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PARTNERING IN MINISTRY
(2 Corinthians 1:11)

Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

How much did you receive from the Lord in the last service you attended?  How much insight, drive and inspiration did you receive concerning the things of God?  How much more focused were you than when you arrived at the assembly of believers?  This should be a concern and goal for us as we enter into the house of the Lord, with a sense of prayer and expectancy.

Today, I have an extreme burden on my heart concerning ministry and our attitude towards it.  If the answer to any of the above wasn't favorable, consider the following.  God has designed ministry so that ALL should have an impact.  At some point in our lives, we may have been deceived to see the individual standing in the pulpit more highly than we ought.  We have a tendency to "distance" ourselves from the work of the ministry -- from an interactive standpoint.  Other than our Lord Jesus Christ, we have no greater example of humility AND exhortations for partnering in ministry than the apostle Paul.  As dynamic as Paul was, he constantly reminded the saints that each individual plays a part in the success of ministry of the word of God.  It goes without saying that without the word of God, we have NO hope whatsoever.  Ephesians 4:11-12 tells of the purpose that leadership in the body of Christ should fulfill.  Coupled with 2 Timothy 3:16 through 4:4, we understand that the hearing, receiving, embracing and enduring the word of God is a must.

Paul solicited prayer on many occasions from those he ministered to in letter.  He asked for prayer that his ministry would be received.  He asked for prayer regarding boldness to deliver the word properly.  He asked for prayer regarding those that would hinder the word of the Lord.  He even solicited prayer about leadership's lifestyle.  We need to take these same examples and put them into practice today, that we might receive from the Lord as He intended.  Consider the following scriptural references:

The success of the individual ministering the word of God during service (and otherwise) is greatly dependent on the entire body of Christ being steadfast in prayer for boldness and free course of the word.  I need your prayers in writing these articles, that my writing might be pleasing in the sight of God.  One of the tricks of the enemy is to get the saints to look at people in leadership more highly than we ought.  If we become guilty of this, it will result in a lack of support.  If there is a lack of support, there will be a lack of productivity.  If there is a lack of productivity, the saints will not be nourished properly.  If the saints aren't nourished properly, the work of Christ and glorifying His name will go lacking.  If the work of Christ and glorying His name goes lacking, the world will see the "nakedness" of the church (already has) and presenting the gospel becomes more difficult.  If presenting the gospel becomes more difficult, more people will be lost.

If we haven't done so before, let's be dedicated to partnering in ministry.   The person in the pulpit (or with the pen) is not self-sufficient. God simply hasn't designed things that way. One person may have the responsibility for the delivery, but we're all in this thing together. The more we tape into "the tree", the more "syrup" we'll get. Our souls, as well as many others, depends on our faithfulness to this concept.  Let's be committed to helping together  . . . with sincere and earnest prayer.

Until next time, keep the word and be blessed.

Reprinted from Remnant Online: Volume 1, Issue 3
"Partnering in Ministry" by Darren W. Hood
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