HOW TO INVOLVED PEOPLE IN MINISTRY
SCRIPTURE:
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Mark 3:13—19)
OBSERVATION:
Many people called themselves into ministry. However, it is Christ who does the calling. Jesus did these three things with his disciples. Interestingly enough, all the men Jesus called into ministry have no impressive resumes. They were hard-working men. They were not lazy or irresponsible. They were responsible for their families and bringing in the fish for the well-being of their community. They have quite unique meanings to their names that say something about their characters. Two of the disciples were known as “sons of thunder.” One of them was a zealot. A zealot is a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals. And still, another is called a betrayer.
Jesus knew each of them and who they were and still called them to minister with him. I learned today these important principles of involvement in ministry. To involve people and to prepare them for ministry, Jesus did this:
- First, pray about those individuals that are potential partners for the ministry.
- Second, Call those whom you want to be a part of what you are doing
- Third, let the people respond to the call and let them come of their own volition. We don’t have to nag them.
- Fourth, He appointed them to be with him
- Fifth, He prepared them to be sent out to preach
- Sixth, he empowered them. He gave them the authority to drive out demons.
- Seventh, he called each one by name from his prepared list.
APPLICATION:
This is important for me as I continue to look to involve many people in the work of the ministry. Sometimes I am just hoping for people to come and join the work, but Jesus shows here how we can get others to be involved in the work of the ministry. I will apply this reminder as we are rebuilding the church to reach the now and the new generation.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to see that people don’t just get involved in the work of the ministry. I pray for your wisdom and guidance daily. Please help me to reach out to so many whom you have brought into the ministry. I ask that you raise up many who have the heart to serve you and to be a blessing to so many that you have brought to church. I ask all these in your name, Amen!
