Multigenerationally Manning-Up for Ministry Part 1: Equipping - GBC Bulletin Column #6

I was recently in a discussion that mentioned the failure of churches to think multigenerationally. A story was told about a man who clung to his local church ministry into extreme old age. While there is one level upon which the fellow might be admired, it can also be said that there lurks behind the heroic façade a rather serious problem. As this man neared the finish line of his life, he didn’t pass on the baton of ministry to anyone else, nor indeed was there such a person who had been trained to continue the race. The work died. Such situations can be prevented if a church follows biblical principles.

A young church leader named Timothy once received a letter from the aging apostle Paul, written from death row in a Roman prison. Part of it reads “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1-2). This “manning-up” for ministry first involves equipping. Timothy had served alongside Paul from youth in the missionary work of church planting. He had been taught by the apostle from the Scriptures to “always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5). This training came from the Scriptures, God-breathed words able to make people wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus that are “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Not every man is going to be a pastor or even a preacher in the local church. God has given various gifts to different people, but the church should recognise those gifts and facilitate their use. Every believing man has some good work that they can do in the church, for God’s glory in the exaltation of Christ by his body. If the man of God is going to use his gifts well, doing his duty like a good soldier, athlete, or farmer (2 Tim. 2:4-6), then he is going to need equipment. It is the responsibility of the local church and its leaders to ensure that he has what he needs. Only then can the pastor honestly say with Paul, “What you have heard from me…” 

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) 02/06/2013.