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To be successful, organisations of all sizes require active members and diligent leaders. Apostle Peter was referred to as one of the pillars of the infant church and he understood that for the body of Christ to be alive, active and growing it required both good leadership and the God-given gifts active in the members.

Church leadership has an authority from God but also a responsibility to not be Lords over the people but lead by example. There is a balancing act that church leaders are called to walk between guiding, teaching and setting boundaries for worshippers whilst at the same time ensuring that everyone is able to contribute by using their gifts. When either of these aspects do not occur, there will be difficulties.

Jesus confirmed the need for leaders to serve.  Matthew 23:11-12, “Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” At the other end of the scale the church cannot flourish as an absolute democracy where ministers are expected to please everyone.  God has set in place a structure for ministers to be servants of God for the people not the other way around.

To achieve this balance within the Church requires Godly leadership from the ministry but also acknowledgement of gifts within the membership and a willingness to apply those gifts. Mark  13:34, “For the Son of man is as a man taking afar journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.”

Everyone must play their part. Romans 12:4-8, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

The question for us all today is, “What am I doing to apply the gifts and blessings I have received for the welfare of His body, the church?”