(re)empowered

I recently replaced three sections of the fence that borders our neighbour's property.  Due to the fence location, I first had to build each section and then lift each section into place.  How heavy could 3 rails and 25 fence palings be?  Well you can only imagine!   I could not do this alone.  Each section was too heavy.  Thankfully the couple next door and my wife Jeannie gave me a hand.  The ancient proverb is so true: "Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together."  (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NCV)   Or as my parents used to say to me, "Many hands make light work!"  I was able to get the job done easier and quicker.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, most church leaders learned that they cannot do ministry alone.  Many pastors had to rely on help from colleagues, church members, and other professionals.  But this is the beauty of church ministry.  No one person is to do all the work.  In fact, every church member is to do "works of service" (Ephesians 4:12) in and through the local church.  Church leaders are called by God to equip God's people for these works of service.  Strengthened by our Lord Jesus, "the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  (Ephesians 4:12, 16)   Each person in the local church today has the potential to be used by God to do incredible things in and through the church.  As church leaders we are to empower God's people to expand God's kingdom, disciple Christ-followers, and to serve God's mission, making the most of every opportunity (see Colossians 4:5).

As state governments ease restrictions and churches reopen public ministry church leaders have a key moment in the life of their congregation to reempower their members.  The men, women, and children in our churches need to know that everyone of them has a significant, if not indispensable, role to play in Christian ministry.  Each believer has been given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (I Corinthians 12:7).  The church is made up of many parts and "God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Corinthians 12:18; see also Romans 12:3-8)  For our churches to adapt to the 'new normal' we will need every member to do their part.

One of the positive things that has resulted from the imposed lockdown is that Christians have (re)discovered that ministry is something they can do right where they are.  There has been a solid shift from Sunday ministry to every day ministry.   In order for people to grow in their faith, they don't have to come to a building or a church program.  People have learned to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth, for discipleship in their homes, and reaching out to their neighbourhoods and into their workplaces with the message of faith, hope, and love.  This is really a good thing, a solid theological move.  The Reformers of the 16th century spoke of the priesthood of all believers and, in some tangible way, this truth has become more real because of the pandemic.  Christians have (re)discovered that ministry is not just for the clergy; every believer is a minister.

Does this mean we do away with our buildings, and perhaps also our clergy?   Absolutely not.  We should, however do away with the erroneous idea that ministry is restricted to what happens on Sunday or in a church building.  Ministry happens wherever God's people live, learn, and do life!  Seven days a week!  Buildings or no buildings.  All of God's people are to be engaged in this ministry.   The primary role of pastors and church leaders is then not to do ministry but to equip all of God's people for ministry.   Reflecting in a recent blog on future church trends post COVID-19 Carey Nieuwhof writes: "church leaders will see themselves more as equippers, helping people bring their faith more deeply into the homes, neighborhoods and workplaces."

This 'fallout' from the COVID-19 pandemic is an exciting shift in our churches and (re)captures the heart of the CRCA missional task of TRAIN:  "To equip our church members to be disciples of Christ and multiply the number of well-trained leaders who are actively involved in God's mission."  Among other things this means as churches we are to continually identify and recruit all members into the evangelistic task of the mission; and utilise appropriate means for each member of their congregations to identify, use and enhance their God-given gifts, and introduce strategies to achieve these aims. 

So here is the challenge as churches begin to reopen.  Church leaders: seize the opportunity to empower every person to be actively engaged in ministry in their homes, neighbourhoods, schools, and workplaces.  Equip them, every one of them, to do the work of ministry!  The opportunities to reach the lost for Christ are many and there is no way anyone of us can do it alone!   Many hands make light work!   And as children of God, let us put on the mantle of ministry, every one of us, and do our part in God's mission in this world.   Seven days a week - wherever God places us!   Remember two is better than one.  Join hands with others to bear the burden of ministry.  Allow your leaders to equip you for ministry.  Be empowered!