At MY Church
Years ago, another couple introduced my
wife and me to their church. We liked it, continued attending and our children
enjoyed their youth programs. We became more and more involved, and made many
new friends; but we hadn’t officially joined yet.
Then one day I heard the words come out
of my mouth: “I need to stop by my church.” That’s right, I said, “MY church!”
Over time, I had developed an ownership point-of-view. I had been transformed
from a church consumer into a church facilitator.
I have gradually been shown that I’m
not very good at sitting in the pew. If I’m at an event, including a church
service, I’m more comfortable teaching, playing piano, singing, adjusting the
sound or recording the event. That’s the way God wired me, and those are the
gifts God gave me. Someone else should sit in the pew, someone who’s good at it
– it’s better that way.
Notice that I used the word,
“facilitator.” It’s not the church leader’s job to do church FOR you. Leaders,
including pastors, should facilitate — help to enable everyone in their flock
to fulfill God’s ministry-call on their lives. In some way, we’re all called to
serve. I’ve never seen the term “non-serving believer” in the Bible.
At Jesus in the City Fellowship, we
believe church isn’t a spectator sport. We want everybody off the bench and in
the game.
Norton Lawellin
Mark your
calendar – October 7, 2012
Jesus in the
City Fellowship and Familia de Fe (Spanish language) will be worshiping together, in the main sanctuary of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th
Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. Pastor Michael Pilla teaching, Pastor
Walter Chuquimia translating. Pot luck follows in the gym – bring something to
share!
I’ll be on the
road for a couple of weeks, so John will lead worship on Sunday, Sept. 16, as
JICF worships 10:30am. Pastor Michael continues our journey
through Luke.
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