Multigenerationally Manning-Up for Ministry Part 2: Entrusting - GBC Bulletin Column #7

Last week I sought to relate how important it is that churches equip their people, and especially their men, with the necessary tools for leadership in the local church and life in a fallen world. If they aren’t prepared to serve God and man, how can they be expected to serve well, if at all? Depending on the gifts of the person, there are several excellent ways in which this duty of equipping may be pursued but it is vital that it start in the discipling, teaching ministry of the local church.

What good is it if men have the equipment but they aren’t given a job on which to use it? A flash new set of tools thrown into the corner of a dusty shed to be obscured by spider webs and forgotten by time is of no use to anybody and looses any significance it might once have had. For this reason the apostle Paul urged Timothy to note men who could be entrusted with the important work of teaching: “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 Tim. 2:2). We aren’t about “preaching to the choir”. More like preaching through the choir. You attend growth groups? We want you to grow to where you can lead one yourself. You benefit from the preaching? We want you at the base level to get to where you can clearly articulate what you learn from the Scriptures to other people. Men, we want you to be able to teach men. Women, we want you to be able to teach women. Parents, we want you to be able to teach children. Children, we want you to listen and learn so that you too can lead. The people you teach can later be entrusted to teach others, even further building Christ’s body! Church isn’t show-time, it’s serve-time. Expect then, to have something entrusted to you, even as it has been entrusted to me.

The qualification you need? Faithfulness. Entrusting is about coming alongside members of the body of Christ and saying with Paul: “Do not neglect the gift you have…” (1 Tim. 4:14). Are you going to start good and strong? Not necessarily. Are you always going to do well? Not always. But, “practise these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Tim. 4:15). 

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) 09/06/2013.