QC and SG accountability (31/1/20)
Two weeks ago we learned from Joseph that students in class were categorized into high medium and low achieving groups ("Hippos", "Manatees" and "Lions") I said then that it was possible to categorize churchgoers into categories as well: e.g. those who are mature spiritually, self-driven to learn and committed, those who were content to attend church faithfully, and those who attended church occasionally. How should the leader of a church, small group or ministry approportion his or her time with these different groups?
On one hand, it is right to pay every member attention. 1 Thes 5:14 says, "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.". We know that we should be spending time with individuals as the Lord leads us. Jesus definitely had time for individuals, but although he spoke to crowds, He also spent special time with the 70/72, the 12, the 3 and the 1.
However, as a ministry strategy, it seems to me that we should be ensuring a legacy of faithful and fruitful work in the Kingdom by entrusting a certain way of life and understanding of truth to the right people. Paul calls these people "faithful men", Church leaders are not mainly to minister to everyone, but to "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12). There should be a 'trickle-down' effect: we must be engaged in building and equipping those who can teach and lead other.
Jesus stated a spiritual principle in His parable of the 10 minas (Lk 19:11-27): "
I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (v.26). When we are rich in the things of God, we will be given more of the things of God- He knows we know how to steward His gifts well. But if our lives are already empty of His life and grace, even the little we have of God will be taken away.
We also talked about Romans 14-15. The 'strong' are strong in their grasp of theological truth, whereas the week are not. We should not judge or despise one another, but should instead deal with one another in love, without stumbling the weak. Paul adds the interesting injunction, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind". Each one must find for himself or herself the truth about beliefs we hold, especially in Scripture.
On one hand, it is right to pay every member attention. 1 Thes 5:14 says, "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.". We know that we should be spending time with individuals as the Lord leads us. Jesus definitely had time for individuals, but although he spoke to crowds, He also spent special time with the 70/72, the 12, the 3 and the 1.
However, as a ministry strategy, it seems to me that we should be ensuring a legacy of faithful and fruitful work in the Kingdom by entrusting a certain way of life and understanding of truth to the right people. Paul calls these people "faithful men", Church leaders are not mainly to minister to everyone, but to "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12). There should be a 'trickle-down' effect: we must be engaged in building and equipping those who can teach and lead other.
Jesus stated a spiritual principle in His parable of the 10 minas (Lk 19:11-27): "
I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (v.26). When we are rich in the things of God, we will be given more of the things of God- He knows we know how to steward His gifts well. But if our lives are already empty of His life and grace, even the little we have of God will be taken away.
We also talked about Romans 14-15. The 'strong' are strong in their grasp of theological truth, whereas the week are not. We should not judge or despise one another, but should instead deal with one another in love, without stumbling the weak. Paul adds the interesting injunction, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind". Each one must find for himself or herself the truth about beliefs we hold, especially in Scripture.
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