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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

A Measure of Meaning: Staff



A shepherd's staff is a long pole with a curved crook, which helped the shepherd to reach into tight spots and rescue a lamb. David used a staff to guide and protect his sheep. The staff didn’t get up and “do” the work by itself. The staff was an instrument which equipped David to accomplish something of importance. Without the staff, David would not be able to properly take care of his sheep. Without David, the staff would be useless and not be able to reach a single lost sheep.

The relationship between the local church and the church staff is much like this picture. The church staff is there to equip the people of God as they gather for worship and then go out in service to the world. The people of God are called into action and charged with the care and feeding of Christ’s sheep (John 21:15-19). In a thriving local church, both the membership and the staff have specific purposes, yet are interdependent in ministry. A journey of faith includes learning how to support one another as we seek to please God.

I think back to the church my family attended when I was very young. The building was an old army barracks without electricity or plumbing. The staff consisted of the pastor and the organist (my mother), whose gifts and talents were not construction. I remember listening to the staff and the leaders of the church discussing what needed to be done, and then spending many weekends at that site where a multitude of people where working. Some were swinging hammers, some were painting, some were bringing water out to the thirsty.

Although the pastor guided them and led the decision making, it was the people who made things happen. It was my mother who chose the hymns and played, but it was the people who filled that tiny building with beautiful music. It was the pastor whose preaching and teaching made me hungry to know more about Christ, but it was the men on the building committee who opened my eyes to what it means to serve the Lord with gladness. Pray for your staff and for your members, that God would give His perfect guidance and enable them to joyfully work together to build up the kingdom of God.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Valerie,

Our church website has made great strides in recent months and your new blog is a welcome addition. I've enjoyed reading your insights. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Kim F.