Recently, as I was on my way back home for a funeral, I had a few hours to spend with the Lord while I was driving. He and I began a dialogue regarding the church in which my husband and I were installed as Senior Pastors only two weeks ago today. As I was asking Him how we could best care for His children and do the most good, He began to give me a fresh revelation on how we should view the church today.
In the past, I have often viewed the church as a Spiritual Hospital. To me it was a place to go when you were spiritually sick or dying. The church was there to pray with you and to point out the areas in your life that were causing your sickness, resulting in trials and tribulations that most often overwhelmed you and kept you from walking in the abundant life which God promised us in His Word (John 10:10). Although I still believe that the church is a resource for those that are spiritually sick or dying, God began to show me that it is so much more!!
He told me to start looking at the church as an Equipping Center for both the lost and the believers. As such, we come together to receive the tools, teaching and training necessary to combat our enemy and to fulfill the Great Commission as laid out before us in Matthew 28:19-20, when Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age".
In a hospital, you find those who are treated for their illness, and as soon as they are feeling better they are sent home and told to rest and take it easy for awhile. In an Equipping Center, you find those who are eager to learn and receive hands-on training ~ practical application for your daily walk. When you leave an Equipping Center, you are not told to go home and rest. On the contrary, you are told to go out and put what you have learned into action!!
I am so excited for this fresh revelation and for what it means for our church. I know that it will definitely change the way I approach both ministry and teaching. I am excited to see what new lessons the Lord will reveal and how He will best be glorified. Everything that we do is to bring glory and honor to His name.
Do you know Jesus? Have you asked Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life? As we are approaching the Easter holiday, we are reminded not only of Christ's sacrifice on the cross to save us from our sins, but His glorious resurrection as well!! We do serve a risen Savior who is very much alive today. He sits at the right hand of His Father, and one day He will return for His children. Will you be one of them? If you are not sure, I would love the opportunity to visit with you. Please contact me or your local pastor and make sure you know without a doubt that if you were to die today, you would go to Heaven. God Bless!!
