We all know that Christians have a lot of their own language. We toss out "salvation" like it's a common word in everyone's vocabulary. We talk about "regeneration" and "sanctification" and "justification" like they're everyday concepts. We all use the word "love" without regard for what it means. It's what is known as "jargon," special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand. And it's fine as long as the people with whom we're using these terms all agree on what we mean by these terms.
One that we use often is the idea of "ministry." We have people we hire to be "ministers" and we understand that "the ministry" is not a concept as much as a profession. It's for a particular set of people in the faith who are particularly qualified and specially called to the task. So why does it not seem to trip anyone up when we read that the primary purpose of the church is "to equip the saints for the work of ministry" (Eph 4:12)? Many of us are likely saying, "Uh, Paul, you don't understand. That's not our job; that's the pastor's job." But clearly that's not what Paul thinks. Silly Paul. He thinks that "the saints" -- all who are in Christ -- will be doing "the work of ministry." Strange.
What does this "work of ministry" entail? It includes "building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12) with an aim to "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph 4:13). We are to end up no longer children, but "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ" (Eph 4:15). "Yes," some are saying, "that's what we've been saying. That's not our job. That's the pastor's job. That's the deacons' job or the elders' job. That's not us!" But it is.
It is Sunday. Imagine if we went to church on Sunday with that kind of mindset. Imagine if we didn't go just to get a nice sermon and some good songs. What would it look like at church if we -- each and every one of us -- went to minister? I heard two ladies talking one Sunday. "Where's your daughter these days?" "Oh, she and her husband are going to a bigger church now. They didn't want to have to be involved with ministry." What if that was precisely why we went to church? What if we went to serve? That's really the word there. What if we went to edify others and build them up and equip them? What if we went to teach even if it isn't formal and to encourage and to engage? What if we went to give as much as we go to get? What if we went intentionally to minister to our ministers and serve our servers? I'd like to be at that church. I'd like to be a part of that ministry. Funny thing. That's what Paul should be normal rather than unusual. How about you?
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