Devotion:
Read Ephesians 4:7-13.
Paul’s letters often describe the gifts we are given to serve through the church, and his Letter to the Ephesians has some of the most important teachings about the gifts. Here Paul tells us that Christ himself gave the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to the church. It is interesting that the first three of these were travelers who were sent out, often to other places and cultures to introduce the Good News of Jesus Christ to unbelievers. Pastors and teachers, on the other hand, generally served in the local church. While they certainly received and baptized new believers, their primary role was to equip the believers and then to send them out. This describes a beautiful and repeating cycle of evangelism, nurture, equipping, and sending.
The mission statement of Christ Church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ and equip them for ministry. Equipping for ministry includes helping believers learn to study and understand Scripture; identify their gifts; put their gifts to work serving in the church and in the community; and to worship together, praising God and being renewed and energized. As we grow to maturity in faith, the church grows in love and service and reaches more new people for Christ.
Personal Worship Option:
Give thanks today for Christ Church and for its ministries both inside the church and out in the community. Reflect on your gifts and the ways you serve through the church. Reflect on how your ministries serve and fit into the church’s mission statement. Plan now to come to worship tomorrow or next Thursday night to Connect.
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