak to people; Be genuinely interested in people;
Smile at people; Be generous with praise;
Call people by name; Be considerate of the feelings of others;
Be friendly and helpful; Be alert to give service;
Be cordial; Develop a sense of humour.
