WHAT THE WORLD AND EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS…NOW

WHAT THE WORLD AND EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS… NOW.

 

I believe wholeheartedly in the protestant reformation’s declaration that there is a priesthood of believers. I, however, don’t agree that every call is to the pulpit. One of the greatest frustrations I have encountered as “professional” clergy is the handling of those who have been called but who express no interest in the preaching ministry or display no aptitude for it. I have been frustrated because in my tradition, any discussion about calling is often followed by the setting of a date for that person to preach an “initial” or “trial” sermon. My frustration stems from the fact that I believe this practice stifles their growth and ultimate potential as image bearers in the world.

“The goal is to equip and empower the called to understand the tremendous ministry opportunities which abound in the marketplace.”

Apparently, the Apostle Paul was confronted by similar issues in the church in Corinth. And in his first letter to that church, he records these words, “Brothers and sisters, each person as responsible to GOD, should remain in the situation they were in when GOD called them.” I believe this is what the world needs now.

In other words, the goal is not more professional clergy, although this is important for the preservation of the church. The goal is to encourage the called to lean further into their current situations. The goal must become to equip and empower the called to understand the tremendous ministry opportunities which abound in the marketplace. Our goal must be to help the called realize that God can and will use them where they are to edify others and bring glory to Himself.

This shift reminds us that God is as concerned with the world outside of our churches as He is with the worshippers inside our churches. This should remind us that GOD is seeking faithful witnesses not only in the church, but in our work environments and in our family settings. GOD is seeking faithful witnesses in the places where we shop and in the places where we spend our moments of leisure. He is seeking faithful witnesses who want their church as well as their communities to flourish and reach their GOD given potential. Ultimately, he desires faithful witnesses who express and extend what Tom Nelson calls “Neighborly Love” to those we sit next to Sunday after Sunday as well as those we rub elbows with during the week in the marketplaces and meeting spaces.

I am fortunate that I serve as the Chief Servant Leader of Next Level Youth and Family Services in Richmond, VA. In this role beyond my work as “professional clergy” I have the blessed opportunity to offer grace and hope to hurting children, broken families and declining communities. In this role, I am able to help the communities of Richmond flourish by supporting our youth, strengthening our families and serving the common good of our communities. Likewise, we all have GOD ordained opportunities as we go about our “work”, whether paid or unpaid to be used and to walk out our calling.

I pray that every believer will seek to fully understand the potential and possibility present in Paul’s admonition that “each person as responsible to GOD, should remain in the situation they were in when GOD called them.”