The Spirit of Supportive Ministry
Diversities of Ministries - 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Rom. 12:1-5.
No ministry can succeed alone, we all need help, hence the ministry of helps.
The Ministry of Helps - 1 Cor. 12:28-31.
It is a ministry to bring help not hell.
We are all "technically" called to this ministry.
It is a supportive not a destructive ministry.
How To?
1. I must value myself - Philemon 6; Rom. 15:14; Eph. 2:10.
Until you value yourself you cannot effectively bless anyone.
You cannot sell a product you don’t value.
2. I must treasure my gift - Prov. 17:8.
Your gift will prosper to the extent you perceive it as valuable.
This is the key to faithfulness - Mt. 25:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2.
3. I must value the ministry (local church) I am in - Rom. 12:4-9; 1 Cor. 3:9-16.
The Church is God¡¦s garden, His building, His temple and the apple of His eye.
To succeed in life and ministry you must see the Church the way God sees her - Eph. 1:16-21; Gal. 3:28-29, 6:15.
4. I must value unity - Ps. 133; Eph. 4:16.
It involves;
Completing not competing
Gathering not Scattering
Assembling not Dismantling
Being A Part not Apart - Rom. 12:5; Eph. 4:25.
Cohesion not Confusion - 1 Cor. 14:33.
5. I must simply help - 1 Pet. 4:10.
Leadership is not forcing people to do what you want but rather helping them to do what they ought; more than hype, IT IS HELP.
i. Appreciate the anointing on your Pastor¡¦s life - Mk. 6:1-6; 1 Thess. 5:12-14; Rom. 13:7.
ii. Hold up your Pastor’s arms - Ex. 17:9-13; 2 Tim. 4:11.
iii. Be loyal to your Pastor; don’t be quick to run off when things are tough. Give him/her the benefit of the doubt (Faith).
iv. Be submissive to your Pastor - Lk. 16:10-12.
Distinguish between submission and agreement
Agreement does not call for submission.
It’s when you disagree that you are to consciously bring yourself to submit - Heb: 13:17.
v. Be an encouragement - Use the 5 love languages.
Quality time - Prayer
Giving of Gifts - Increases the perception of appreciation or love.
Words of affirmation - Increases the perception of value.
Acts of service - including your tithes and offerings
Physical (Spiritual) touch - There is a place for physical contact.
If you were your pastor, would you be satisfied with your current performance as a member of the ministry of helps?
Ask yourself "Is my current action(s) helping my Pastor / my Local Church to succeed"?
If you cannot answer both questions honestly, in the affirmative, then you need to change.
I believe the next key; in #6 below will help you make the change(s) you need to make, so take heed to it.
6. I must fear God.
I do what I do, not for the sake of man but God.
This ensures you’re not guilty of eye-service - Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22ff.
i. Repent - 1 Thess. 5:14; 1 Cor. 1:9.
ii. Forgive and Forget - Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:10-13.
iii. Be Thankful - Col. 3:15.
iv. Make my service "a worship" unto God - Acts 24:14; Phil. 3:3.
The word service is translated as worship in many parts the Bible.
Copyright 2008 Dr. David Ibeleme
P.O. BOX 4378, ST. ANN’S, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD. W.I.
+1(868) 625-6863 / 623-1020
E-mail: info@vfmwo.org, vfmwo@hotmail.com, faithnuggets@hotmail.com
Website : vfmwo.org
