BUILD UP THE CHURCH

BUILD UP THE CHURCH

Eph. 4:11-13 He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full-grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. NLT

      The Lord calls and equips leaders in the Church for the purpose of building up the church in faith and unity.  Every church leader should be a disciple-maker.  There should be no conflict of purpose.  It is God’s desire that every believer grows into maturity of faith and He selects certain disciples to lead the way.

     The responsibility God places on church leaders is to equip God’s people to be workers in the Kingdom.  It is their task to build up the body of Christ.  They are to unite the body around Christ so that as one they will be Christ in the flesh in the world.

       Sadly, there is way too much tearing down rather than building up of the body of Christ.  There are those in leadership who have personal agendas rather than Christ’s.  Some assume leadership without maturity of faith and do not have the understanding to avoid error in teaching.  Some leaders lack maturity of faith and are prone to be reactive rather than overcomers in the tough times of church life.  Some live lives that disqualify them from leadership roles.  Many need leading instead of trying to lead others.  Some leaders are leaders because of being popular with man without the direction or approval of Christ.

      Church leaders will either make or break the church’s witness in the community they serve in.  They will impact lives either for or against faith in Christ.  Leaders should be proven faith walkers and examples to be followed because of their godly lives.

      In order for the body of Christ to grow and become strong in faith and witness, she needs to be discerning about whom she allows to lead her.  There should never be a question concerning the calling of God on her leaders.  There should never be a question concerning their ability to lead others into spiritual maturity; they should always lead others to Christ and not away from Him.  There should never be a question about the way the faith they teach and proclaim affects their living.  People learn how to live by faith from those who are living the faith.  There should never be a question about where their loyalties lie; the Lord must always be first in their lives.

       If you are a church leader, live up to your calling; lead with integrity of heart and faith always.  If you are not a church leader, pray faithfully for those who are.  Without prayer support, no one can lead effectively or successfully. 

       Prayer should be the shield surrounding every leader in the church.