It’s been kind of a long road, the past year or so, searching for a new pastor for our church… longer for some, I’m sure than for others. Being without a pastor can take its toll on a church, from dwindling attendance and bare bones programming, to the natural decline in giving that is often evident.
But Ephesians 4:11-12 reminds us of the gifts God has given to the church. It says, “He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…”
And though, when a church is without a pastor, we tend to focus on what we lack in terms of leadership, vision, and spiritual care… this time in between can also be a time for the church to shine. After all, the church is bigger than any one person.
This past Sunday we worshipped together and had our annual tradition of sharing, not a message from the pulpit, but from the members. It was our annual testimony service. And the message was a single one, which became increasingly clear as each person stood to share about how their small groups, the elders, and so many other members of the church had served them, prayed for them, cared for them, and ministered to them in their times of need.
Sure, it’s true: we are a church without a senior pastor. But we are certainly not a church without pastors.
Our church is full of people who are equipped to shepherd, to care, and to pray for one another, and who take seriously their role to build up the body of Christ. Our church is full of people with a story to tell, a challenge to bring, and an understanding of the Truth to communicate. And that is exactly what we have done. One-on-one, and in small groups, we have encouraged one another, exhorted one another, and made it a point to keep the Gospel front and center in our lives, and in our families, and in our community.
For our church, 2013 came and went without a senior pastor. But there was no shortage of ministry, of service, or of caring. We are a strong church. We are a healthy church. We are using our gifts. And we are shining.
How have you seen the members of your church sharing their gifts?
Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow is an easy-to-use, self-guided questionnaire that helps you identify and understand your unique God-given spiritual gifts as well as how they can be used. For easy use and self-scoring, a spiritual inventory is included in the back of the book.
