What is the proper role of a pastor? What duties, responsibilities, and obligations should be carried out by the person(s) entrusted to lead God's Church? The Early Church ran into this dilemma in its own way when some of the widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The disciples, keenly aware of their calling to witness and make disciples, declined to become personally involved in this aspect of the Church's ministry. Instead, they had the church choose seven men with reputations for wisdom and spiritually maturity from among themselves. The disciples then turned this ministry over to them and continued to concentrate upon prayer and the ministry of the Word.
The episode in the life of the Early Church beautifully illustrates the need for lay leadership in the church and the obvious truth that no pastor(s) can, or should, do everything. The reasons why churches fail to share the burden of ministry vary, from ego to timidity to laziness, but the end result if the same: burnt out ministers and churches more dead than alive. When God's people answer the call of service, there is no limit to what God can do in their midst.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
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