Friday, February 2, 2013
Building People of Substance for Works of Power
You are planted, Friend
Last Sunday our Volunteer Coordinator was sharing on his role in helping new members get connected in a place of service. In the process he made a great analogy: “Becoming a member is like the difference in renting an apartment and owning a house.” The more I thought about that, the more profound it seemed. The difference is a sense of ownership – translate that “responsibility.” The person with a commitment is an owner, not a tenant; a player, not a fan. I know we are a little odd, in that we have a membership process. We ask people to make a commitment to us as their pastors and to the church as their family in the Lord. It may be odd, but it means something to us. Personally, I believe that it is impossible for a Christian to fully experience the blessing and purpose God intends without a committed relationship to a local church. We call that “membership.” Paul said that as Christians, we are not just members of the Universal Church, but members of one another; connected horizontally as well as vertically. We are planted trees, not tumbleweeds; building blocks, not rolling stones.
- A planted tree flourishes in the presence of God for the long haul: Ps 92:13-15
- A planted tree bears fruit, prospers, and doesn’t wither: Psalm 1:3
- Planted trees bring glory to God: Is 61:3
- A building block is fixed in place to house the Presence: Eph 2:21-22 / 1 Pet 2:5
Sure not everyone keeps their commitments, but al least they were asked to make one. At least one time, they have to consciously say, “No, I just want to watch the rest of you live out the Kingdom. I find it entertaining, but not compelling.”
Somebody Said: Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi
Scripture Reading: Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (Romans 12:4-5 NLT)
If you don’t have a commitment, make one! It’s good being an owner. It builds equity.
vls
