"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly..." Romans 12:6 (NASB)
Let this be an encouragement to exercise your gifts. And since this exhortation is directly from the Scriptures to the believers, no human mediator is necessary to give you permission; whether from pastors, missions boards or church committees.
Amen!
Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think it is a difficult job sometimes for pastors to judge just what teaching they can allow among the body. I personally am open to having varied teachings within one body. This would more accurately reflect how the people think anyway! Or do the pastors hold the corner on truth? Fro example, I don't think it is devisive to teach what believer baptism is and what paedobaptism is in the same congregation. It is the attitudes of the people that create division over non divisive issues. We could divide over what kind of bread to use or juice/wine to use for communion if we wanted to! I wouldn't be surprised if that has happened before.
And is the church required to give equal time/exposure to all ministries of the people in any given assembly? While I don't believe that is the case, I also think the leaders of any body need to be extra diligent that the sponsored/supported ministries aren't just all ministries they are interested in or that they personally thing are best for the congregation or that come about from them, whether by suggestion, direct action or for example, all the missionaries supported being the pastors' buddies.
This is getting longer than your blog entry to start with!
See ya,
Dale