2021 References
2021 References
The operation of local church ministries in the USA is managed by the respective church council members, and the planning and decisions are usually made during the monthly council meetings. The local church council is the driving force of the church ministry. Their work is not only limited to scheduling and coordinating the works; they are also responsible for guiding the spiritual growth of the congregation. Therefore, the continual spiritual growth of each and every council member is crucial. Whether God abides with the church council depends on whether all the council members are actively seeking for God’s will and diligently walking in all His ways.
The common reality of the church council is that every individual is occupied with work and life affairs. Generally speaking, church council members are busy during Sabbath services because many of them can only go to church on Sabbath and must finish their tasks during that time period. It is not easy for council members to spend time in prayer with a quiet heart on the Sabbath. It is even harder for all the council members to pray together without distractions during the Sabbath.
The resident full-time minister who is assigned by the GA plays a role of a spiritual shepherd to the churches he is responsible for. However, there are times when the resident full-time minister is not able to attend the council meetings that involve making decisions for the church ministry. Thus, the council members are the ones making some of the important decisions for the church. As we all know, decisions result in consequences; whether they are good or bad depend on whether the decisions are according to God’s will or not. Therefore, it is important for every council member to seek God’s will in prayer and receive spiritual wisdom and eyesight to discern. “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9).
If the local church council members must attend the monthly council meetings to discuss church matters, it is equally important for the church council members to gather once a month to cohesively spiritually cultivate through biblical learning and encouragement from the resident full-time minister, followed by prayer in one accord. The attitude of constant self-improvement with fellow council members to collectively seek for the will of God in this significant holy work will not only be commendable in God’s sight, but also sets a good example for members to follow.
Since the monthly cultivation could be done online/virtually, it would be easier to schedule than an in-person gathering. The church council usually has a fixed date and time for the monthly council meetings; the council could likewise schedule the monthly spiritual cultivation with the resident pastor to be on the weekdays or weekends, a time when all the council members are able to join together.
The church council would coordinate with the full-time minister to decide the topics and content in order to meet the spiritual needs of the council members. Below is a list of suggestions to consider for spiritual cultivation.
Sacrifice faithfully: Be willing to sacrifice with a whole heart. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom 12:1)
Time management: 40-60 hours of work; what about time for personal spiritual cultivation? “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17)
Priority management: When we plan and make decisions, every small detail matters. For example: When we plan a vacation, do we book a flight on Saturday at 10 AM and miss the entire Sabbath? We can book a flight after church service or leave on Sunday. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col 3:2)
Spiritual discipline: Let us learn about the importance of improving in our spiritual cultivation as workers of God. We need to continuously reach higher in our spiritual pursuit and spiritually challenge ourselves. “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Tim 4:7-8)
Stand against the tides of the world: Let us build up our spiritual defenses against the trends of the secular world. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 Jn. 2:15) "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom 12:2)
Spiritual revival: Are we feeling spiritually, dry, lukewarm, burnt out? Let us learn the importance of rooting downward. "Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” (Eze 37:5-6) "And the remnants who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward." (Isa 37:31)
Build up spiritual treasure: Let us build up spiritual treasures; emphasize less on earthly treasures. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mt 6:19-21)
Tower of Babel in our lives: It seems that we often want to make a “name” for ourselves or “make it to the top” in the world, but do we want to spend time to glorify and magnify the name of our Lord? "And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Gen 11:4)
Take up thy cross and follow Jesus: Bear the cross of Jesus as His valiant workers. Answer the call. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mt 16:24)
God will provide: The Lord God will provide for all our needs. Put Him first in our lives, and we will see that He will guide us beautifully in His time. "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Php 4:19)
Have abundant faith: We all know that we need to have faith, but how do we genuinely increase our faith? “But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour." (Mt 9:22)
The importance of preaching the gospel: Sometimes, we grow lax in preaching the word of God and we forget God's great commission because we are so entrenched in our respective corners of holy work. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2)