People in Ministry (6)
And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying: ‘Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart…’” Exodus 35.4, 5
Gifted all
We do not know how long it took the people of Israel to finish the work of building the tabernacle and all that went with it. This work required an abundance of resources and a wide range of skills and abilities, both intellectual and manual, involving people in the sweat of their brow and the fine guidance of their hands. Lots of “background” work was involved as well, everything from carrying and sorting materials to keeping fires going, making lunches, maintaining the workplaces, and keeping an eye out for any bad guys on the horizon.
We don’t know how many of the people of Israel were involved in this work; apparently it was not all. Rather, those whose hearts the Lord stirred to this work gave of themselves and their possessions and stayed on task until the vision was realized and the work was done.
Part of what we’re seeking in this series is to learn what God uses to stir hearts for ministry. When God stirs the hearts of His people for ministry, they will respond. They will embrace the vision He has made known through His Word, and they will follow those leaders whose lives, commitment, and abilities qualify them to direct the work of the Lord.
But each one who takes up the work of the Lord must also know what their specific work is and how it contributes to realizing the Lord’s vision. Thus, leaders, like good shepherds (Jn. 10.14), must know the people they lead well enough to help them discover a role within the vision for building the church (1 Cor. 12.7-11). And they must help them see how their individual gifts and abilities, many and varied, matter in the large scope of the work of the Lord.
Varieties of gifts and offerings
This is what Moses did in the situation we have been considering. He specifically enumerated the kinds of material gifts and the wide range of skills and abilities that were needed for the work of the tabernacle. In the list of resources and the outline of tasks he provided in Exodus 35 is ample space for many, many people to identify a place to serve in the work of the Lord. And as many as were willing responded to the vision and call and found their place to serve.It’s possible that church leaders are not as thorough about ministry needs and opportunities as they might be. Too often we act as if only a few gifts really matter in the work of the church—such as, preaching, teaching, administering, giving, or doing the work of evangelism. Everyday gifts for working our Personal Mission field can go overlooked.
A healthy, growing church requires all the saints to be equipped for ministry and to find their place to do the good works God has before ordained for them (Eph. 2.10). This will begin in their Personal Mission Field, and their Personal Mission Field will in many ways intersect with their role as members of the body of Christ.
The clearer our vision for building the church, and all the tasks that must go into that, and the harder church leaders work at equipping the people for ministry, the more people will be able to find their way into those ministry activities that build the church and advance the Kingdom. And the better leaders know their people and understand the needs and opportunities for ministry before them, the better they will be able to equip those members within the larger vision of the church and Kingdom.
A body in ministry
The “works of ministry” for which all saints are to be equipped are those daily good works of service and love the Lord brings to them, including those special works for which God calls them in building His church. Church membership is a call to wall-building, as in the days of Nehemiah. Everybody on the wall!
But a body in ministry doesn’t simply happen because a church has a membership. The purpose of leaders is to lead, to know what must be done, identify and equip people for ministry, and set them to the various tasks that grow church members in unity and maturity in the Lord. Such a healthy, growing church will create an overflow of grace and truth, spilling out into the surrounding community.
We cannot flourish if 20% of the people do 80% of the work while 80% of the people contribute almost nothing. We must tell the people what the Lord is seeking, call them to identify their gifts and opportunities, and then seek the Lord earnestly to engage them with us in the work of building Jesus’ Church.
For reflection
1. What gifts for ministry has God bestowed on you? How are you using them to build His Church?
2. “We cannot flourish if 20% of the people do 80% of the work while 80% of the people contribute almost nothing.” Explain.
3. Are there gifts for ministry you would like to explore? How might you do that?
Next steps—Preparation: Make sure you have identified the gifts, resources, and opportunities the Lord has given you for building His Church and seeking His Kingdom. Look for places to use these in ministry.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues an extensive look at the Kingdom of God in our book, The Kingdom Turn. In our Crosfigell teaching letter, we are looking at the state of pastors and churches during the period of the Celtic Revival, using contemporary witnesses. And in our Scriptorium column we are studying the sermon on the mount. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
