Exploring God’s Plan for Every Christian

1. Every Christian is a chosen      MINISTER      and is part of the priesthood of believers.

Too many churches believe in a priesthood of priests. They give the impression that only those who are professional ministers should be involved in ministry.  Allowing this to continue has been a setback for the church in America.  We believe that a revitalized understanding of the important role that every believer must play is a key to seeing health return to the American church.

This is why at Church on the Ridge we believe that the mark of maturity for a believer is that they are involved in service!  

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” —1 Peter 2:9

“He has made us competent as ministers of the new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit…" — 2 Corinthians 3:6

2. Every Christian is      PART      of God’s plan for the church.

“ . . . those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” —1 Corinthians 12:22

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called . . . ” —Ephesians 4:3-4

Churches are like a restaurant.  The first time you go into an excellent restaurant, you are seated in the dining room, you enjoy the ambiance, you are served by courteous people, and you enjoy a succulent meal.  You may go back many times to that restaurant. 

But that is only one side of that restaurant. There also is the kitchen.  The kitchen is the hub of activity where the team of managers, wait staff, bell staff, hosts and hostesses, and cooks work together to produce your dining experience. 

A church is similar.  To come in and enjoy what the church has to offer is one experience.  That is the experience of an attender.  To become part of the team that helps make the experience happen is what it is to become an active participant, or member.  As a participant you still eat in the dining room—you still enjoy all the church has to offer, but your experience becomes richer because you become one of the people who are playing a role in making it all happen.  And once you do that, it is more fulfilling than only watching from the sidelines.

3. Every Christian is to      HONOR      God in all areas of their life.

It has never been more critical that Christian lives speak of authenticity.

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  —1 Peter 2:12

4. Every Christian has been given a spiritual      GIFT      from God to be used for service to others.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  —1 Peter 4:10

Hospital visitations, meals for the sick, wedding or baby parties – these are things that churchs have taken on as an administrative tasks instead of a ministry opportunities. We feel that these should flow out of people’s gifts and the natural relationships within the church.

As a church we do not want to be structured for bureaucracy and hierarchy but for action and accountability.   The more that the church relegates for the “pastors” to do, the less involvement that the rest of the body has and the result is a weak body.  Many church-goers have developed an un-Biblical mind-set that they give money so that paid church staff will do all of the ministry.   This is very unhealthy for the church, church staff, and the church members who are not actively doing what God has equipped them to do.

The true test of health is not just the sharpness of the head but also the tone of the body.  The last thing we want for our church is to have worn out, overworked, leaders and a flabby, weak body.   We want a body that is functioning at peak performance. 

It is not coincidence that the three largest churches in the country (Willow Creek Church in Illinois, Saddleback Church in California, and Southeast Christian in Kentucky) are all widely different in style, denomination and location.  The one thing that they are all the same in is that they all test their members for their spiritual gifts and involve them in those areas.

Consider the four statements above.  Which one speaks to you the most and why? 

Send your response to your instructor:  roxy@asof.org

Subject:  1-1 God's Plan