Comments on: Lay People: Servants Not Spectators http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:18:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Ray http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-19012 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:33:14 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-19012 Great article! One quibble, however. The statement: <i>Dean won thirty games that year, <b>a feat that hasn’t been repeated since</b></i> isn't exactly true. Denny McLain wone thirty-one games for the Detroit Tigers in 1968. Standing for truth, -Ray Great article! One quibble, however. The statement:

Dean won thirty games that year, a feat that hasn’t been repeated since

isn’t exactly true. Denny McLain wone thirty-one games for the Detroit Tigers in 1968.

Standing for truth,

-Ray

]]> by: Mark http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18591 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:27:40 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18591 Yes, I cringe every time I hear the term "laity", or "lay person". For that matter, I'm not fond of the term "clergy". All believers are ministers, with a variety of gifts. Some of them are pastors, or pastor-teachers, or administrators. And some of them have a far less obvious gift. But there are no amateurs, no part-timers. Yes, I cringe every time I hear the term “laity”, or “lay person”. For that matter, I’m not fond of the term “clergy”. All believers are ministers, with a variety of gifts. Some of them are pastors, or pastor-teachers, or administrators. And some of them have a far less obvious gift. But there are no amateurs, no part-timers.

]]> by: tc r http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18449 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:02:18 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18449 An encouraging article indeed. But I thought pastor MacArthur would have taken the time to dispel the unfortunate dichotomy between laity and clergy. In fact, a failure to dispel the dichotomy is part of our plaguing problem in the ministry. Scripture no where make this unfortunate dichotomy. Those considered "clergy" are just serving in a different function. While the rest who are considered "laity," serve in a different capacity with their giftedness (1Pet 4:10f). An encouraging article indeed. But I thought pastor MacArthur would have taken the time to dispel the unfortunate dichotomy between laity and clergy.

In fact, a failure to dispel the dichotomy is part of our plaguing problem in the ministry. Scripture no where make this unfortunate dichotomy.

Those considered “clergy” are just serving in a different function. While the rest who are considered “laity,” serve in a different capacity with their giftedness (1Pet 4:10f).

]]> by: Morris Brooks http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18337 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:32:59 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18337 Sarah, Look at I Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and I Peter 4 for the "listing" of the gifts. Read the chapters to get the context of the gifts, which will help you gain understanding of their use and purpose. A good foundation is to always keep I Corinthians 12:4-6 in the front of your mind. We see here that the gifts are from the Spirit, the ministries are from the Lord, and the effects are from God. We are but the vessels that these grace gifts are channeled through for the benefit of the body. As Paul says we are stewards of the grace given to us and as stewards we are to be found trustworthy/faithful. If you have any more questions click on my name and email me. Morris Sarah,

Look at I Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and I Peter 4 for the “listing” of the gifts. Read the chapters to get the context of the gifts, which will help you gain understanding of their use and purpose. A good foundation is to always keep I Corinthians 12:4-6 in the front of your mind. We see here that the gifts are from the Spirit, the ministries are from the Lord, and the effects are from God. We are but the vessels that these grace gifts are channeled through for the benefit of the body. As Paul says we are stewards of the grace given to us and as stewards we are to be found trustworthy/faithful.

If you have any more questions click on my name and email me.

Morris

]]> by: sarah http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18273 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 07:10:40 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18273 Morris, it does...that was great! What about other gifts? I would like to see what you have to say about them. I'm concrete in my thinking sometimes and need a list that puts these gifts to actual actions. A person might be doing these and not realize it. Not that they actually have to realize it as long as they are doing it, but maybe someone who isn't could see it and realize that it would be something they could do. Morris,
it does…that was great! What about other gifts? I would like to see what you have to say about them. I’m concrete in my thinking sometimes and need a list that puts these gifts to actual actions. A person might be doing these and not realize it. Not that they actually have to realize it as long as they are doing it, but maybe someone who isn’t could see it and realize that it would be something they could do.

]]> by: Morris Brooks http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18253 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:10:41 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18253 Sarah, Hospital visitation, nursing home visitation, bereavement ministry, home-bound visitation, shoulder to cry on, meals where needed, and more. Mercy is compassion in action and involves the healing and nurturing of the wounded in the body. It usually revolves around those in the body who are hurting or suffering in some way ie emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Ministry is not duty but service to brothers and sisters in Christ. The motivation is love (John 13:35), the ability is Spirit given and manifests the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4-11), and the opportunities are ordained by God (Ephesians 2:10). Ministry is not a duty to perform, but a burden and a calling that are both God given. Duty is born out of a sense of oblgation, ministry is born out of a desire to serve God by serving others and meet the needs that your gift is designed for. Hopes this helps a little. Morris Sarah,

Hospital visitation, nursing home visitation, bereavement ministry, home-bound visitation, shoulder to cry on, meals where needed, and more. Mercy is compassion in action and involves the healing and nurturing of the wounded in the body. It usually revolves around those in the body who are hurting or suffering in some way ie emotionally, physically, or spiritually.

Ministry is not duty but service to brothers and sisters in Christ. The motivation is love (John 13:35), the ability is Spirit given and manifests the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4-11), and the opportunities are ordained by God (Ephesians 2:10). Ministry is not a duty to perform, but a burden and a calling that are both God given. Duty is born out of a sense of oblgation, ministry is born out of a desire to serve God by serving others and meet the needs that your gift is designed for.

Hopes this helps a little.

Morris

]]> by: sarah http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18105 Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:14:22 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/04/23/servants-not-spectators/#comment-18105 Great post! It would be great if you could equate gift with duty. I understand how a gift of giving or teaching would be used but how about your example of mercy. How would a person who is merciful fulfill their duties in the church using their gift of mercy? Great post! It would be great if you could equate gift with duty. I understand how a gift of giving or teaching would be used but how about your example of mercy. How would a person who is merciful fulfill their duties in the church using their gift of mercy?

]]>