Something to Think About: Ministry Teams tagged: ,

Something to Think About: Ministry Teams

Posted by in Bible & Theology, Church & Missions

In I Corinthians 12, which is a clear chapter on ecclesiology, the apostle Paul integrates the individual within the body of Christ. The topic of discussion is spiritual gifts and their use in the church. The Corinthian church reportedly was emphasizing certain spiritual gifts as superior, at the exclusion of others deemed unimportant. The writer attempts to dissuade the church from overindulgence in certain gifts by proclaiming that the giver of the gifts is God, who distributes these “gifts of grace” according to His desire in the church. Not everyone will receive the same gift because gifts are distributed according to God’s desire. Each individual gift is important for the work of the body as a whole. Without this distribution, the church would not have the capacity to function well. Paul uses the body analogy in explaining the church is a body with various different parts. Not one part can work without the other.

Paul emphasizes an important point in verse 26: “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” When a part of the human body is hurting, it usually requires attention, whether it is a bandage or intervention by a physician. Such is the body of Christ: when one individual suffers, then all individuals in the body suffer with them, requiring compassion, and, sometimes, intervention.

In application, this Scripture supports the idea of a “team concept” of ministry. Not one member has the ability to accomplish the task alone. Only a team effort (and that team effort is in the church) can see that the ministry is accomplished for the greater good. This Scripture also supports intervention ministry in crisis, for “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.” And certainly in extension, a “team” of ministers, working together by coalescing their differing gifts, can make short thrift of any task placed before them, since they are benefiting from a “synergistic” effect.

And yet, our historical Baptist polity has gathered itself along the lines of political expediency and individual ambition rather than Christian community. The advent of “committees” that perform various functions of minutia rather than communities working toward Kingdom goals has always been an issue in the Baptist Zion. Like my friend Geoff, I see many Christians believing that buying flowers for the sanctuary is performing a work for Christ rather than witnessing and ministering to others in need. Of course, like all “committees,” those that are placed upon them are because the person “wants to be on it” despite their personal spiritual gift, or for reasons of expediency – they are the only ones we can find who will not say no.

It is upon this principle in which I believe the next Baptist reformation will stand. Churches, traditional and non-traditional, who place emphasis on believers in finding their gifts, and then using their gifts in an appropriate ministry setting will providentially prosper. Committees are passé and are a part of an old culture which in many ways is no longer functional.

Now the hard work – encouraging a change in paradigm. In fact, it really is not new. It is based upon the clear teaching of Scripture. I would be interested if anyone has some insight on how this emphasis might go forward in our more traditional churches – or in fact, you just like committees – I would like to hear that too.