This is a script for a short video designed to encourage average church members that they have valuable contributions to make in their churches and communities that go beyond the traditional roles of the clergy.
Pastors. They do a lot of difficult and demanding work, and Christians usually admire them for it. Many Christians even think of their pastors as some kind of super-people, specially gifted to be able to do what “normal” Christians are not able to do.
But actually, this is a bit of a misconception. Yes, pastors do have a gift given to them by the Holy Spirit - the gift of pastoring - which should include having a compassionate hearts, good listening skills, wisdom to help give guidance and counsel, and other characteristics like that.
But that’s not the only kind of gift that the Holy Spirit gives to people. Many people who did important work in the early church were just regular, everyday citizens. The reality is that Christianity only grew as fast as is did because all believers had a role to play.
Lydia sold purple fabrics. Dorcas made clothes. They were not pastors, but they had roles to play in the life of the church. This happened because the Christian movement had a new concept: the Priesthood of All Believers. Peter put it this way: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 ESV) Christians are a royal priesthood because we are now the ones who help bring people into the presence of the King.
Here are some spiritual gifts listed in the Bible that are not the obvious or miraculous ones: [Rom 12] Mercy, Teaching [1 Cor 12] Wisdom, Faith, Helping others, Administration [1 Pet 4:11] Speaking, Serving.
Not everyone you meet at church is going to be an Apostle, but everyone who follows Jesus is a disciple. Know your own story of faith. What has God done for you? How have you experienced God? This will give you something to tell others, as well as affirm your own journey for yourself. Stand confidently in the light that God has already given you.
Everyone has a valuable part to play in the ongoing story of Jesus. What gift have you been given? What role might you have to play?
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