Ephesians 4: 15-16 (NKJV) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The church is a body ministry. How can we be a blessing to the church?
Because God is a God of order, He has appointed governing authorities over us, and He has given the pastor spiritual authority in the church. Therefore, if we don’t agree with the leadership, we should move on, rather than murmur and complain against them. God is a holy God and He despises rebellion against leadership. We read in Numbers Chapter 12 that God was displeased when Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. What they didn’t realise was that they were opposing God who had called Moses to lead the people toward the Promised Land.
Similarly, every church pastor is carrying out the mandate of the church vision given by God because every church has a special calling. Therefore, the local pastor would not adopt any “pet projects” of church members even though they may be good work. If the Lord has placed something in the pastor’s heart, they need to make a stand on their conviction. Therefore, we should not bad-mouth them or stir up strife within the church and lead people to leave the church. Lucifer also rebelled against God by leading a third of the angels with him.
In addition, we need to remember that the pastor can admonish us for our behaviour, for they are not our equal or friend but someone whom God has given the right to correct, rebuke, and train us in righteousness. Therefore, the local pastor must be willing to speak the truth in love even when it hurts, confront and spur those who are out of line to grow up. We need to accept that people are different, imperfect, and still works in progress so that we will be more gracious, loving, and forgiving towards them, including the local pastor. Therefore, every member of the church should leave their comfort zone and contribute to the growth of the church instead of criticising and murmuring about the shortcomings of the pastor or the church.
If we have identified a church as our home church, we would naturally be advocates, mobilisers, senders, and goers for all the activities organised and led by the pastor because we would want to contribute to the growth of the body of believers. We should have the attitude of filling the need when we see one rather than be critical of the shortcomings. Therefore, be a blessing to the local pastor by joyfully offering your gifts to serve!
Sermon Series: The Pastor
如何成为你教会的祝福
以弗所书 4:15-16 惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督；全身都靠他联络得合式，百节各按各职，照着各体的功用，彼此相助，便叫身体渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己。
教会是一个由肢体组成的事工。我们如何成为教会的祝福？
因为神是一位有秩序的神，祂已经任命了管理我们的权利机构，也就是教会，也赋予了牧师在教会中的属灵权柄。 因此，即便我们不完全同意教会领导层的意见，我们仍应该继续前行，而不是对他们发牢骚和抱怨。 神是圣洁的神，祂厌恶悖逆领袖的行为 。 我们在民数记第 12 章中读到，当米利暗和亚伦毁谤摩西时，神很不喜悦他们的言行。 他们没有意识到的是：他们所反对的是那位呼召摩西并带领以色列人前往应许之地的神。
同样，每个教会的牧师都在执行从神而来的教会异象的使命，因为每个教会都有各自的呼召。 因此，当地牧师会坚守从神而来的使命 ，不会去参与与其使命不匹配的事工，即便它们可能是好的工作。 如果神已将某件事放在牧师心里，他们就需要坚定自己的信念。 所以，我们应该支持教会异象的使命，不应该在教会内部随己意引起纷争，乃至带人离开教会。 路西法（撒旦）也曾带领三分之一的天使反抗上帝。
此外，我们需要记住，牧师可以针对我们的行为告诫我们，因为他们被上帝赋予纠正、责备和训练我们行在公义里的责任和权柄。 因此，当地的牧师需要用爱心说诚实话，哪怕这会带来伤害，和对抗，他们也要激励和鞭策人们在品格上的成长。 我们需要意识到每个人是不同的，也是不完美的，并且仍在进步的过程中，这样我们就会对他们更加仁慈、充满爱心和宽容，包括对当地的牧师。 因此，教会的每一个成员都应该离开自己的舒适区，为教会的成长做出贡献，而不是批评论断和抱怨牧师或教会的缺点。
如果我们认定了某间教会是我们所委身下来的教会，那么我们自然会成为牧师组织和领导的所有活动的支持者、动员者、传播者和参与者，因为我们希望为做基督肢体的信徒们的成长做出贡献。 我们应该抱着看到需要就主动补足的态度，而不是将缺点指认出来。 因此，要成为当地牧师的祝福，喜乐地献上自己的恩赐来服侍！
讲章系列：牧师
Image Source: pixabay.com